What Is the Medicare General Enrollment Period?

Updated on October 4, 2022

Fact checked by J.R. Duren

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Definition

The Medicare general enrollment period is the span of time each year during which eligible people who missed their initial enrollment period can apply for Medicare.

Key Takeaways

The Medicare general enrollment period runs from January 1 and March 31 each year.
The general enrollment period allows those who missed the initial enrollment period to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B.
You may need to pay a late-enrollment penalty if you fail to sign up for Medicare when you become eligible.

How the Medicare General Enrollment Period Works

The Medicare general enrollment period occurs each year from January 1 to March 31. During this time, people who missed the initial enrollment period (IEP) can sign up for Medicare for the first time.

In general, the IEP begins three months before you turn age 65 and lasts for the three months after the month in which you turn 65. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. If you miss this window, you may be able to enroll during the general enrollment period.

Note

For now, after you’ve signed up for Medicare during the general enrollment period, your coverage will begin on July 1. Starting in 2023, your coverage begins the month after you sign up.

Part A and Part B Coverage

Part A coverage provides hospital insurance. It includes skilled nursing facility care, inpatient hospital stays, hospice, and some home health care.

There are two types of Part A insurance: premium and premium-free. Premium-free Part A doesn’t cost anything for those who’ve paid into it for at least 10 years (in general) via payroll taxes. If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can still opt for Part A coverage, but you’ll need to make monthly payments.

Part B Medicare is medical insurance and includes certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical supplies.

The general enrollment period only applies to Part B and premium-based Part A. Most people can sign up for premium-free Part A anytime after they turn 65.

Note

If you sign up late for premium-based Part A or Part B and you’re not eligible for a special enrollment period, you may have to pay a monthly penalty that lasts for years.

Example of How the General Enrollment Period Works

Let’s say you turned 65 in September 2022 and you retired from your job. Amid all the changes and post-retirement lifestyle, you forgot to sign up for Medicare before your IEP ended at the end of December. Since the GEP runs through March 31, 2023, you sign up through the GEP in March, and under the 2023 rules, your coverage starts in April.

Medicare Part B Late-Enrollment Penalty

Now, let’s say you visited a friend in Spain in September 2021 to celebrate your retirement. You had such a good time you decided to stay in Spain through February 2023. You get back to the U.S. in February 2023 and realize you didn’t sign up for Medicare, so you sign up during the GEP.

Because you waited more than a year to sign up for Medicare Part B after you were first eligible, and you aren’t eligible for a special enrollment period, you’ll need to pay an additional monthly late fee. The fee is equal to 10% for each full year you could have signed up for Part B but didn’t (one year, in this case). Your fee is automatically added to your monthly Part B premium, and you’ll pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare Part B.

Note

The monthly premium for Part B insurance changes according to the year and your income. In 2022, the premium ranges from $170.10 to $578.30.

Medicare General Enrollment Period vs. Special Enrollment Period

There are certain situations (“qualifying life events“) through which you’ll qualify for a special enrollment period. During this period, you can enroll in Part B and premium Part A outside of the general enrollment period.

Generally speaking, you’ll qualify for the special enrollment period if you (or your spouse) have health insurance through your job and are still working, are outside the country volunteering, or in specific situations when you have TRICARE.

General Enrollment Period (GEP)	Special Enrollment Period
From January 1 to March 31 each year	Can enroll anytime after turning 65
Monthly penalty of 10% for each year you are late in enrolling in Part B, lasting your lifetime; plus, 10% monthly penalty for premium-based Part A, lasting twice the number of years you are late in enrolling	Waives the late penalty fees
Coverage starts the month after you sign up	Coverage starts the month after you sign up
Can sign up any year during the GEP	Eight months after you lose the insurance you had from a job or you stop working, whichever comes first

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the general enrollment period and when does it occur?

The Medicare general enrollment period is an enrollment window from January 1 to March 31. Generally speaking, it’s designed for people who missed their initial enrollment period and still want to apply.

What are the three enrollment periods with Medicare?

There are three enrollment periods for Medicare: initial enrollment, general enrollment, and special enrollment. In some situations, you may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty if you miss your initial enrollment.

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Sources

The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Medicare.gov. “When Does Medicare Coverage Start?”
Medicare.gov. “Ready To Sign Up for Part A & Part B.”
Medicare.gov. “2022 Medicare Costs.” Page 1.
Medicare.gov. “Avoid Late Enrollment Penalties.”