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Know when you're eligible to enroll for Medicare
Learn more about your Medicare options
You are eligible for Medicare benefits if you qualify for Social Security and one of these qualifiers:
You recently moved to the area
You are turning or recently turned 65
You have a chronic health condition
You are losing your retiree health coverage
You are turning 65 and have Medi-Cal/Medicaid coverage
You are 65 or older and a special enrollment period is declared where you live
Age 65 or older and have a spouse entitled to Social Security benefits, even if you are not
Age 65 or older and are the widow/widower of someone entitled to Social Security benefits
Under age 65 and have received Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months
Be sure to sign up when you’re eligible. If you don’t sign up when you’re eligible, you might owe a penalty. Medicare beneficiaries who go for 63 days or more without “creditable drug coverage” must pay a late enrollment penalty. Creditable coverage is prescription drug coverage that meets Original Medicare’s standards.
Have questions about your eligibility? Call 1-800-310-7016 (TTY 711)
Call Us NowUnderstanding Enrollment Periods
There are certain times when you can join a Medicare Advantage plan or make changes to your Medicare coverage. These are called “enrollment periods.”
The Annual Enrollment Period starts October 15 and ends on December 7. During this time period, you can...
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan
- Add or drop Part D coverage
The Initial Enrollment Period is when someone first becomes eligible and can sign up for Medicare. For most people, this is when they turn 65.
It begins three months before your 65th birthday month and lasts three months after your 65th birthday month. For example, if you turn 65 in April, you can sign up in January, February, March, April, May, June or July.
If you sign up in any of the three months before your 65th birthday month, coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month. If you sign up during or after your 65th birthday month, your coverage start date will be the first day of the following month your application is approved.
After your initial coverage starts, you have three months to make a one-time switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare.
You could qualify for a Special Enrollment Period during any month when certain events happen in your life. You may qualify for an SEP if...
- You move
- You are eligible for Medi-Cal/Medicaid
- You move to an institution, like a skilled nursing facility or long term care hospital
- You qualify for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
- You want to switch to a plan with a 5-star overall quality rating
- There are other special circumstances where you may qualify for a special enrollment period. If you have questions, call us at 1-800-310-7016 (TTY 711).
The Open Enrollment Period starts January 1 and ends on March 31. During this period, you can:
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
- Add or drop Part D coverage