Important Medicare plan dates to remember
When can I join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
(1) Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period - If you currently have Medicare Part A (hospital and inpatient coverage) and / or Medicare Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage), you can enroll or re-enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) or Medicare Advantage plan with prescription coverage (MAPD) during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (AEP) starting on October 15 through December 7 of each year and your newly-chosen Medicare plan coverage begins on January 1 of the following year.So, for the 2026 Medicare Part D Plans, you can enroll between October 15, 2025 and December 7, 2025. And your new 2026 Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan will begin January 1, 2026.
(2) Initial Enrollment Period - When you turn 65 or first become eligible for Medicare, you will be granted an Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) with a seven (7) month window of time to enroll into a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan and avoid any possible Late-Enrollment Penalty.
The 7-month IEP starts three (3) months before the month of your Medicare eligibility (for instance, your 65th birthday month)
- includes the month of your Medicare eligibility (e.g. the month you turn 65)
- and, then the three (3) months after the month you become eligible for Medicare.
During the IEP, your Medicare plan coverage will begin either on the first day of your Birthday month or, if you join a Medicare plan during or after your Medicare-eligibility month, plan coverage will begin on the first day of the month after the month in which you join.
For example, if you turn 65 on June 10th, you can enroll into a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan anytime during March, April, or May with Medicare plan coverage starting June 1st. You can also join a Medicare plan June, July, August, or September with plan coverage beginning the first day of the month after enrollment.
TIP Please note, to ensure the smoothest possible transition into your new Medicare Part D plan, try to enroll before the middle of the month - this allows time for the processing of your enrollment application and the receipt of all your new Medicare plan information. Also, if you need Medicare Part D drug coverage and/or Medicare Advantage healthcare coverage immediately, enroll into a plan before your Medicare-eligibility month so plan coverage will begin at the earliest possible time.
General Medicare Part D Dates
- October 1st of each year - Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and Medicaer Advantage plan Marketing Activities can begin for the next
year’s plan. At this time, you will be able to gather information about available plans in your area and evaluate the various Medicare plan alternatives.
Please note, no enrollment applications may be accepted before October 15th for Medicare plans starting in the new year (ex: On October 1, 2026,
we will begin showing plan information for the plans that will become effective January 1, 2027).
The only enrollments that can be accepted before October 15th are those for people becoming eligible for Medicare (such as, turning 65) who want to enroll in a
current year Medicare plan or for Medicare beneficiaries using a
Special Enrollment Period to change
Medicare plans during their current year plan (such as a Medicare/Medicaid eligible beneficiary).
- October 15 to December 7 of each year - During the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period
(AEP) you have the opportunity to join,
change or drop a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage for the new plan year (your enrollment decision will take effect January 1st of the new year ).
If you already have a Medicare Part D plan, this is your time to make a decision for your Part D or Medicare Advantage plan coverage next year.
If you like your current Medicare plan, and understand how your plan is changing next year, you do not need to make any enrollment during the AEP. If you do not enroll into another Medicare plan, you will remain in the same Medicare plan as this year - along with any plan changes. So you do not need to take any action to keep your same Medicare plan for another year - assuming that your plan is being offered next year. It is possible that you plan will be discontinued or that you will be automatically moved or "crosswalked" to anther plan next year - so be sure to check any information you receive from your current Medicare plan about plan changes next year. - January 1 of each year - Your new Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan becomes effective and you will be able to begin using your new Medicare plan benefits.
- January 1 to March 31 of each year - During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
(MA-OEP), people currently enrolled
in a Medicare Advantage plan can change Medicare Advantage plans - or drop their Medicare Advantage plan, return to original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage,
and join a stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP).
- At any time from January 1 to November 30 of each year - People becoming Medicare-eligible (turning 65) can use their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to join a current-year Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan. In certain circumstances, Medicare beneficiaries can use a Special Enrollment Period to join or change their Medicare plan to a current- year Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.