There are three Enrollment Periods:

(1) Initial Enrollment:
The Initial Enrollment Period, which is the 7 months around the time you turn 65 years old. It begins three months before your birthday, continues the month of your birthday, and ends three months after your birthday.

(2) Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period:
The annual Open Enrollment Period can be another chance to sign up for those who missed Initial Enrollment or would like to change coverage. It begins on October 15 and ends on December 7.

(3) Special Enrollment:
The Special Enrollment Period is available for those who missed the other two enrollment periods. To qualify for Special Enrollment, you must have recently experienced special circumstances. These include changing where you live, losing your current coverage, being offered other coverage (such as employer-based coverage), your current plan losing its contract with Medicare, and various other special situations.

Medicare Advantage Plans — also known as Part C Plans – are offered through private insurance carriers, and can be a great way to get additional health coverage. Depending on your medical needs, these plans can help you find affordable coverage for out-of-pocket health care costs. By law, all Medicare Advantage Plans include your Original Medicare benefits. What this means is you get your Parts A & B benefits, plans many include additional plan benefits, all in one convenient plan. Additional benefits may include more plan benefits, including prescription drug coverage, routine dental, routine vision, and more. What are Medic

A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy is health insurance that can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. Private insurance companies sell Medigap policies.

Medicare Part D Plans are offered by private insurance carriers to provide those with Original Medicare additional prescription drug benefits. Original Medicare only includes drug coverage when hospitalized. Medicare Part D Plans provide coverage at the pharmacy or for outpatient care — possibly reducing the amount you pay for prescription medication. Medicare Part D Plans can be purchased separately or included as part of your Medicare Advantage PLan. When purchased separately, they are known as Standalone Prescription Drug Plans (SPDPs). These types of plans are for those who have Original Medicare, or have Original Medicare with MediGap. When purchased as part of a Medicare Advantage Plan, they are known as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPDPs).