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Before picking your plan, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared to enroll in
one. That includes confirming your eligibility and marking your calendar with
important enrollment deadlines. Plus, you can see when you’ll be able to switch plans.
Are you eligible for Medicare?
You may be eligible for Medicare if you meet the following requirements. ¹
You must be a US citizen or permanent legal resident for at least five years
PLUS one of the following
You are age 65 or older
OR
You have received Social Security disability for at least two years¹
OR
You have Lou Gehrig's disease or permanent kidney failure
When can you enroll or make a plan change?
The enrollment window depends on your specific situation—
use the charts below to determine when you can enroll.
Whether you’re turning 65 or are new to Medicare for another reason, we have the answers to your enrollment timing questions.
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
When can I enroll?
You will become eligible for Medicare the month of your 65th birthday. Your 7-month initial enrollment window will start three months before the month of your 65th birthday and last until three months after your birth month. You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B and if you so choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through a private insurance company during this time.
What do I need to do?
In most cases you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and Part B if you're already receiving Social Security. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to your birth month. If you receive social security payments, you can choose to have your part B premium deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan any time within your 7-month initial enrollment window.
When will my coverage start?
If you sign up during the first 3 months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If you sign up the month of your birthday or within the three months after it, your coverage will begin the next month.
When can I enroll?
Most people take Original Medicare Part A when it is available, but some people choose to delay enrollment in Original Medicare Part B. This is most often due to having coverage through their job or a spouse’s employer. Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have 8 months to enroll in coverage and if you so choose, enroll in a private insurance Medicare plan.
What do I need to do?
You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.
When will my coverage start?
In most cases your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll.
When can I enroll?
If you have been receiving disability insurance payments from social security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.2
What do I need to do?
You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you receive social security payments, you can choose to have your Part B premium deducted from your check once your coverage starts.
When will my coverage start?
Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will become effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will be able to sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time your coverage will start July 1. Depending on your situation you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare plans at this time and could have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also be required to pay late enrollment penalties unless your current coverage type waived you from this fee.
If you’re switching to a new plan
Those who already have a Medicare plan can switch during the
following times each year:
Who can enroll?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan for the first time, or switch plans during this period. You can also drop your plan altogether and return to Original Medicare during this time.
What do I need to do?
You may want to contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan if you have one.
When will my coverage start?
Your new plan will be effective on Jan 1 of the new year.
Who can enroll?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan for the first time, or switch plans during this period. You can also drop your plan altogether and return to Original Medicare during this time.
What do I need to do?
You may want to contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan if you have one.
When will my coverage start?
Your plan’s coverage will start based on the effective date determined during the enrollment process.
Who can enroll?
During the rest of the year you will need to qualify for a special enrollment period in order to enroll, switch, or drop a plan. Some examples of qualifying life events may include, but aren’t limited to, moving to a new service area, losing your current health coverage, or a change to your current plan.
What do I need to do?
If you believe you may qualify for a special enrollment period and wish to switch plans you should contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan, if you are eligible for a special enrollment period.
When will my coverage start?
Your plan’s coverage will start based on the effective date determined during the enrollment process.
If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be able to join, switch, or drop your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug coverage one time each quarter (Jan – March; April – June; July – September). If you choose a new plan during this time, it will become effective the first day of the following month. If you make a change during the annual enrollment period (Oct 1– Dec 7), your new plan will become effective on Jan 1.
Whether you’re turning 65 or are new to Medicare for another reason, we have the answers to your enrollment timing questions.
You are turning 65
Those who are about to turn 65 or just turned 65 are eligible for the Initial Enrollment Period.
When can I enroll?
You will become eligible for Medicare the month of your 65th birthday. Your 7-month initial enrollment window will start three months before the month of your 65th birthday and last until three months after your birth month. You can enroll in Original Medicare Part A and Part B and if you so choose, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through a private insurance company during this time.
What do I need to do?
In most cases you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and Part B if you're already receiving Social Security. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to your birth month. If you receive social security payments, you can choose to have your part B premium deducted from your check once your coverage starts. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan any time within your 7-month initial enrollment window.
When will my coverage start?
If you sign up during the first 3 months of your initial enrollment period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If you sign up the month of your birthday or within the three months after it, your coverage will begin the next month.
When can I enroll?
Most people take Original Medicare Part A when it is available, but some people choose to delay enrollment in Original Medicare Part B. This is most often due to having coverage through their job or a spouse’s employer. Once your employer-sponsored coverage ends, most likely due to retirement, you will have 8 months to enroll in coverage and if you so choose, enroll in a private insurance Medicare plan.
What do I need to do?
You will need to submit an application with Medicare to request enrollment in your Part B coverage.
When will my coverage start?
In most cases your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after you enroll.
When can I enroll?
If you have been receiving disability insurance payments from social security or the railroad retirement board for 24 consecutive months you will become eligible for Medicare at the beginning of your 25th month.2
What do I need to do?
You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. You should receive your Original Medicare card and information in the mail three months prior to month 25 on disability. If you receive social security payments, you can choose to have your Part B premium deducted from your check once your coverage starts.
When will my coverage start?
Your Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage will become effective at the start of month 25 of disability. If you choose, you can enroll in additional coverage through a private insurance company. You will be able pick a plan 3 months before, the month of, and three months after your 25th month of receiving disability benefits.
If you miss your initial enrollment period, you will be able to sign up for Original Medicare Part A and Part B during Medicare’s General Enrollment Period from Jan 1 – March 31 each year. If you sign up during this time your coverage will start July 1. Depending on your situation you may not be able to sign up for private insurance Medicare plans at this time and could have to wait until the next annual enrollment period. You may also be required to pay late enrollment penalties unless your current coverage type waived you from this fee.
Those who already have a Medicare plan can switch during the
following times each year:
Who can enroll?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plan for the first time, or switch plans during this period. You can also drop your plan altogether and return to Original Medicare during this time.
What do I need to do?
You may want to contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan if you have one.
When will my coverage start?
Your new plan will be effective on Jan 1 of the new year.
Who can enroll?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is Oct 15 – Dec 7 each year. Anyone on Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan for the first time, or switch plans during this period. You can also drop your plan altogether and return to Original Medicare during this time.
What do I need to do?
You may want to contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan if you have one.
When will my coverage start?
Your plan’s coverage will start based on the effective date determined during the enrollment process.
Who can enroll?
During the rest of the year you will need to qualify for a special enrollment period in order to enroll, switch, or drop a plan. Some examples of qualifying life events may include, but aren’t limited to, moving to a new service area, losing your current health coverage, or a change to your current plan.
What do I need to do?
If you believe you may qualify for a special enrollment period and wish to switch plans you should contact your sales agent or broker or contact the insurance company you wish to sign up with directly. They will help you get enrolled in your new plan and dis-enrolled in your current plan, if you are eligible for a special enrollment period.
When will my coverage start?
Your plan’s coverage will start based on the effective date determined during the enrollment process.
If you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be able to join, switch, or drop your Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug coverage one time each quarter (Jan – March; April – June; July – September). If you choose a new plan during this time, it will become effective the first day of the following month. If you make a change during the annual enrollment period (Oct 1– Dec 7), your new plan will become effective on Jan 1.
Frequently asked questions about the Medicare Annual Election Period
No, if your plan is still offered for the upcoming year you will not need to do anything to keep your current coverage. As long as you remain eligible, you can decide to automatically renew ypur plan each year.
Your insurance company will send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) in September whether there are changes or no changes to your current plan coming for the next plan year. This letter will detail the changes in coverage, cost, service area, and benefits that will be effective in January. If these changes will no longer meet your needs, you can shop for a new plan during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct 15 – Dec 7.
No, you can enroll or change plans two times a year. First during the annual enrollment period from Oct 1 – Dec 7 and then again during Open Enrollment from Jan 1 – March 31. From April 1 – Oct 1 you will need a special enrollment period to switch plans. If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare.
Whether you are working or not, you will be eligible for your Medicare benefits when you turn 65 or qualify due to disability. The question then becomes whether or not you should I enroll in Medicare and/or stay on your employer’s plan? The answer may be different for Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Starting with Part A (hospital insurance) if you’ve been paying into Medicare via payroll deductions throughout your career you’ll generally pay no premium for this coverage - so you may want to enroll in Part A when you’re first eligible. For Part B (medical insurance), most people will be responsible for the standard monthly part B premium when they sign up ($164.90 in 2024). To determine what option is best for you, talk with your employer or a licensed agent.
The short answer is yes. You are required to have Part D coverage for prescription drugs. For most people this means purchasing a stand-alone Part D Prescription Drug plan or an all-in-one Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan from a private insurance company.. If you don’t enroll in Part D coverage during your initial enrollment period, and you cannot demonstrate creditable coverage was in place during this time, you may be subjected to a late enrollment penalty that may last the entirety of your time on Medicare if you enroll in Part D coverage later on.
According to Medicare.gov, “If you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called “Premium-Part A.”
This only applies if you do not have other existing creditable coverage.
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Prepare for Enrollment
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1 https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/how-do-i-sign-up-for-medicare
2 https://rrb.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/2021%20Railroad%20Retirement%20Handbook.pdf
Plans not available in all areas. Costs, coverage, and benefits vary by location.
This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional.
Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization and a stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract. Humana is also a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal.
Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Humana”) comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, military or veteran status, or religion. Humana does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, military or veteran status, or religion. We also provide free language interpreter services.
Florida residents: FL Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans are sponsored by Humana Medical Plan, Inc. and the State of Florida, Agency For Health Care Administration.
Tennessee residents: NOTICE: TennCare is not responsible for payment for these benefits, except for appropriate cost sharing amounts. TennCare is not responsible for guaranteeing the availability or quality of these benefits. Any reference to more, extra, or additional Medicare benefits, is applicable to Medicare only and does not indicate increased Medicaid benefits.
Ohio residents: For the Humana Cleveland Clinic Preferred HMO and D-SNP plans, other ancillary providers such as labs and durable medical equipment suppliers, and pharmacies are available in our network.
Limitations on virtual visit healthcare and prescription services delivered via remote access technology and communications vary by state. Virtual visit services are not a substitute for emergency care and are not intended to replace your primary care provider or other providers in your network. This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional.
Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Humana members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.
The Humana USAA Honor Giveback plans are available to anyone eligible for Medicare and veterans should consider all of their health plan options.
The Part B Giveback Benefit pays part or all of your Part B premium and the amount may change based on the amount you pay for Part B.
The Humana Premier RX Plan (PDP) and the Humana Value RX Plan (PDP) Prescription Drug Plan pharmacy networks include limited lower-cost, preferred pharmacies in urban areas of AR, CT, DE, IA, IN, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, ND, NJ, NY, OH, RI, SD, TN, WI, WV; suburban areas of CT, DE, HI, IN, MA, MI, MN, MT, ND, NJ, NY, OH, PA, PR, RI, WI, WV; and rural areas of IA, MN, MT, ND, NE, SD, VT, WY. There are an extremely limited number of preferred cost share pharmacies in urban areas in the following states: DE, MI, MN, ND; suburban areas of MT and ND; and rural areas of ND. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, please call Customer Care at 1-800-281-6918 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at Humana.com.
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Last updated: 4/12/2025
