Suzie McColm has been assisting people to enroll in health insurance and Medicare for over a decade. If you are local in the Wenatchee Valley, then you might have even seen her during her Safeway or Shopko days as a Pharmacy Technician. She is a licensed insurance producer in the state of Washington.
The top question that she gets is when can I enroll in Medicare?
To enroll in Medicare, including the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), here is what you need to know:
The initial enrollment period for Medicare typically starts three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after your birthday month. This seven-month period is called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). During the IEP, you can enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
For example: if your Birthday was July 4, 2023 then you could start enrolling with your IEP starting in April and have Medicare coverage starting July 1st. You would have until all the way until the end of October for your Initial Enrollment Period.
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also known as the Fall Open Enrollment Period, occurs every year from October 15th to December 7th. During this period, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. Set an appointment early if you would like assistance.
Here are some actions you can take during the AEP:
- Switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
- Join, drop, or switch Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
It’s important to note that the AEP is primarily for making changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. If you are satisfied with your current Medicare coverage and don’t need to make any changes, you don’t have to do anything during the AEP.
Remember we answer questions year-round about Medicare and Healthcare. The state of Washington does not contract with us regarding SEBB or PEBB options for those questions please go directly to the Health Care Authority.
Topics: Suzie Health Solutions, Medicare, Chelan County, Health Insurance, Wenatchee Insurance, Enrollment Period, Wenatchee Medicare Insurance, Pharmacy, Enrollment Center, PEBB, SEBB
