Your Medicare 2023 Enrollment Dates Complete Guide

We prepared this Medicare 2023 Enrollment Dates Complete Guide to help you with this year’s enrollment. It helps Medicare newbies and people who are already enrolled in a plan.

We understand that Medicare matters can get quite complicated. It is better to get help understanding Medicare before you sign up for a plan. With our assistance, you can make an informed decision on your Medicare plan.

Medicare 2023 Enrollment Dates

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period 2022 (IEP)

Before you can sign up for a plan, you must sign up for Medicare. Usually you can do this on-line. However, sometimes you may have to make an appointment and visit a Social Security Office.

Call 1-800-MEDICAR

Go to your SSA.gov

Go to Medicare.gov

Once that is completed, you can sign up for a plan.

Start: 3 months before the month you turn sixty-five.
Ends: 3 months after the month you turn sixty-five.

This is the earliest time you can enroll in Original Medicare (as known as Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Your Initial Enrollment period lasts for seven months. It begins 3 months before you turn sixty-five, includes your birth month, and goes for another 3 months. Once you reach three months beyond age sixty-five, special issues apply. Please call us so that we can help guide you through any of these special issues.

If you qualify for Medicare due to disability, this period is around the third year of your disability benefits.

Medicare Open Enrollment Period 2023 (Annual Enrollment) (Fall Enrollment) (AEP)

You can sign up for a plan, switch plans, or leave a plan.

Starts: October 15, 2022
Ends: December 7, 2022

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Open Enrollment Period. You could do it if you chose not to enroll in an Advantage plan or stand-alone prescription drug coverage during your IEP.

This enrollment happens from October 15 to December 7 every year. In this period, you can:

• Enroll in, disenroll from or update a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Enroll in, disenroll from or update a Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
• Plan changes you want to make during the Annual Enrollment Period for 2023.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period 2023 (SEPs)

You can switch plans or sign up for a plan.

Starts: Depends on your situation.
Ends: Depends on your situation.

You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) depending on your life events. You can update your coverage if certain situations happen.

These periods to make changes are Special Enrollment Periods. The rules about when you can make changes and the type of changes you can make are different for each SEP.

Some of the events that can provide you a chance to enroll or switch plans are:

• If you change where you live.
• If you lose your job-based coverage.
• If you lose your COBRA coverage.
• If you have the chance to enroll in other coverage offered by your employer.
• If you enrolled in a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
• If your plan changes its contract with Medicare.
• And some other specific special situations.

General Enrollment Period

You can sign up for Medicare parts A or B (only if you did not sign up when first eligible for a special enrollment period).

Starts: January 1, 2023
Ends: March 31, 2023

If you did not sign up for Medicare during your Initial Period and you are not eligible for a Special Period, you can still enroll. The next opportunity you can enroll is during the Medicare General Enrollment Period.

This period lasts from January 1 to March 31 every year. You can only sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B during this period, and your coverage will start on July 1, 2023.

Be aware of the Late Enrollment Penalty

If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B during your Initial Period but decide to later in life, you will have to pay a fee.

As a penalty, your Medicare Part B premium could go up 10% for each year that you were eligible for Part B but did not sign up. You will have to pay the penalty for the rest of your life if you remain enrolled in Part B.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Medicare Part C)

You can: Switch between Medicare Advantage plans or leave a Medicare Advantage plan.

Starts: January 1, 2023
Ends: March 31, 2023

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period starts January 1 and ends March 31 every year. During this period, you can switch Advantage plans or leave a plan – and return to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). However, you are only allowed to make one change per year during this period.

When you are eligible to enroll in Medicare, you also are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. To be eligible for Medicare Part C, you must already have Part A and Part B.

If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Period, you could change to another plan or switch back to your Original Medicare. You only can do so within the first 3 months that you have Medicare.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) Enrollment

Starts: when you are eligible to enroll in Original Medicare (parts A and B).

Once you are eligible to enroll in Original Medicare, you also can enroll in a Medicare Part D – for a prescription drug plan. If you want Medicare prescription drug coverage, you have two options:

1. Enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage,
2. Or enroll in a Medicare Part D stand alone prescription drug plan (PDP).

Also keep in mind, that if you do not have credible prescription drug coverage for over 60 days, there is a penalty of 1% for each month you lack credible coverage.

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) Enrollment

Starts: as soon as you are age 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

The six first months that you are sixty-five and in Medicare Part B are your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

You should apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance during this time window. This way, insurers cannot reject you or charge you a higher fee for a pre-existing condition.

If you have already had a Medicare Advantage plan for less than 12 months, you may also apply for a Medicare Supplement plan. However, you must accepted by passing Medicare’s approval process which is based on your medical history. If you need more information on how this works, we’d be happy to assist you.

If you do not sign up for a Medigap plan during your Medigap Enrollment Period, you still can buy one at any time. But insurers can consider your health when setting your premiums or deciding to accept you.

Medigap and Advantage plans are different. But you cannot have a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

When is My Effective Date Following the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

If you enroll in a policy during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, coverage starts next month following your request. For example, requests in January become effective on February 1. Applications in February become effective March 1.

We understand that Medicare can get quite complicated. It is better to get help understanding Medicare before you sign up for a plan. With our help, you will have in-depth health insurance knowledge of the benefits offered by basic and supplement plans.

Here at Florida Health Agency, our Medicare Experts provide FREE information and recommendations so you can choose the plan that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and pocket. Please give us a call today or click below to schedule an appointment with one of our health insurance experts.