What Is a Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?
During a special enrollment period (SEP), you can sign up for, leave or switch Medicare Advantage, Supplement or Part D plans outside of open enrollment in the fall.
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You'll typically be able to get a special enrollment period after a major life change like moving, getting divorced or losing your workplace or Medicaid coverage. It's important to sign up for Medicare quickly because special enrollment periods usually last for just two or three months.
What is a Medicare special enrollment period (SEP)?
A Medicare special enrollment period (SEP) is a window of time in which you can sign up for or switch Medicare Supplement, Advantage and Part D plans outside of the normal open enrollment period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7). There are two ways you can get a Medicare special enrollment period.
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Something disrupts your current coverage, called a qualifying life event
- You lose workplace health insurance
You typically have two to three months to sign up or switch plans after a what's called a "qualifying life event." If you continue working past age 65 or if you're covered by a working spouse's health insurance, then an eight-month special enrollment period starts after that coverage ends.
The eight-month window that opens up when you continue to work past 65 is only for Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital care) and Part B (doctor visits).
You only have two months after your old coverage ends to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a prescription drug plan (Part D). You need to sign for Medicare Parts A and B before you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, and you need Part A or Part B coverage to get a Part D plan.
You have to pay a late enrollment penalty of 10% of your Medicare Part B rate for every year you delayed signing up for Medicare. In 2025, Medicare Part B costs $185 per month, which means you'd pay an extra $18.50 per month if you delayed signing up for one year.
This penalty will be part of your monthly bill as long as you're enrolled in Medicare, and you'll have to pay it even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
Missing a special enrollment period could also leave you without good coverage options until the next open enrollment period.
This penalty doesn't go away as long as you have Medicare drug coverage, and you need to pay it regardless of whether you have a regular Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.
Medicare special enrollment qualifying events
You'll typically be able to get a special enrollment period when an event disrupts your health coverage. For example, moving to a new area triggers a special enrollment period because companies usually only offer their plans in certain areas.
Qualifying SEP events for Medicare and how long you have to enroll
- Losing employer or union coverage: Two full months after the month when your coverage ends
- Moving outside your current plan's coverage area: One month before the move and two months after
- Returning to the U.S. after living abroad: Two months from your return date
- Losing Medicaid eligibility: Three months after you can no longer get Medicaid or after you get an expiration notice (whichever is longer)
- Leaving the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Two months after the month you lose your coverage
- Moving to a nursing home, hospital or other medical institution: While you live there and two months after you leave
- Leaving jail or prison: Two full calendar months from the end of your term
- Medicare canceling your plan: Two months before the contract ends and one month after
Understanding which events qualify you for a special enrollment period can help you avoid going without insurance. In some cases, you can use an SEP to get better coverage or a better plan.
Almost any event that can disrupt or end your existing Medicare coverage will get you a special enrollment period. If you're unsure whether you qualify for an SEP, check Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
You can switch coverage once per calendar month if you have dual Medicare and Medicaid eligibility.
You may get a special enrollment period if you didn't sign up for Medicare when you first became eligible because your employer or a health insurance agent or broker gave you incorrect information. This starts from the day that you contact the Social Security Administration and ends six months later.
Events that won't get you a Medicare SEP
You need to sign up for Medicare when you first become eligible, even if you're still covered by COBRA or short-term health insurance. Otherwise, you'll have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare.
Switching to a higher-rated plan
You can switch to a five-star Medicare Advantage plan once per year at any time except for Dec. 1-7.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans on a one-to-five-star scale with five being the best. Star ratings measure things like customer service, health care access and preventive care treatment rates.
You can get five-star plans in five states and Puerto Rico. Only 1% of Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage have five-star ratings.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Medicare special enrollment period (SEP)?
A Medicare special enrollment period (SEP) lets you sign up for Medicare or switch Medicare plans outside of normal open enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7).. A special enrollment period typically happens when something causes you to lose or have to change your coverage, called a qualifying life event.
How do I know if I qualify for a special enrollment period?
The best way to know is to check the list of qualifying life events on the Medicare.gov website to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) if you'd like to speak to a real person. Common ways to qualify for a SEP include moving and losing your workplace coverage or Medicaid eligibility.
How do I apply for Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period (SEP)?
You can apply for Medicare Part B online at the Social Security website. You can also fill out forms CMS 40B and CMS-L564E and mail or fax them to your local Social Security Administration office.
Sources and methodology
Information on special enrollment periods came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Medicare.gov and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
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