Medicare Enrollment Periods: Your Complete Timeline Guide
Understanding Medicare enrollment periods is crucial for Nevada seniors. Missing key deadlines can result in penalties, gaps in coverage, and limited plan options. This comprehensive guide explains every enrollment period, what you can do during each, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Key Takeaways
- Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months around your 65th birthday
- Annual Enrollment (Oct 15 - Dec 7) lets you change plans each year
- Medigap Open Enrollment is only 6 months - don't miss it!
- Special circumstances may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period
In This Guide
Major Medicare Enrollment Periods
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)
7 months total
Your first chance to sign up for Medicare
When: 3 months before, month of, and 3 months after 65th birthday
- •Automatic if receiving Social Security
- •Must actively enroll if not receiving benefits
- •Best time to avoid late penalties
- •Coverage can start as early as the month you turn 65
Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
October 15 - December 7
Change your Medicare coverage for the next year
When: Every year, same dates
- •Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- •Change Medicare Advantage plans
- •Add, drop, or switch Part D plans
- •Changes take effect January 1
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
January 1 - March 31
For current Medicare Advantage members only
When: First quarter of each year
- •Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
- •Go back to Original Medicare (with or without Part D)
- •One-time change allowed during this period
- •Cannot join Medicare Advantage for first time
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Varies
Enroll outside regular periods due to special circumstances
When: Based on qualifying life events
- •Moving out of plan's service area
- •Losing employer coverage
- •Qualifying for Extra Help
- •Plan contract violations
Initial Enrollment Period: Your First Medicare Sign-Up
The 7-Month Window
What You Can Do:
- Enroll in Medicare Part A (usually free if you worked 40+ quarters)
- Enroll in Medicare Part B (monthly premium required)
- Choose Medicare Advantage (Part C) OR Medigap + Part D
- Enroll in standalone Part D if choosing Original Medicare
Coverage Start Dates:
- Enroll months 1-3 (before 65): Coverage starts the month you turn 65
- Enroll in birthday month: Coverage starts the following month
- Enroll months 5-7 (after 65): Coverage delayed 2-3 months
Special Situations
- Still working at 65? You may delay Part B without penalty if you have employer coverage
- Disabled under 65? Different rules apply - contact Nevada SHIP
- COBRA coverage? Not considered creditable - enroll in Medicare to avoid penalties
Annual Enrollment Period (Medicare Open Enrollment)
October 15 - December 7
Every year, without exception
What You CAN Do
- Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
- Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription plan
What You CANNOT Do
- Switch between Medigap plans
- Buy a Medigap policy for the first time (in most cases)
- Enroll in Medicare for the first time
- Drop Medicare Part B (without consequences)
Pro Tips for Annual Enrollment
- • Review your current plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September
- • Compare plans early - don't wait until December
- • Check if your doctors and medications will still be covered
- • Use Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov for comparisons
- • Changes take effect January 1st - no immediate coverage
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)
Life changes may qualify you to make Medicare changes outside of regular enrollment periods. Here are the most common qualifying events:
Moving SEPs
- •Out of service area: Moving outside your plan's coverage area
65 days to notify + 2 months to enroll in new plan
- •New plan available: Moving where new plans are offered
Can switch plans in new area
Coverage Loss SEPs
- •Employer coverage ends: You or spouse retires
8 months to enroll without penalties
- •COBRA expires: Not creditable coverage
Enroll immediately to avoid gaps
Financial SEPs
- •Extra Help qualification: Low-income subsidy
Can change plans once per quarter
- •Medicaid changes: Gain, lose, or change level
Continuous SEP while dual-eligible
Plan Error SEPs
- •Plan contract violation: Misleading information
File complaint with 1-800-MEDICARE
- •Plan terminates: Leaves Medicare program
SEP to choose new coverage
Medigap Open Enrollment: Your One-Time Opportunity
Critical: This is a ONE-TIME 6-month window!
Starts when you're 65+ AND enrolled in Medicare Part B. Missing this window could mean being denied coverage or paying significantly higher premiums.
During Your 6-Month Window
- Guaranteed issue rights - cannot be denied
- No medical underwriting
- Cannot be charged more for pre-existing conditions
- Choose any Medigap plan available in Nevada
After Your Window Closes
- Insurance companies can deny coverage
- May charge higher premiums
- Can require medical underwriting
- May exclude pre-existing conditions
Nevada Medigap Tips
- • Nevada allows "birthday rule" - switch to equal or lesser Medigap plan within 60 days of birthday
- • Plan F no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries (after Jan 1, 2020)
- • Plan G is most popular - covers everything except Part B deductible
- • Compare rates from multiple Nevada insurers - prices vary significantly
Late Enrollment Penalties: What They Cost You
Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
The Penalty:
10% increase in premium for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll
Example:
Delayed 2 years = 20% higher premium FOREVER
$174.70 becomes $209.64/month
Avoid If:
- Have employer coverage (yours or spouse's)
- Employer has 20+ employees
- Coverage is "creditable"
Part D Late Enrollment Penalty
The Penalty:
1% of national base premium × months without coverage
Example:
25 months late = 25% × $34.70 = $8.68/month penalty
Penalty increases each year with base premium
Avoid If:
- Have creditable drug coverage
- Receive Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy
- Have VA or TRICARE coverage
Your Personal Medicare Timeline
Key Milestones by Age
Age 64 + 9 months
Initial Enrollment Period begins - Start researching your options
- • Request Medicare & You handbook
- • Attend Nevada SHIP counseling session
- • Compare Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare
Age 65
Medicare eligibility begins - Enroll if not working
- • Part A starts automatically if receiving Social Security
- • Actively enroll in Part B if still working
- • 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment begins with Part B
Every Year After
Annual Enrollment Period - Review and update coverage
- • October 15 - December 7 annually
- • Review ANOC from current plan
- • Check for changes in doctors, drugs, costs
Common Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid
Missing Initial Enrollment Period
Consequence: 10% Part B premium penalty for each year delayed
Solution: Sign up during IEP unless you have creditable coverage
Not understanding Medigap timing
Consequence: May be denied coverage or pay much higher premiums
Solution: Enroll during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment
Confusing enrollment periods
Consequence: Missing opportunities to change coverage
Solution: Mark your calendar with key dates and deadlines
Forgetting Part D enrollment
Consequence: 1% monthly penalty for each month without coverage
Solution: Enroll in Part D when first eligible
Nevada Medicare Resources
Nevada SHIP
Free Medicare counseling
1-800-307-4444
Nevada Medicare.gov
Official Medicare site
1-800-MEDICARE
Social Security Nevada
Medicare enrollment
1-800-772-1213
Don't Navigate Enrollment Alone
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