If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, you can enroll in the Medicare drug benefit (Part D) during your
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
Your IEP for Part D will be the same as for Part B: the seven-month period that includes the three months before the month you become eligible for Medicare, the month you are eligible and three months after the month you become eligible. For example, if you become eligible for Medicare when you turn 65 on May 15, your IEP will be February 1 to August 31.
If you join a Medicare private drug plan during the three months before you are eligible for Medicare, your coverage will start the month you become eligible. If you join a Medicare private drug plan during the month you become eligible, or during the three months afterwards, your drug coverage will start the first of the month after you enroll.
If you do not join a Medicare private drug plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you may not be able to enroll until the Annual Coordinated Election Period, which is November 15 to December 31 of every year, for coverage beginning January 1. You may also have to pay a premium penalty.
To learn about the premium penalty, click on "Will I be penalized for delaying enrollment in the Medicare drug benefit?" in the GO TO box.
You may also have a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Part D under special circumstances, including if:
