General Enrollment Period (GEP)
What it is: A yearly window to enroll in Part A (if you need to buy it) and/or Part B if you didn’t sign up when you first could.
Who it’s for: People who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
When it happens: January 1 to March 31 each year.
What you can do:
Sign up for Part B.
Sign up for Part A if you’re not eligible for premium-free Part A and want to buy it.
Big watch-out: GEP is often confused with Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (MA OEP), but they’re different. GEP is about getting Part A/Part B. Late enrollment penalties may apply depending on your situation, and coverage start timing can vary based on when you enroll and processing.
Note:
Late enrollment penalties may apply depending on your circumstances.
Time Period
Annual fixed-date window
Approx Time Frame
3 months
Trigger Event
Missed IEP and no qualifying Part B SEP