Medicare enrollment periods in Washington State

The major enrollment periods at a glance

Initial Enrollment Period (the most important window)

Your IEP is a 7-month window for signing up the first time:

• 3 months before the month you turn 65
• The month you turn 65
• 3 months after the month you turn 65

If your birthday is on the 1st of a month, the IEP starts and ends one month earlier.

Sign up in the first 3 months of your IEP and coverage starts the first day of your birthday month. Sign up in your birthday month or later in the IEP and coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up. Turning 65 in Washington →

Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7

This is the big one. During the Annual Enrollment Period, you can:

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage
• Switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Join, drop or switch Part D plans

Changes you make take effect January 1. This is when to review your coverage every year, because formularies, premiums and networks change. Many Washington Medicare Advantage plans end on December 31, 2026; if you got a letter saying yours is one of them, see Washington plans ending in 2027. Our Annual Enrollment Period guide covers this year's dates and choices.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31)

If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan on January 1 (or join one when you first get Medicare), you can make one change between January 1 and March 31 (or in your first 3 months of Medicare):

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, and join a standalone Part D plan

You can't use this period to switch from Original Medicare into a Medicare Advantage plan, or to switch between standalone Part D plans if you have Original Medicare.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs)

Certain events open a Special Enrollment Period:

• Losing job-based coverage: 8 months after the job or the coverage ends (whichever is first) to sign up for Part B without a penalty, and 2 months to join a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan
• Moving: if you move out of your plan's service area, you can switch plans starting the month before you move (if you tell the plan in advance) and for 2 full months after
• Your plan leaving Medicare or your area: if your plan doesn't renew for next year, you can choose new coverage from December 8 through the last day of February
• Apple Health or Extra Help: if you have Medicaid or Extra Help, you can make certain changes to your drug coverage once a month, such as leaving a Medicare Advantage plan for Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan
• Living in a nursing home or other institution: you can join, switch or drop plans while you live there and for 2 full months after you move out
• 5-star plans: you can switch once a year, from December 8 to November 30, to a plan CMS rates 5 stars overall, where one is offered
• Disaster or emergency declarations: if a declared emergency, such as a wildfire, kept you from making a change on time

For the full list, see when you can change Medicare plans.

Wildfire and disaster SEPs in Washington

Washington's wildfire seasons hit eastern and central counties hard, and floods, windstorms and ice storms affect other parts of the state. When the federal government (for example, FEMA) or a state or local government declares an emergency or major disaster, people who live in the affected area (or who rely on a family member or helper there to make decisions) and who missed an enrollment period because of it, can get a Special Enrollment Period. It generally starts when the emergency begins and ends 2 full months after it ends.

To use it, tell the plan you want to join, or 1-800-MEDICARE, that the disaster kept you from acting on time. More on disaster-related SEPs →

Medigap open enrollment

Your Medigap open enrollment period lasts 6 months and starts the first month you're both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, a company must sell you any Medigap policy it offers in Washington and can't charge you more because of your health. It happens once and doesn't repeat.

This is the most protected time to buy a Medigap policy. Washington law also gives people who already have a Medigap policy some rights to replace it without health questions; see Medigap in Washington.

What if you missed your enrollment?

For Part A and Part B

If you missed your IEP and don't have a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31). Coverage starts the month after you sign up. Late penalties may apply. Medicare also offers Special Enrollment Periods for some exceptional situations, such as an employer or health plan giving you wrong information, release from incarceration, or losing Medicaid.

For Part D

You'll generally need to wait until the next Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) for coverage starting January 1, unless you have a Special Enrollment Period. If you sign up for Part A or B during the General Enrollment Period, you get a Special Enrollment Period to join a drug plan. A late penalty applies if you went 63 days or more in a row without creditable drug coverage.

For Medigap

Outside your 6-month open enrollment or a guaranteed-issue right, a company can ask about your health and may turn you down, charge more or make you wait for coverage of pre-existing conditions.

Sources

• Medicare.gov — When can I sign up for Medicare?
• Medicare.gov — When does Medicare coverage start?
• Medicare.gov — Joining a health or drug plan
• Medicare.gov — Special Enrollment Periods
• Medicare.gov — Understanding Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug plan enrollment periods
• Medicare.gov — When can I buy Medigap?
• Washington State Legislature — RCW 48.66.045 (Medicare supplement guaranteed issue)

Frequently asked questions

When is the Annual Enrollment Period?

October 15 to December 7 every year. Changes take effect January 1. For 2027 coverage, the period runs October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Can I change plans outside of the Annual Enrollment Period?

Yes, in some cases. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) lets people in a Medicare Advantage plan make one change, and Special Enrollment Periods open for events such as moving, losing other coverage, or your plan leaving Medicare.

What if I'm in a county affected by wildfires during enrollment?

If a federal, state or local government declares an emergency or major disaster where you live and it kept you from making a Medicare change on time, you may get a Special Enrollment Period. It generally lasts until 2 full months after the end of the emergency period. Tell 1-800-MEDICARE or the plan that the disaster kept you from acting.

How long is my Medigap open enrollment?

Six months, starting the first month you're both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that time, a company can't refuse to sell you a policy it offers or charge you more because of your health.

Can I enroll in Medicare if I missed my Initial Enrollment Period?

Yes, during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) for Part A and Part B; coverage starts the month after you sign up. Late penalties may apply unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

Medicare in your Washington county

Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Adams · Asotin · Benton · Chelan · Clallam · Clark · Columbia · Cowlitz · Douglas · Ferry · Franklin · Garfield · Grant · Grays Harbor · Island · Jefferson · King · Kitsap · Kittitas · Klickitat · Lewis · Lincoln · Mason · Okanogan · Pacific · Pend Oreille · Pierce · San Juan · Skagit · Skamania · Snohomish · Spokane · Stevens · Thurston · Wahkiakum · Walla Walla · Whatcom · Whitman · Yakima