Apply online. This is the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. Click the "Enroll in Original Medicare" button below.

You'll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for Social Security benefits online. Call 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

Once you are enrolled in original Medicare (Parts A and B), you are ready to consider signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medicare Supplement plan or to remain on Original Medicare.

The Original Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is seven months. It starts three months before your 65th birthday, the entire month of your 65th birthday, and extends for three months after your 65th birthday.

If you enroll before your birthday month, your coverage takes effect on the first day of your birthday month. If you enroll during or within three months of your birthday, your coverage will start the first day of the month following your enrollment.

Enrolling in Original Medicare after IEP may result in a penalty, so be sure to enroll when you are first eligible. There are exceptions such as your option to continue to work and receiving medical insurance from your employer or receiving medical insurance through your spouse.

Once you are enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) you are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan. You must have eligible Part A and Part B effective dates to enroll in these plans. You assign the effective date for Part B when you enroll.

Medicare Advantage Enrollment

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) or during Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). Your coverage will start the first day of the month following your enrollment.

Medicare Supplement Enrollment

You may enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan during IEP and up to 6 months after your 65th birthday with your coverage starting the first day of the month following your enrollment. Enrollment outside of IEP may be subject to medical underwriting.

Once you have Medicare insurance there are a few times during the year that you can change your Medicare coverage depending on your particular circumstances. Here are the most common periods that you can make changes to your Medicare coverage.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) October 15 – December 7

During the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) you can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan or apply for a Medicare supplement insurance plan. Applications for initial enrollment in Medicare supplement plans after the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) are subject to medical underwriting approval.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP) January 1 - March 31

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1, you can make one coverage change between January 1 and March 31. You may switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. If you go back to Original Medicare, you may also enroll in a Part D plan during this time.

Medicare Supplement Plan Change

You can apply to change your current Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans at any time. However, unlike Medicare Advantage, there is no annual open enrollment period for Medigap, meaning insurers can use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health status, unless you are within a specific guaranteed issue window such as the State of Oregon Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule.

Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule

The Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Birthday Rule allows beneficiaries in the state of Oregon to switch to a new Medicare Supplement policy of equal or lesser benefits annually without medical underwriting or health screenings. The 60-day window begins 30 days before and ends 30 days after your birthday each year. This guaranteed-issue right ensures that pre-existing conditions cannot prevent a switch.