What is a Medicare enrollment period?
If you’re signing up for Medicare benefits for the first time, you may be confused by the multiple enrollment periods Medicare offers. Each enrollment period has different dates for many reasons. The Medicare enrollment periods include:
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Initial Election Period (IEP): For many people, this begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after.
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Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP): Begins 3 months before you become eligible for both Part A and Part B.
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Annual Election Period (AEP): Available each year from Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 to any Medicare eligible recipient who wishes to make a change to their coverage.
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Special Election Period (SEP): SEPs enable a beneficiary to make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage when certain situations or events occur.
If you plan to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your first opportunity is during your Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP).
How do I sign up for Medicare?
If you already get Social Security benefits, you do not need to sign up for Medicare. We will automatically enroll you in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) when you become eligible. We will mail you the information a few months before you become eligible.
Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down. However, if you decide to sign up for Part B later, your coverage can be delayed and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Residents of Puerto Rico or foreign countries will NOT automatically receive Part B. They must elect this benefit.
If you don’t get Social Security benefits and are not ready to apply for them yet, you should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. The easiest way to apply for Medicare is by using our online application or you can make an appointment by calling us at 1800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information read our Medicare publication.
When can I enroll in health insurance in Florida?
The open enrollment period for individual/family coverage runs from November 1 to January 15 in Florida.
Outside of that window, enrollments and plan changes are only possible if you qualify for a special enrollment period. In most cases, special enrollment periods are linked to a qualifying life event, although there are some special enrollment periods (such as the enrollment opportunity for Native Americans, or for people earning under 150% of the poverty level) that do not depend on a specific qualifying event.
If you have questions about opportunities to enroll in health coverage, you can learn more in our guide to open enrollment and guide to special enrollment periods.
Can I buy dental insurance through the Florida Health Insurance Marketplace?
13 insurers currently offer dental plans through the Florida Marketplace. Learn about dental coverage options in Florida.
Can I get health coverage outside Open Enrollment?
Outside Open Enrollment, you can only get health insurance 2 ways:
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With a Special Enrollment Period. You can qualify if you lose job-based coverage, have a baby, get married, or have certain other life changes, or based on estimated household income.
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Through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can apply any time and can enroll immediately if you're eligible.
Think you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period? Answer a few quick questions to find out.
Where can I find 2023 Marketplace plans and prices?
Answer a few quick questions to preview plans with personalized price estimates before you apply.
How do I report changes to my income, family, or address?
You can report changes to the Marketplace 3 ways: online, by phone, or in person — not by mail. Learn how to report changes.
How do I submit documents?
You can upload the documents online, which is the fastest and easiest way to get them processed. You can also choose to mail copies.
What is a term policy?
Term life insurance policies offer coverage for a specified amount of time, typically anywhere from 10 to 30 years. Term life insurance offers a death benefit, which is intended to help your beneficiaries replace your income if you pass away.
What is a graded benefit life insurance policy?
A graded benefit life insurance is method insurance carriers use to offer coverage for individuals who aren’t in the best of health and otherwise may not qualify for coverage by limiting the death amount payment should they die in the first two or three years.
For instance, if you bought $10,000 in coverage, a company will pay 40% if you died in the first year, 75% in the second year, and only in year three onwards will your beneficiaries be entitled to the full amount. When buying this type of coverage, you need to proceed with caution and first try to get a level benefit plan, which has no waiting period.
What is a death benefit?
Life insurance death benefit is the amount of money the insurance company pays the designated beneficiaries upon the insured’s death, provided the policy was in force at the time of the incident.
What is a beneficiary?
A life insurance beneficiary is an individual, entity, trustee, or estate named by the policy owner to collect the death benefit proceeds upon the insured’s death. There are two types of beneficiaries:
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Primary beneficiary: The first one in line to collect the death benefit upon the insured’s death.
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Contingent beneficiary: Also known as a secondary beneficiary, is the second one in line to collect the benefit if the primary beneficiary is deceased.