Key dates

…am on Parts A and B only or a Medicare supplement plan, but NOT a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan.

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan. Coverage takes effect Jan. 1.

You cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone Part D plan at this time.

…am on a Medicare Advantage plan WITH Part D prescription drug coverage.

You can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage, change to a Medicare Advantage plan without Part D coverage, or disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan and join a stand-alone Part D plan. Coverage takes effect Jan. 1.

You can disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare. You are also allowed to purchase a stand-alone Part D plan if you are making this change.

…have recently become or soon will be eligible for Medicare.

If you become eligible for Medicare through age or disability, you have a seven-month window for enrollment in Medicare Advantage and Part D plans: the month you become eligible, the three months prior, and the three months after. If you apply for a Medicare supplement, there is a six-month window from your eligibility date to enroll in a supplement without completing a health questionnaire. If you do not enroll within this time period (unless you have other non-Medicare coverage), you may have special limitations on when you can apply and you may incur cost penalties.