Medicare (Original Medicare)

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP):
7 months around your 65th birthday (3 months before, your birthday month, and 3 months after).

General Enrollment Period (GEP):
January 1 – March 31 each year (for people who missed IEP; coverage starts July 1).

Open Enrollment (Annual Election Period, AEP):
October 15 – December 7 each year.
→ You can join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plans.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP):
January 1 – March 31 each year.
→ If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can:

Switch to another Medicare Advantage plan

Drop Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare (+ add Part D if needed)
→ Only one change allowed in this period.

Also eligible during the general AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7).

Medi-Cal (California Medicaid)

Enrollment is year-round.
There’s no restricted open enrollment period for Medi-Cal. You can apply or switch Medi-Cal managed care plans at any time if you qualify.

✅ Summary:

Medicare Annual Enrollment (AEP): Oct 15 – Dec 7

Medicare Advantage OEP: Jan 1 – Mar 31

General Medicare Enrollment (for late signups): Jan 1 – Mar 31

Medi-Cal: Year-round