Medicare Enrollment Periods

If you don't know anything else, the one thing you should be aware of are the important dates surrounding the Medicare enrollment cycle.

For more information about enrollment periods, contact us to schedule a face to face meeting with a PSHP representative.

Medicare has several enrollment periods that are important to understand. These include the Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP), Annual Election Period (AEP), Open Enrollment Period (OEP) and Special Enrollment Periods (SEP).

Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP) - refers to the time when you are first eligible for Medicare (at age 65 for most people).

Annual Election Period (AEP) - occurs between November 15 and December 31 each year. This is the time of year you can switch coverage with no restrictions. You may join or leave a Medicare Advantage Plan and you can add or remove prescription drug coverage. Any changes in coverage that you make during the AEP become effective January 1st of the following year.

Open Enrollment Period (OEP) - starts January 1 and ends March 31 every year. During this time you have the opportunity to enroll in a different plan. While you are allowed to change plans, you may not elect to add or remove Part D coverage.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) - There are a number of circumstances that could create the need to change coverage. The SEP provides the opportunity to change plans due to circumstances like relocating outside a Plan's service area, becoming disabled, or if you feel like you enrolled in a plan based on receiving misleading information.