Medicare enrollment 2024 – Important dates you shouldn’t miss
When you first become eligible for Medicare (you turn 65, or you are disabled), you have an Initial Enrollment Period of seven months (3 months before and after you become eligible) to add additional Medicare health care coverage. You may add a Medicare advantage plan, supplemental insurance (a Medigap policy) and/or a prescription drug plan for better coverage. You will automatically be enrolled in original Medicare Part A and Part B if you are receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
Plan changes can only be done at specific times during the year.
Important dates to enroll in, switch or cancel a Medicare plan for 2024 are:
- October 15 through December 7, 2023 – Open enrollment period for Medicare advantage plans (Part C) and prescription drug coverage plans (Part D). During this time, you are able to join a Medicare Part C or D plan. Your plan will take effect on January 1, 2024. If you already have a Medicare plan, this is the time to re-evaluate your health care needs and compare them to your current plan benefits. It is advisable to compare your current rates and coverage to other Medicare plan options on the market, so you can make an informed decision whether it is better to keep your current plan, or change your coverage. If you decide to stay with your current plan, there is no further action required to renew it. If you do not make any changes or don’t enroll in a new plan during this period, you can’t do any changes to your coverage before October the following year.
- All year Special Enrollment period for 5-Star Medicare advantage plans – You can switch to a 5-star Medicare advantage plan once during any time of the year.
Visit www.medicare.gov to get detailed and current information about your Medicare eligibility and enrollment options, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY 1-877-486-2048.
