Part D Sign-Up Period: When Can You Enroll in Medicare Part D?

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D is Medicare drug coverage. It helps pay for prescription drugs and is offered through Medicare-approved private plans. You can get Part D in either of these ways:

• A separate Medicare drug plan that works with Original Medicare and certain other Medicare plan types.
• A Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, which combines Medicare health coverage and usually Part D in one plan.

To join a separate Medicare drug plan, you generally must have Medicare Part A and/or Part B. Plan availability depends on where you live.

When can you first enroll in Medicare Part D?

Your first opportunity to sign up for Medicare Part D is usually when you are first eligible for Medicare. For many people, this is the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after that month.

If you enroll before your Medicare coverage starts, your Part D start date may depend on when your Medicare Part A or Part B begins and when the plan receives your enrollment request.

Can you enroll during Medicare Open Enrollment?

Yes. Medicare Open Enrollment runs every year from October 15 through December 7. During this period, people with Medicare can make changes to health or drug coverage, including joining, switching, or dropping Medicare drug coverage when allowed by their current coverage type.

Changes made during this annual period generally take effect on January 1 of the following year. The plan must receive your enrollment request by the deadline.

Can Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment be used for Part D?

It can, but only in limited situations. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31. It is for people who are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

During this period, you may be able to switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare and join a separate Medicare drug plan. This is not a general Part D sign-up period for someone who only has Original Medicare and is not already in a Medicare Advantage plan.

What Special Enrollment Periods may let you sign up for Part D?

A Special Enrollment Period may let you join or change Medicare drug coverage outside the regular annual windows. The rules depend on the event. Examples can include moving, losing certain other drug coverage, losing or gaining Medicaid or Extra Help, or other qualifying situations.

The length of the Special Enrollment Period and what changes you can make vary by circumstance. If more than one Special Enrollment Period may apply, Medicare recommends confirming your options before making a change.

What if you already have other prescription drug coverage?

If you have other prescription drug coverage, such as employer or union coverage, find out whether it is creditable prescription drug coverage. Creditable coverage means it is expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage.

You may be able to delay Part D without a late enrollment penalty if you keep creditable drug coverage and do not go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage. Keep any notices your current plan sends about whether the coverage is creditable.

How do you sign up for a Part D plan?

Before enrolling, compare plans based on the drugs you take, pharmacies you use, premiums, deductibles, and estimated yearly costs. To enroll, you generally need your Medicare Number and the start dates for your Medicare Part A and/or Part B coverage.

You can enroll through Medicare’s plan comparison tool, contact the plan, request a paper enrollment form from the plan, or call Medicare. If you use a paper form, the plan must receive it before your enrollment period ends.

Official Sources