When Can I Enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan?

To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, also known as Part C, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

There are six enrollment periods you need to know about. You can join a Medicare Advantage plan, like Clover Health, during these enrollment periods:

1. Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the seven-month window when you can first sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B. For most, it’s when you turn 65/entitlement. The 7-month period includes the 3 months before you turn 65/entitlement, the month you turn 65/entitlement, and the 3 months after you turn 65/entitlement.
2. Initial Enrollment Period for Part D (Part D IEP) is the 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after turning 65/entitlement (same as the Initial Enrollment for Part A and Part B). This is the time you can sign up for Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs when you’re first eligible. 
3. Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is from October 15 to December 7, and during this time,you can change your Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Prescription Drug (Part D) plans for the next year.
4. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) from January 1 to March 31. If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Medicare plan or return to Original Medicare.
5. Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is the time outside the other enrollment periods that you may make changes under certain circumstances. Moving outside your plan’s service area is just one example of how you can qualify for an SEP. 
6. Open Enrollment Period for Institutionalized Individuals (OEPI) is available to those staying in a long-term care facility (like a nursing home). You can enroll, switch, or drop coverage anytime during your stay in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home. This period ends two months after you leave the facility.

We want to help you fully understand Medicare Advantage plans so that you can make confident healthcare decisions. Get helpful insights from the Clover Living blog, or have your questions answered on our Medicare FAQ page. 

Don’t wait until the Annual Enrollment Period to start understanding your needs.

Whether you are looking ahead at Medicare for the first time, preparing for the upcoming Annual Enrollment Period, or you have heard about Medicare Advantage Plans and are doing research, there’s no better time to understand your needs than this moment. 

Take the time now to explore the benefits and coverage options of Medicare Advantage plans in your state. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Learn More About Clover Medicare Advantage plans in Your State

To learn more about what Clover offers in your state, check out our state-specific Medicare information. 

• Medicare Advantage Plans in New Jersey
• Medicare Advantage Plans in Georgia
• Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas
• Medicare Advantage Plans in Pennsylvania
• Medicare Advantage Plans in South Carolina

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