When to enroll

PriorityMedicare enrollment periods

Initial enrollment period
This is when you join your first Medicare plan. You get Part A automatically.

• For Part B, you can apply for coverage three months before, the month of, or three months after either your 65^th birthday or becoming disabled. During this time you can also join a prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan with Part D coverage.
• If you miss the 7-month window for signing up for Part B or a Part D plan, you can still enroll but you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty in addition to your premium every month you remain enrolled.

The annual election period 
This is the period when you can change plans or change insurance providers.

•  It lasts from November 15 through December 31 each year.
• Coverage takes effect January 1.
• If you want to disenroll from your current plan, you must either write to your plan administrator or call Medicare 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at:
  1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
  Hearing- or speech-impaired TTY/TDD: 877 486-2048

The open enrollment period
This is the period you may be able to make one change to the Medicare plan you selected.

• This period begins January 1 and ends on March 31 of each year.
• The changes you can make are limited and are based on the type of coverage you have as of January 1. Contact Customer Service for details.
  

  616 464-8820 or toll-free 888 389-6648

  8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, 7 days a week

  Hearing- or speech-impaired TTY/TDD: 616 464-8485, or toll-free 888 551-6761

  8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, 7 days a week

Special election period
Under special circumstances you can change health plans or go back to Original Medicare. This includes:

• When you lose your employer-provided coverage
• When you move outside the area your plan covers
• Your plan does something that violates its contract with you
• Your plan no longer meets the standards set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Your plan doesn't renew its contract with CMS
• If you're not sure if you qualify for the special election period, check with CMS.

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