When can I enroll?
Last updated: April 2026
Medicare has set times of year when you can sign up or change plans. This page shows those patterns. Add your birthday and we will highlight your first big window around age 65. Always double-check your own dates with Medicare, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), or a licensed agent, because rules can vary by person.
Your enrollment calendar
Two big windows repeat every year for almost everyone: fall enrollment and early-year Medicare Advantage changes. The first time you sign up around age 65 follows your own birthday. Type your date of birth below and we will color those months for you next to the yearly pattern.
January 2026
February 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
September 2026
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Sometimes life moves faster than the calendar. You may be eligible for a SEP if you move, lose other coverage, gain or lose Medicaid, or have another qualifying event. Each situation has its own rules and deadlines. Call (347) 696-6757 or send us a message. We can talk through what happened and what to do next. This screen cannot promise a specific window until someone reviews your facts.
Note: Part B also has a General Enrollment period from January 1 to March 31 in some cases. It is not the same as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment rules, even though the months overlap on the calendar. When in doubt, use Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 to December 7
This is the main fall window. Most people can join, switch, or leave a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan. Changes you make here usually start January 1 of the next year.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP)
January 1 to March 31
Already in a Medicare Advantage plan? In this window you may have one chance to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or to leave Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan. Medicare has rules about how many moves you get.
Medicare General Enrollment Period
January 1 to March 31
This window is about signing up for Part B in specific situations. Coverage may not start until July 1. It is not the same thing as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period above, even though the dates overlap on a calendar.
Before you change anything
- Have your current plan name and member ID handy if you are already enrolled.
- Write down each medication, the dose, and how often you take it.
- List the doctors you want to keep. Ask whether they are in the network before you switch.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, read the Annual Notice of Change when it arrives in the fall.
- For the full official list of plans where you live, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 10 organizations which offer Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, PFFS, and PDP plans in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048), or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Prefer the phone? Call us at (347) 696-6757. We are happy to talk it through.
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By submitting this form, you consent to be contacted by a licensed insurance agent from SJM Insurance Services, LLC at the phone number you provided regarding Medicare Advantage, D-SNP, or other insurance options. You are under no obligation to enroll in any plan. Standard message and data rates may apply. Your information will not be shared with other marketing organizations without your explicit consent.
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