Medicare General Enrollment Period: Dates & Rules

What is the Medicare General Enrollment Period?

The General Enrollment Period, often called the GEP, is a yearly Medicare enrollment window for people who did not sign up for certain parts of Medicare when they were first eligible.

It mainly applies to Medicare Part B, which is medical insurance, and premium-Part A, which is Part A hospital insurance for people who are not eligible for premium-free Part A.

When can you sign up during the GEP?

You can sign up during the General Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31 each year.

For 2026, that means the GEP runs from January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. If you enroll during this period, Medicare says your coverage starts the month after you sign up.

Who should use the General Enrollment Period?

You may need to use the GEP if you missed your Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Common examples include:

You have Medicare Part A but did not enroll in Part B when you were first eligible.
You declined Part B earlier and now want to enroll.
You have to pay a premium for Part A and did not sign up when first eligible.

If you qualify for premium-free Part A, different rules may apply. Medicare says people who do not have to pay a premium for Part A can choose to sign up when they turn 65 or anytime later.

When does Medicare coverage start after you enroll in the GEP?

If you sign up for Part B or premium-Part A during the General Enrollment Period, your coverage starts the month after you sign up.

For example, if you sign up in February, coverage generally starts March 1. If you sign up in March, coverage generally starts April 1.

Will you pay a late enrollment penalty?

You might pay a late enrollment penalty if you did not sign up when you were first eligible and did not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

For Part B, Medicare says the penalty is generally added to your monthly premium and is usually charged for as long as you have Part B. Medicare explains that the Part B penalty increases by 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but did not sign up.

Premium-Part A can also have a late enrollment penalty in some situations. Whether a penalty applies depends on your specific enrollment history and whether you qualified for an exception.

Are there exceptions to using the GEP?

Yes. Some people do not need to wait for the General Enrollment Period because they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. A Special Enrollment Period is a limited time to enroll outside the usual windows, often based on a specific life or coverage event.

For example, people who delayed Part B because they or their spouse had current employer group health plan coverage may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. If you think an exception applies, confirm your timing with Medicare or Social Security before waiting for the GEP.

How do you sign up during the GEP?

Social Security handles most Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment. If you already have Part A and want Part B, Social Security says you may be able to sign up during the General Enrollment Period or through a Special Enrollment Period if you qualify.

If you are unsure whether you need the GEP, check whether you are still in your Initial Enrollment Period, whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, and whether you already have premium-free Part A.

Our Process

From First Meeting to Medicare Enrollment

We begin by helping you understand how Medicare works and how the different pieces fit together. We walk through Original Medicare, Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement insurance, and Part D prescription drug coverage, including how formularies, drug tiers, and plan rules can affect your costs.

We also explain dental, vision, and hearing coverage, along with other products that may help fill gaps in your healthcare plan. Depending on your needs, that may include short-term in-home healthcare coverage, hospital indemnity insurance, or coverage designed to provide additional financial support following a cancer diagnosis, heart attack, or stroke.

Once you understand the landscape, we move into the planning stage. That is when we review your doctors, hospitals, prescription drugs, current coverage, and other personal details so we can begin evaluating the Medicare plan options that fit your situation.

Discovery Meeting

We collect information about your doctors, hospitals, prescription drugs, current coverage, and other important details, then discuss your unique situation and priorities. Start your secure Medicare profile.

Create Your Strategy

We review the information gathered during discovery and develop a Medicare claiming and coverage strategy tailored to your circumstances.

Plan Enrollment

Once you are comfortable with the strategy, we help coordinate the appropriate enrollment steps and timing.

Annual Reviews

Medicare plans, costs, formularies, provider networks, and personal circumstances can change. We conduct annual reviews to help determine whether your current coverage still fits.

Request Medicare Planning Information

Official Sources

When does Medicare coverage start? | Medicare
Verifies that the General Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 and that coverage starts the month after signing up.
When can I sign up for Medicare? | Medicare
Explains Initial Enrollment Period timing, risks of signing up late, and possible Special Enrollment Period eligibility.
Avoid late enrollment penalties | Medicare
Verifies how Medicare late enrollment penalties generally work, including Part B and premium-Part A penalty rules.
Working past 65 | Medicare
Confirms that people with qualifying current employer coverage may be able to delay Part B and use a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I sign up for Medicare Part B if I already have Part A? | Frequently Asked Questions | SSA
Verifies Social Security guidance for enrolling in Part B after already having Part A, including GEP dates and coverage timing.

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