Medicare Special Enrollment Period

**Summary:** Having a Medicare Special Enrollment Period allows you to change your coverage when you may otherwise be unable to. You’ll need to experience a qualifying life event to use a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare, but doing so will help you avoid penalties and lapses in coverage. **Estimated Read Time:** 16 mins

1. [What Is a Medicare Special Enrollment Period?]()

2. [What Qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare?]()

3. [What is a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B?]()

Your Medicare Special Enrollment Period, also known as a Special Election Period, is an opportunity to enroll in or change your Medicare coverage when you are experiencing a qualifying life event. While a Medicare SEP is allowed for all beneficiaries, you must have coverage that qualifies and be undergoing a qualifying life event.

For example, if you decide that you are unhappy with your [Medicare Part C]() coverage and want to switch, but it’s outside of the [Medicare Annual Enrollment Period](), you’ll have to wait until the fall. However, if you are moving to a new city that requires you to enroll in a different plan option, you’d be given the opportunity to make changes because of Special Enrollment Period Medicare provides.

Everyone experiences different life changes and shouldn’t have to forgo healthcare coverage because of them. Again, you’ll need to undergo a qualifying event, but if you do, you’ll receive a Special Enrollment Period for Medicare. Starting in 2024, there are even more potential SEPs that will become available.

Medicare Special Enrollment Periods come when a qualifying life event allows you to make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Here are the most common examples that qualify under Medicare special enrollment qualifications:

The SEP Medicare provides here works in a few ways. Those who notify their carrier before moving will receive a Special Enrollment Period that starts the month before they make the move and will last for two months following the completion of the move.

If you wait to tell your carrier until after you move, your SEP begins the month your carrier was notified and will last two more months afterward. Anyone who doesn’t enroll in a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan using an SEP will rely on Original Medicare by default.

If you are no longer receiving coverage from your place of work, here’s how your Special Enrollment Period for Medicare works:

For Part B coverage, you’ll have eight months following the end of your employer’s plan or your time of employment ends.

For beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage or Part D plans, you’ll have an SEP for two months following the conclusion of your coverage.