Goodsurance

Enrollment calendar

When you can enroll.

Every enrollment window that matters for Medicare and the ACA Marketplace, who qualifies, what you can do in each, and when coverage starts.

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Medicare

  • IEP

    Initial Enrollment Period

    Around your 65th birthday

    Exact dates
    A 7-month window: the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after.
    Who qualifies
    Anyone aging into Medicare at 65.
    What you can do
    Enroll in Part A and Part B. Optionally enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Part D drug plan. Buy Medigap with guaranteed-issue rights, no underwriting.
    Coverage starts
    If you enroll in the 3 months before your birthday, coverage starts on the 1st of your birthday month. If you enroll in your birthday month or later, coverage starts the month after you enroll.
  • GEP

    General Enrollment Period

    Jan 1 to Mar 31

    Exact dates
    January 1 to March 31 every year.
    Who qualifies
    People who missed their IEP and do not have a Special Enrollment Period trigger.
    What you can do
    Enroll in Part A and Part B (late-enrollment penalty likely applies). You can then enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the parallel MA-OEP for the newly enrolled.
    Coverage starts
    Coverage starts the month after you enroll.
  • AEP

    Annual Election Period (Medicare Advantage + Part D)

    Oct 15 to Dec 7

    Exact dates
    October 15 to December 7 every year.
    Who qualifies
    Anyone enrolled in Medicare.
    What you can do
    Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa. Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. Switch standalone Part D plans. Drop Part D entirely.
    Coverage starts
    Changes take effect January 1.
  • OEP

    Open Enrollment Period (Medicare Advantage)

    Jan 1 to Mar 31

    Exact dates
    January 1 to March 31 every year.
    Who qualifies
    Anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1.
    What you can do
    Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, OR drop back to Original Medicare and pick up a standalone Part D plan. One switch only, second changes are not allowed during this window.
    Coverage starts
    Changes take effect the first of the following month.
  • SEP

    Special Enrollment Period

    When life changes

    Exact dates
    Trigger-dependent, varies from 2 months to 8 months.
    Who qualifies
    Anyone who experiences a qualifying life event: moving, losing employer coverage, qualifying for Extra Help, gaining Medicaid eligibility, leaving a 5-star plan, plan terminating service in your area, and ~20 more.
    What you can do
    Make the same kind of change the underlying period would allow, enroll, switch, or drop. The trigger determines what is allowed.
    Coverage starts
    Varies by trigger.

ACA Marketplace

  • ACA OEP

    Marketplace Open Enrollment

    Nov 1 to Jan 15

    Exact dates
    November 1 to January 15 in most states. A few state-based exchanges run longer.
    Who qualifies
    Anyone not eligible for Medicare who needs individual health insurance.
    What you can do
    Pick or switch ACA Marketplace plans. Confirm or update your subsidy eligibility.
    Coverage starts
    Coverage starts January 1 if you enroll by December 15. Otherwise February 1.
  • ACA SEP

    Special Enrollment Period

    60 days after a life event

    Exact dates
    60 days after a qualifying life event.
    Who qualifies
    Anyone who experiences a qualifying event: losing job-based coverage, marriage, divorce, birth/adoption, moving to a new ZIP, income change that affects subsidy eligibility.
    What you can do
    Enroll in a Marketplace plan or switch your current one. Subsidy eligibility re-evaluated based on the new circumstances.
    Coverage starts
    Varies, typically the 1st of the month after you enroll.