MA Initial Coverage Election Period
Enrollment Periods – MA Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)
EP MA ICEP Turning 65
•The MA ICEP is the period during which an individual newly eligible for MA may make an initial enrollment request to enroll in an MA plan.
•The ICEP begins three months immediately before the individual’s first entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B and ends on the later of:
The last day of the month preceding entitlement to both Part A and Part B, or
The last day of the individual’s Part B initial enrollment period.
▪ The initial enrollment period for Part B is the seven (7) month period that begins 3 months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirements for Part B and ends 3 months after the month of eligibility.
•During the ICEP:
An eligible individual may enroll in an MA plan.
An individual may also choose an MA-PD when the Part D IEP (i.e., an initial election period for Part D) and MA ICEP occur at the same time.
The individual can make one enrollment choice under the ICEP. Once enrollment is effective, the ICEP is used. (Note, however, that individuals choosing an MA plan during their ICEP have an MA-OEP following their election through the last day of the 3rd month of entitlement.)
•The ICEP for an MA enrollment election will frequently relate to either the individual’s 65th birthday or the 25th month of disability, but it must always relate to the individual’s entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B.
| Part C Initial Enrollment Periods If this describes you… You can… At this time… You’re newly eligible for Medicare because you turn 65. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. During the 7‑month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan during this time, you can drop that plan at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare. You’re newly eligible for Medicare because you’re disabled and under 65. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Starting 21 months after you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. Your Medicare coverage begins 24 months after you get Social Security or RRB disability benefits. Your chance to sign up lasts through the 28th month after you get Social Security or RRB benefits. You’re already eligible for Medicare because of a disability, and you turn 65. ■ Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. ■ Switch from your current Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another plan. ■ Drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan completely. During the 7‑month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. You HAVE Medicare Part A coverage, and you get Medicare Part B for the first time by enrolling during the Part B General Enrollment Period (Januar y 1–March 31). Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Between April 1–June 30. |
| Enrollment Periods – MA Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP) EP MA ICEP Turning 65 •The MA ICEP is the period during which an individual newly eligible for MA may make an initial enrollment request to enroll in an MA plan. •The ICEP begins three months immediately before the individual’s first entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B and ends on the later of: The last day of the month preceding entitlement to both Part A and Part B, orThe last day of the individual’s Part B initial enrollment period. ▪ The initial enrollment period for Part B is the seven (7) month period that begins 3 months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirements for Part B and ends 3 months after the month of eligibility. •During the ICEP: An eligible individual may enroll in an MA plan.An individual may also choose an MA-PD when the Part D IEP (i.e., an initial election period for Part D) and MA ICEP occur at the same time.The individual can make one enrollment choice under the ICEP. Once enrollment is effective, the ICEP is used. (Note, however, that individuals choosing an MA plan during their ICEP have an MA-OEP following their election through the last day of the 3rd month of entitlement.) •The ICEP for an MA enrollment election will frequently relate to either the individual’s 65th birthday or the 25th month of disability, but it must always relate to the individual’s entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B. |
| Part C Initial Enrollment Periods If this describes you… You can… At this time… You’re newly eligible for Medicare because you turn 65. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. During the 7‑month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan during this time, you can drop that plan at any time during the next 12 months and go back to Original Medicare. You’re newly eligible for Medicare because you’re disabled and under 65. Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Starting 21 months after you get Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits. Your Medicare coverage begins 24 months after you get Social Security or RRB disability benefits. Your chance to sign up lasts through the 28th month after you get Social Security or RRB benefits. You’re already eligible for Medicare because of a disability, and you turn 65. ■ Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. ■ Switch from your current Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another plan. ■ Drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan completely. During the 7‑month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. You HAVE Medicare Part A coverage, and you get Medicare Part B for the first time by enrolling during the Part B General Enrollment Period (Januar y 1–March 31). Sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Between April 1–June 30. |
