Special Enrollment Periods (S.E.P.): When Can I Sign Up for Medicare?

If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period or need to change your Medicare plan during the year, you may still have options through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

These are life events or special circumstances that allow you to sign up or switch Medicare plans outside the usual windows—and they can help you avoid coverage gaps or penalties.

At Emerald Medicare, we walk clients through these exceptions every day. Here are the most common SEPs you should know about.

If you or your spouse are still working at 65 and covered under an employer group plan, you’re allowed to delay Medicare Part B and Part D without penalty.

But once that coverage ends, you have an 8-month SEP to:

• Enroll in Medicare Part B
• Enroll in a Part D drug plan (within 63 days of losing coverage)
• Choose a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan

📌 This SEP begins the month after your employment or coverage ends—whichever comes first.

You may qualify for a SEP if you:

• Move to a new address that is outside your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan’s service area
• Move within the same state, but your current plan isn’t offered in your new county
• Return to the U.S. after living abroad

🕒 SEP window: You can switch plans up to 1 month before your move and for 2 months after.

💡 This is especially important for snowbirds, relocations, or moves into senior communities

If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, Extra Help, or a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you’ll be granted a SEP to change your drug or Advantage plan.

🕒 SEP window: Usually 2 months from the loss of eligibility.

If your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is discontinued or doesn’t renew its Medicare contract, you can:

• Enroll in a new Advantage or Part D plan, or
• Return to Original Medicare with or without a Medigap plan

🕒 SEP window: 2 months after notification.

You qualify for a SEP if you’re:

• Admitted to, or discharged from, a skilled nursing facility, rehab center, or long-term care hospital

This SEP allows you to join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage or Part D plans during your stay and up to 2 months after discharge.

You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if:

• You’re released from incarceration
• You gain or lose eligibility for other coverage like TRICARE or VA
• You make a Medicare enrollment mistake due to misleading information
• You qualify for a 5-star plan SEP (available once per year)

Missing your SEP windows can result in:

• Permanent late enrollment penalties
• Delayed access to care
• Higher drug costs

That’s why we always recommend scheduling a free review when your life circumstances change.

Moving, retiring, or losing coverage? Don’t guess—get expert help. At Emerald Medicare, we’ll guide you through your Special Enrollment Period and help you choose the best plan for your next chapter.

📞 (888) 683-6372 or (845) 358-1220
📧 office@emeraldmedicare.com