FGIA Helping You Understand

Medicare Enrollment Periods in 2025

Let one of our Louisiana Licensed Insurance Agents help you today.

When can I enroll for Medicare?

You’re most likely aware of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period known as AEP that occurs each Fall. Did you know that there are more than 20 Medicare enrollment periods throughout each year that may allow you to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan? 

Let’s review each of these periods to help you get a better idea of how the events work. Remember, each period is based upon unique qualifying factors, and the effective date of your coverage will depend on the rules of the specific enrollment period listed here on this page. 

Let’s take a closer look at the enrollment period, so you can be confident that you understand your options.

OEP

OEP offers Medicare Advantage plan members an opportunity to make a one-time change to your Medicare Advantage plan or switch back to Original Medicare. If you missed the chance to adjust change your Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period in 2024, or if you are dissatisfied with your current choice, you would make that change during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP).

Please note: The Open Enrollment Period, (OEP),  is only for people who are already on a Medicare Advantage plan.

Let one of our Louisiana Licensed Insurance Agents help you today. 

ICEP

Initial Coverage Election Period

ICEP is for Medicare Advantage. 

Happy Birthday, you’re turning 65! 

Around your 65th birthday you have a 7 month period called Initial Election Period (IEP) to sign up for Original Medicare Parts A and B. Your IEP Period details are next. Stay with us here as the information can get confusing. 

Once you have enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B within the 7 month period, you will be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

However, if you delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B, your Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP) is only three months before your Part B coverage begins.

What does this mean exactly? This means that you will want to fill out your Medicare Advantage enrollment application within the three months before your Medicare Part B begins. Your Medicare Advantage plan will be effective during the same month your Medicare Part B begins.

Let’s review the difference between IEP and ICEP?

IEP: The Initial Enrollment Period is when you can first sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

ICEP: The Initial Coverage Election Period is when you can first enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Let one of our Louisiana Licensed Insurance Agents help you today.

SEP

Special Enrollment Periods

Let’s move on to Special Enrollment Periods. You may be wondering what happens if you experience a major life change, such as losing your insurance coverage or relocating. It is important to know that there are more than 20 Medicare Special Enrollment Periods throughout the year.  During these Special Enrollment Periods, it may be possible to enroll in a plan or change your current plan. 

To see if you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, keep reading for a listing of some of the situations that could apply. 

• You are Moving
  If you move out of the plan’s service area (change parish/county), you may be able to switch plans the month before you move and for two months after. If you tell your plan after you move, you can switch plans the month you tell your plan and for two more months.
• You are Leaving a facility
  If you leave a nursing home or rehabilitation hospital, you can join or switch plans.
• You are Returning to the U.S.
  If you return to the U.S. after living abroad, you can join or switch plans for two months after you return.

Veterans

• You are a Veteran of the U.S. 

• Veterans can enroll in Medicare once they become eligible, even if they have VA benefits or TRICARE.

• Veterans can choose to keep VA benefits and enroll in Medicare Part A without Part B.

• Veterans can also choose to keep VA benefits only without enrolling in.

Annual Enrollment Period

The Annual Enrollment Period lets you make changes like:

• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
• Join or change a Medicare Advantage plan
• Join or change a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan

Changes made during the Annual Enrollment Period take effect on January 1 of the following year. 

We hope this information has been helpful, but we also realize it can be overwhelming to understand at times. Our team of Louisiana Licensed Insurance Agents are here to discuss your specific situation. 

Let one of our Louisiana Licensed Insurance Agents help you today.