Clearview / Medicare guidance / Enrollment windows
When can you change your coverage?
Medicare lets you make changes at set times of year, and after certain life events. Answer a few questions to see the windows that fit you.
Your windows
Answer a question to see your dates.
The main windows
Four kinds of window.
Most people use one of the first three. Special Enrollment Periods cover the exceptions.
- Initial Enrollment
- Seven months around your 65th birthday: the three months before your birthday month, that month, and the three months after.
- Open Enrollment
- October 15 to December 7 every year. Anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or drug plan. Changes start January 1.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
- January 1 to March 31. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- Special Enrollment Periods
- Extra chances tied to events in your life: a move, losing other coverage, living in a care facility, or having Medicaid or Extra Help.
This tool gives general information and does not decide whether you qualify. For official rules, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).