Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

Common events that open an SEP

• Losing employer or union coverage. When your (or your spouse’s) active employer coverage ends, you get an 8-month SEP to enroll in Part B without penalty.
• Moving. Moving out of your plan’s service area — or to a new area with different plan options — opens a window to change plans.
• Qualifying for Medicaid or Extra Help. Becoming dual eligible or qualifying for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy opens SEPs to change drug or Advantage coverage.
• Your plan changes or leaves Medicare. If your plan is non-renewed or loses its Medicare contract, you get an SEP to choose a new one.
• Moving into, living in, or leaving a nursing facility. Institutional residents get ongoing flexibility to change plans.

Deadlines vary by event

Each SEP has its own length. Many last roughly two months from the event or the notice you receive; the SEP for losing employer coverage runs up to eight months for Part B. Because the clocks differ, confirm your exact deadline as soon as the triggering event happens — missing it can send you to the General Enrollment Period and into penalty territory.

SEPs and penalties

The most valuable SEPs protect you from the Part B and Part D late-enrollment penalties. If you delayed Part B because you had creditable employer coverage, enrolling within your SEP keeps you penalty-free. Keep proof of your prior coverage — you may need it to document the SEP.