Understand Medicare enrollment periods including IEP, AEP, OEP, and Special Enrollment Periods to avoid penalties.
When do you sign up for Medicare? It’s one of the most common questions people ask — and one of the most confusing to answer. The truth is, there isn’t one single enrollment date. There are at least seven different paths onto Medicare, and which one applies to you depends on your age, your work … Read more
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan and thinking about leaving, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of people switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare — and many of them pick up a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap) to cover the gaps. But whether you can switch and whether you should switch … Read more
Enrollment & Eligibility · February 2026 · 6 min read Medicare Special Enrollment Period: Do You Qualify and How to Use It Most people only know about the standard Medicare enrollment window. But life doesn’t always follow a schedule — and the Special Enrollment Period exists for exactly that reason. C Cindy Kowalski · Eligry … Read more
📅 Last updated: February 2026 ⏱ 12 min read In This Article What Is the Initial Enrollment Period? The 7-Month IEP Timeline Coverage Start Dates: When Does Medicare Actually Begin? What You Can Enroll In During Your IEP Automatic Enrollment: Are You Already Covered? The Birthday-on-the-1st Exception 6 Common IEP Mistakes (and How to Avoid … Read more
Enrollment Periods · February 18, 2026 · 11 min read Medicare Enrollment Periods Explained:IEP, AEP, OEP & SEP — Which One Applies to You? Medicare enrollment periods are not “nice to know.” They decide whether you can enroll, change plans, avoid penalties, or get stuck waiting. Here’s the clear guide — plus a simple way … Read more