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Enrollment Timelines
• Fixed Windows: A Medicare enrollment period is a specific timeframe during which you are permitted to sign up for or modify your healthcare coverage.
• The Critical Start: Most people sign up for Parts A and B during their Initial Enrollment Period. Missing this window often results in permanent financial penalties.
• Plan-Specific Dates: Supplemental options like Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap each have their own unique registration windows.
Understanding these dates is vital. According to historical data, hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries pay higher premiums every year simply because they missed a deadline. At Helpha Health, we want to ensure you aren't one of them.
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The Primary Enrollment Windows
The Cost of Missing Your Window
Without "creditable" coverage (like insurance from a large employer) missing your IEP can lead to:
Special Exceptions
Working Past 65
If you have "creditable" coverage through a company with 20 or more employees, you likely won't face penalties for delaying Medicare. When you eventually leave that job, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is typically an eight-month window to sign up for Parts A and B without any late fees.
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Medicare's "alphabet soup" of enrollment periods is notoriously difficult to track. One small oversight can result in higher costs for the rest of your life.
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2026 Helpha Medicare Enrollment Calendar
1. The "Once-in-a-Lifetime" Windows
| Period | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) | 7 Months: 3 months before your 65th birthday, your birth month, and 3 months after. | Your first chance to sign up for Parts A, B, and D without penalties. |
| Medigap Open Enrollment | 6 Months: Starts the very first day your Part B becomes active. | The only time you can buy any Medigap plan with no health questions and guaranteed acceptance. |
2. The Annual Opportunities
| Date Range | Enrollment Period | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 – March 31 | General Enrollment (GEP) | If you missed your Initial window, sign up for Part A or B here (penalties may apply). |
| Jan 1 – March 31 | Advantage Open Enrollment | Already have an Advantage plan? Switch to a different one or return to Original Medicare. |
| Oct 15 – Dec 7 | Annual Election Period (AEP) | The main event. Add, drop, or switch your Advantage (Part C) or Drug (Part D) plans for the coming year. |
2026 Medicare Costs
Sharing these numbers helps your clients see exactly what they need to budget for:
- • Part A Premium: $0 for most; up to $565 if you have limited work history.
- • Part B Standard Premium: $202.90 / month.
- • Part B Deductible: $283 / year.
- • Part D National Base (Penalty Basis): $38.99.
- Note: If a client misses their window, the 1% penalty is calculated using this
Expert Tip for You
If your birthday falls on the 1st of the month, your entire enrollment window actually starts one month early! Don't let the calendar surprise you—call us at (877) 466-8086 to confirm your specific dates. The Helpha Health Team
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