02/20/2026
Medicare's Fall Enrollment Period (OEP/AEP) gets a lot of limelight. However, there are two other enrollment periods that are "now open" that may be useful for people with Medicare: The January 1 to March 31 period is known as the Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP) for those signing up for the first time, and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) for those already in a Medicare Advantage plan. It can be an important opportunity for specific changes or initial sign-ups.
Also, it's important for people entering Medicare eligibility to pay attention to their one-time, seven-month window, Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) centered on their 65th birthday: three months before and three months after.
*Special Enrollment Periods are triggered by specific life events, such as moving to a new area or losing employer-based health insurance. These windows let you get coverage without incurring late penalties if you act within the required timeframe.
If you have questions or need help understanding when you can join or switch Medicare, don’t hesitate to talk to a SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor for personalized guidance. Find them at shiphelp.org/SHIPS
