Enrolling in Medicare and enrollment periods

If you live in Minnesota, here are some basics on how to enroll in Medicare and the different enrollment periods you need to know about.

Initial Enrollment Period - turning 65

When It Starts: Three months before you turn 65.
When It Ends: Three months after your 65th birthday. This gives you a total of seven months to sign up.

Steps to Enroll:
If you are not getting Social Security benefits and want Medicare, you must enroll.

Online: Go to the official Medicare website at medicare.gov. You can complete your enrollment application there.
By Phone: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help with signing up.
In Person: Visit your local Social Security office to sign up in person. You can find your local office using the Social Security website or by calling.

If you are already getting Social Security benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B the first day of the month you turn 65.

You will receive a Welcome to Medicare packet in the mail three months before your birthday, which includes your Medicare card.

What You Can Do:

Sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) if you prefer an all-in-one plan.
Sign up for a Part D plan to help with prescription drug costs.

Why It’s Important:

Enrolling during this period helps avoid late enrollment penalties and ensures you have coverage when you turn 65.

Initial Enrollment Period - under 65 and disabled

If you are disabled and under age 65, there is a seven-month period surrounding the 25th month you begin receiving Social Security Disability payments. Enrollment time frames are different for people who become eligible because of end-stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

If you are disabled and you have been receiving Social Security benefits for 24 months, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B at the beginning of your 25th month. You will receive a Welcome to Medicare packet in the mail three months before your 25th month of receiving Social Security benefits, which will include your Medicare card.

Other enrollment periods

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment

When It Happens
- October 15 through December 7, every year
What You Can Do:
- Change your Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)
- Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Add or change your Part D prescription drug plan
What to Know:
- Any changes you make during this period will start on January 1 of the following year.
- Review your current plans and make any changes if needed.
- It is important to review your options during open enrollment because plans can change each year. This can include out-of-pocket costs, covered drugs and participating providers and pharmacies.
- You can begin by reviewing your plan options by using the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov. We have created this helpful form that you can use to do your own Medicare research. If you need help, the Senior LinkAge Line is here for you. Give us a call Monday – Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
When It Happens
- January 1 through March 31, 2024
What You Can Do:
Both the annual and the individual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allow Medicare beneficiaries already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan a one-time election to either:
- Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, OR
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare Part A and Part B with or without a Part D prescription drug plan.
  - If you return to Original Medicare, you do not have guaranteed issue rights to purchase a Medigap policy. This means the Medigap company can health screen you and refuse to sell you a policy.
  - If you return to Original Medicare, you can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
- This enrollment period does not allow for Part D changes for individuals enrolled in Original Medicare prior to January 1, 2024.
- Changes to your enrollment will take effect on the first of the month following the month you enroll. For example, if you switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan on Jan. 15, coverage will take effect on February 1.
- If you’re a new Medicare beneficiary who has Medicare Part A and Part B, and you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your initial coverage election period, you can also participate in the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. You have a three-month period during which you can switch plans.
General Enrollment Period
General Enrollment Period
When It Happens
- January 1 through March 31, every year
What You Can Do:
- If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period, you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during this time.
What to Know:
- Coverage starts on July 1 if you enroll during the General Enrollment Period.
- You might have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you did not enroll when first eligible.
Medicare Special Enrollment
Medicare Special Enrollment Periods

Sometimes, Medicare beneficiaries have special circumstances with their Medicare enrollment. To help make sure beneficiaries get their opportunity to enroll in Medicare, there are exceptions that permit this.
For complete information about each exception, known as a SEP, go to Medicare SEP.
When It Happens:
SEPs occur when special situations arise, such as:
- Losing other health coverage, like from an employer or union.
- Moving to a new location or a new plan becoming available in your area.
- Qualifying for extra help with your Part D costs due to low income.
What You Can Do:
- Enroll in Medicare or change your current plan based on your special circumstance.
What to Know:
- SEPs are triggered by specific events and usually last for a few months after the event happens.

Enrolling in Medicare and enrollment periods

Initial Enrollment Period - turning 65

Initial Enrollment Period - under 65 and disabled

Other enrollment periods

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