Medicare Part D Enrollment Periods

When can I enroll?

Eligible Medicare beneficiaries may only enroll in Blue MedicareRx (PDP)^SM during specific times of the year, known as election or enrollment periods.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

• In general, an individual is eligible to enroll in a Part D plan when an individual is entitled to Part A or enrolled in Part B, and lives in the service area of a Part D plan. The effective date is generally the first day of the month after the PDP sponsor receives a completed enrollment request.
• If you are eligibile at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65 and ends three months after that birthday.
• If you are eligible based on a disability or permanent kidney failure, your initial enrollment period depends on the date your disability or treatment begins.
• If you do not enroll during this time frame, you may not be able to enroll until the next Annual Enrollment Period.

Contact a Blue MedicareRx (PDP) Product Specialist for more detailed disability enrollment information.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

The Annual Enrollment Period is November 15 through December 31, of every year.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

There may be select circumstances when a Medicare beneficiary can enroll outside of the initial and annual enrollment periods. Below is a list of some, but not all, of those circumstances:

• A move outside of the plan's approved program service area
• Entering or leaving a qualified institution, such as a nursing home
• Enrolling in, or dis-enrolling from, a Medicare Advantage plan (medical and drug benefit)
• Becoming eligible for Low Income Subsidy Assistance
• Becoming enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid

To obtain more detailed information on the Special Enrollment Period, please contact our Blue MedicareRx (PDP) Product Specialists.

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Last updated 09/15/09 - S5566_WEB_OK_PDP
CMS Approved 11/19/2009