Medicare General Enrollment Period (GEP)
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) — January 1 to March 31 — is Medicare’s safety net for people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. It gets you enrolled, but it often comes with penalties.
When the GEP applies
If you did not sign up for Part A or Part B when you were first eligible, and you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, the GEP is usually your next opportunity. You enroll between January 1 and March 31, and coverage begins the first of the month after you sign up.
The penalty reality
The GEP gets you covered, but it rarely undoes penalties. If you went without Part B and had no creditable coverage, the Part B late-enrollment penalty — 10% added to your premium for each full 12-month period you could have been enrolled — typically applies for as long as you have Part B. A separate permanent penalty can apply to Part D.
After you enroll
Once your Part A and Part B are active through the GEP, you can add a Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan during the window that follows. If you think you may actually qualify for a Special Enrollment Period instead — for example, because you had employer coverage — confirm that first, since an SEP can let you enroll without the penalty.
Not sure whether the GEP or an SEP applies to you? A licensed advisor can sort it out and help you minimize any penalty — at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the General Enrollment Period?
January 1 through March 31 each year. Coverage begins the first of the month after you enroll.
Who uses the General Enrollment Period?
People who did not sign up for Part A or Part B when first eligible and who do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. It is essentially the fallback for a missed Initial Enrollment Period.
Will I owe a penalty if I enroll during the GEP?
Usually yes. If you went without Part B and did not have creditable coverage, the Part B late-enrollment penalty (10% per missed 12-month period) typically applies for as long as you have Part B.
Can I add a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan after the GEP?
Yes. Once your Part A and Part B are active through the GEP, you can add a Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan, generally during a window that follows your GEP enrollment.
Talk to a Licensed Medicare Advisor
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Get My Free ReviewThis information is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Medicare rules, premiums, and income thresholds change annually — confirm current figures with Medicare.gov, the Social Security Administration, or a licensed advisor. HealthPlan Connect is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program or any government agency. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by Lynsey Brennan, Licensed Medicare Advisor (FL #G007269).