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Let SelectQuote help you navigate Medicare’s Special Enrollment Period.
Our licensed insurance agents can help you better understand Medicare Advantage plans and review the coverage options that may be available to you. There’s no obligation to enroll.
No obligation to enroll

Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

The Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) takes place when certain events or life changes occur, giving you the opportunity to make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage plan and Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
You typically don’t have to worry about a late enrollment penalty if you meet the requirements for SEP, but there are special rules about the changes someone can make during this time. New coverage will begin on the first day of the following month (so if you qualified for SEP in February, your coverage would begin in March).

Events That Trigger a Special Enrollment Period

There are several types of Medicare Special Enrollment Periods, with different qualification standards for each. Some of the most common Special Enrollment Period qualifying events include:

Change in Location

Qualifying changes in location1 include:
  • Moving to a new address that isn’t in your current Medicare plan’s service area
  • Moving to a new location where new Medicare plan options are available, even though your current Medicare plan also includes coverage for your new address
  • Returning to the U.S. after living outside the country
  • Moving in or out of a skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital
  • Being released from jail

Losing Your Current Coverage

If these statements apply to you, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.1
  • I’m no longer eligible for Medicaid.
  • I left coverage from my employer or union (including COBRA).
  • I involuntarily lost drug coverage that’s as good as Medicare drug coverage.
  • I had drug coverage through a Medicare Cost Plan and I left the plan.
  • I dropped my coverage in a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PAC) plan.

Opportunity to Get Other Coverage

If you have the chance to get other coverage, you may qualify for an SEP.1 Qualifying events may include:
  • You have the chance to join other coverage offered by your employer or union.
  • You have or plan to enroll in other drug coverage that’s as good as Medicare drug coverage.
  • You enrolled in a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plan.

Your Plan Changes Its Contract With Medicare

You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if your plan’s contract with Medicare changes.1 This could look like:
  • Medicare takes a sanction against the plan you’re enrolled in.
  • The state takes over your plan because of financial issues.
  • Medicare terminates your plan’s contract, or your plan ends its contract with Medicare.
  • Your plan’s contract with Medicare isn’t renewed.

Special Situations and Exceptions

There may be additional special situations through which you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. For a full list of examples, visit Medicare.gov.
We can help simplify the Medicare process and make sure you understand the ins and outs of the Special Enrollment Period. There’s no obligation to enroll.
No obligation to enroll

SEP Reference Chart

Review some common acronyms you may need to know when navigating Medicare Special Enrollment Periods.
Acronym Full TermDefinition
SEPSpecial Enrollment PeriodA period during which individuals can enroll in or make changes to their Medicare coverage outside the standard enrollment periods.
SNPSpecial Needs PlanA type of Medicare Advantage plan designed for people with specific diseases or characteristics, such as chronic conditions or disabilities.
MAMedicare AdvantageA type of Medicare plan (known as Part C) that offers the same coverage as Original Medicare but through plans sold by Medicare-approved private insurers
PDPPrescription Drug PlanA standalone plan that provides prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D.
MAPD Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug PlanA Medicare Advantage Plan that includes prescription drug coverage (Part D).
QMBQualified Medicare Beneficiary A Medicaid program for individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
SLMBSpecified Low-Income Medicare BeneficiaryA Medicaid program that helps pay for Part B premiums for people who have limited income and resources.
LISLow-Income SubsidyA program that helps pay for Medicare prescription drug costs for individuals with limited income and resources.
IRMAAIncome-Related Monthly Adjustment AmountAn additional premium amount that higher-income individuals pay for Part B and Part D coverage.
PACEProgram of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly A Medicare and Medicaid program that provides comprehensive health care for elderly individuals who are eligible for both programs.

What else should I know about Special Enrollment Periods?

If you delayed enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B because you or your spouse worked after turning 65 and are losing your group coverage, you typically qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). During this SEP, you may:
  • Enroll in Part B (and Part A if you haven’t already). You’ll be given a Special Enrollment Period of eight months to sign up starting the month that follows the end of your employer coverage.
  • Enroll in Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) or a Prescription Drug plan (Medicare Part D). You have two months to enroll in these options.
Additionally, there’s a Medicare Advantage SEP for individuals who are dual-eligible or who receive “Extra Help” (also known as Low-Income Subsidy). Extra Help is a federal program that helps pay for some to most out-of-pocket costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you receive Extra Help in 2025, there is a SEP to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage, a Part D plan, or to switch between plans. This SEP is available once per quarter for the first three quarters of the year (January through March, April through June, and July through September). Coverage changes become effective the first day of the month following the change.
For information on the other types of Medicare Enrollment Periods, click on the links below:
No obligation to enroll

More Special Enrollment Period FAQs

What is the new SEP for 2025?
Starting January 1, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced two new Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) aimed at enhancing flexibility for dually eligible individuals and those receiving Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy, or LIS).
Dual/LIS SEP - This monthly SEP allows beneficiaries to:
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare and enroll in a standalone Prescription Drug plan (PDP).​
  • Change between standalone PDPs.​
This SEP replaces the previous quarterly dual/LIS SEP.
Integrated Care SEP - This monthly SEP enables full-benefit dually eligible individuals to:​
  • Enroll in or switch between integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs plans (D-SNPs) that align with Medicaid-managed care organizations.​
  • Ensure coordinated coverage between Medicare and Medicaid services.
What is the 8-month SEP for Medicare Part B?
The 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Medicare Part B allows individuals who were covered by a group health plan based on current employment to enroll in Part B without a late enrollment penalty within eight months of losing that coverage.
Who qualifies for Medicare Special Needs plans (SNP)?
A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is designed to provide more focused care for individuals with certain chronic conditions, disabilities, or other special health needs. You qualify for a SNP if: 
  • You have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance).
  • You live in the plan's service area. 
  • You meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three types of SNPs:
    1. Dual Eligible SNP (D-SNP)
    2. Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP)
    3. Institutional SNP (I-SNP)

Better Understand Your Medicare Plan Options With SelectQuote

SelectQuote is here to help you understand Medicare Special Enrollment Periods and the available Medicare Advantage plans in your area. We can walk you step-by-step through the process and help you find the option that’s right for your needs. There’s no obligation to enroll.
No obligation to enroll
1. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan/special-enrollment-periods
SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services is a division of SelectQuote Insurance Services. © 2025 SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services. All rights reserved.
Please see the Disclosures Page for more information.
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