2025 Medicare Enrollment Dates and Medicare Open Enrollment – Medicare Supplement – Click Medigap: Your Complete Guide to Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare has specific enrollment periods that determine when you can sign up for or change coverage. Missing these deadlines can result in late penalties or gaps in coverage. Below is an overview of the key enrollment periods in 2025.

Medicare Enrollment Periods

Acronym	Enrollment Period	What You Can Do	Effective Date
IEP	Initial Enrollment Period (7 months around your 65th birthday)	Sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, C, or D	No sooner than your birthday month (or 25th month of disability benefits)
GEP	General Enrollment Period (Jan 1 – Mar 31)	Enroll in Parts A and B if you missed your IEP and do not qualify for an SEP	Coverage begins July 1
AEP / OEP	Annual Election / Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7)	Join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans	Coverage begins Jan 1
SEP	Special Enrollment Period	Enroll in Parts A, B, C, or D if you had employer or other creditable coverage	Varies (generally within 8 months of losing coverage)
MA OEP	Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31)	Switch Medicare Advantage plans, or return to Original Medicare and join a Part D plan	First day of the month after enrollment
Medigap OEP	Medigap Open Enrollment Period (6 months after enrolling in Part B at age 65+)	Apply for any Medigap plan without medical underwriting	Varies, usually first of the month after applying

Automatic Enrollment

You are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B if you receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before turning 65. Your Medicare card arrives three months before your birthday. You can choose to decline Part B if you have other coverage.

Manual Enrollment

If you are not collecting Social Security benefits, you must sign up during your IEP. If you or your spouse are still working with employer coverage, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to avoid penalties.

Enrollment by Condition

Disabilities: After 24 months of Social Security disability benefits, you’re automatically enrolled in Parts A and B.
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease): Enrollment starts the same month disability benefits begin — no 24-month wait.
ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease): You must enroll manually; coverage usually begins in your 4th month of dialysis.

Medigap Enrollment

The best time to apply for a Medicare Supplement plan is during your 6-month Medigap OEP. During this window you cannot be denied coverage due to health conditions. You cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time.

State-Specific Medicare Resources

Enrollment rules and Medigap protections vary by state. Select your state below to find local resources, counseling programs, and assistance options:

Find Medicare Help in Your State

Browse official counseling programs (SHIP), insurance departments, savings programs, and Medigap notes.

Alabama

Alabama Medicare & Medigap Overview

Learn about Medicare enrollment periods, Medigap rules, and coverage options in Alabama.

Medicare Enrollment Periods

Automatic Enrollment

Manual Enrollment

Enrollment by Condition

Medigap Enrollment

State-Specific Medicare Resources

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