AEP & SEP Cheat Sheet
Every date, enrollment period and common Special Enrollment Period for the 2027 plan year on one page, plus the rule changes that affect how you sell this fall.
Dates to Put on Your Calendar
Enrollment Periods at a Glance
| Period | When | Who | What they can do | Coverage starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | Oct 15 – Dec 7 | Everyone on Medicare | Join, switch or drop MA, MA-PD or Part D; move between Original Medicare and MA | Jan 1 |
| MA Open Enrollment Period | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | People already in Medicare Advantage | One change: another MA plan, or Original Medicare plus a Part D plan | 1st of next month |
| Initial Coverage Election Period | 3 months before A and B start, through the later of 2 months after or the end of the Part B IEP | Newly eligible for A and B | Join an MA or MA-PD plan | A/B start month, or 1st of next month |
| Part D Initial Enrollment | Same 7 months as the Part B IEP | Newly eligible | Join a Part D plan or MA-PD | 1st of next month (not before A/B start) |
| Part B General Enrollment | Jan 1 – Mar 31 | Missed Part B when first eligible | Sign up for Part B (penalty may apply) | 1st of next month |
| Medigap Open Enrollment | 6 months from the first month of Part B at 65+ | New to Part B at 65 or older | Any Medigap plan, no health questions | Date on the application |
The SEPs You'll Use Most
Coverage usually starts the 1st of the month after the plan gets the request. Some SEPs now need CMS approval first: the client (with you on the line if they like) calls 1-800-MEDICARE.
| Situation | Window | What they can do | CMS approval? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan not renewing | Dec 8 – end of Feb (plus AEP) | Another MA or Part D plan, or Original Medicare | No |
| Moved | Month of the move + 2 months | Plan in the new area | No |
| Losing employer or union coverage | Up to 2 months after it ends | Join MA or Part D | No |
| Lost creditable drug coverage | 2 months after the loss or notice | Join Part D or MA-PD | No |
| Medicaid or Extra Help, monthly | Once a month | Standalone Part D only, not MA-PD switches | No |
| Integrated care for full duals | Once a month | Integrated D-SNP aligned with their Medicaid plan | No |
| Medicaid or Extra Help status changes | 3 months after the change or notice | Join, switch or drop Part D or MA-PD | No |
| 5-star plan | Dec 8 – Nov 30, once a year | A 5-star plan (MA-only loses Part D) | No |
| MA trial at 65 | First 12 months in MA | Original Medicare + Part D; any Medigap | No |
| Dropped Medigap for MA | First 12 months in MA, one time | Original Medicare + Part D; old Medigap back | No |
| Moving into or out of a nursing home | While there + 2 months after | Join, switch or drop MA | No |
| Chronic condition (C-SNP) | While the condition lasts | Join a C-SNP | No |
| Disaster or emergency declared | Up to 2 full months after it ends | The election they missed | No |
| Low-performing plan | While enrolled, one time | Another MA or Part D plan | No |
| Contract violation or misleading information | Set by CMS | New plan or Original Medicare | Call 1-800-MEDICARE |
| Other exceptional circumstances | Set by CMS | As CMS approves | Call 1-800-MEDICARE |
Not a complete list. CMS's CY 2027 enrollment guidance lists more than 30 SEPs, including PACE, SPAP, loss of special needs status, receivership and retroactive entitlement.
Rule Changes Agents Should Know
From the CY 2027 final rule. Marketing changes apply from October 1, 2026.
No 48-hour wait
The 48 hours between a Scope of Appointment and the meeting is gone. Every personal marketing appointment, inbound calls and walk-ins included, still needs a Scope of Appointment first, in writing when you meet in person.
Scope at events
SOA forms can now be handed out and picked up at educational events. Still no sales presentations or applications there.
No 12-hour gap
A marketing event can follow an educational event at the same place, as long as attendees are told the educational part has ended and can leave.
New disclaimer timing
Give the TPMO disclaimer before you discuss any benefits. SHIPs are no longer named in it.
Six-year recordings
Sales calls must be recorded in full and kept six years, down from ten. Years 4 to 6 can be a complete transcript.
No provider-termination SEP
CMS proposed a new SEP when a provider leaves a network, but didn't finalize it.
Agent Questions
When is AEP for 2027 coverage?
AEP opens October 15 and closes December 7, 2026, with coverage beginning January 1, 2027. Agents can begin marketing 2027 plans on October 1, but enrollment applications can't be taken before October 15.
What can a client do during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
Between January 1 and March 31, a Medicare Advantage member gets a single switch: a different Medicare Advantage plan, or Original Medicare plus a Part D plan. It can't be used to move from Original Medicare into Medicare Advantage.
Can dual-eligible clients still change plans every month?
Partly. Since 2025, the monthly SEP for people with Medicaid or Extra Help only allows standalone Part D changes. Full-benefit duals can also join an integrated D-SNP aligned with their Medicaid plan once a month. Other Medicare Advantage switches need another period.
Is the 48-hour Scope of Appointment rule gone?
Yes. Starting with 2027 marketing on October 1, 2026, there is no 48-hour wait. Every personal marketing appointment, inbound calls included, still needs a Scope of Appointment first, in writing when you meet in person.
Printable Version in the Resource Hub
Brock agents can download a PDF of this guide, plus our state playbooks and California guides, from the Resource Hub. Sign in with your NPN and email.
Where This Comes From
- CMS: CY 2027 MA and Part D Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance
- Federal Register: CY 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D final rule (Apr 6, 2026)
- eCFR: 42 CFR 422.62 (MA election periods)
- eCFR: 42 CFR 423.38 (Part D enrollment periods)
- CMS: Dual and LIS SEP changes job aid (2025)
- Medicare.gov: Special Enrollment Periods
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For licensed insurance agents. General information as of October 18, 2026, drawn from federal and state sources; rules change, so confirm with CMS, the carrier or the state insurance department before advising a client. Not legal or tax advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.