Miss your Medicare enrollment window and you pay a penalty every month, permanently. The Part B late penalty adds 10% per year to your premium for as long as you have Medicare. A single reminder before the deadline is the difference between coverage on time and a surcharge that never goes away.
Done in seconds. No sign-up required.
Medicare penalties don't expire. They compound every year you wait.
added to your Part B premium for every full year you delay enrollment past your Initial Enrollment Period
Medicare.gov, 2026
the standard Part B monthly premium in 2026, before any late enrollment penalties are applied
CMS, 2026
Americans enrolled in Medicare, many of whom must review their coverage during Open Enrollment each fall
CMS Enrollment Dashboard, 2025
Medicare has at least five different enrollment periods, each with its own rules and dates. The Initial Enrollment Period is tied to your 65th birthday. Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. The General Enrollment Period is January through March. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is also January through March but covers different changes. And Special Enrollment Periods have their own triggers.
Most people know the dates exist somewhere. The problem is remembering which window applies to you and when it opens. By the time you think about it, you are already in the window or past it. A reminder two weeks before the deadline gives you time to compare plans, gather documents, and make a decision without rushing.
Approaching 65? Set a reminder for 3 months before your birthday. Already on Medicare? Set it for early October so you review your plan before Open Enrollment closes December 7.
You get an email days before your chosen date. Enough lead time to check if your plan still works for next year, compare alternatives, and make a decision.
If you do not mark the reminder done, follow-up emails continue. The reminder does not quietly disappear after one notification.
Enrollment periods, penalties, 2026 dates, and the mistakes that cost people the most.
IEP, OEP, GEP, SEP, MA-OEP. Five enrollment windows, each with different rules. Here is when each one applies and what you can change during it.
See all enrollment periods →Late penalties, coverage gaps, and limited options. The cost of missing Medicare enrollment goes beyond money.
See the penalties →Key dates for 2026, premium changes, and what is different this year. Plan your enrollment timeline before October 15.
See 2026 dates →Deadlines, penalties, and the details that matter.
Your Initial Enrollment Period starts 3 months before you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. That gives you a 7-month window. If you miss it, you may have to wait for the General Enrollment Period (January 1 through March 31) and pay a late penalty.
Only if you are already receiving Social Security benefits. In that case, you are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B about 3 months before turning 65. If you are not receiving Social Security, you must actively sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7 every year. During this window you can switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change your drug plan, or drop coverage. Changes take effect January 1.
Yes. The Part B late enrollment penalty is 10% of the standard premium for each full 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll. This penalty is added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare. Part D has a similar penalty structure.
Yes. Set your reminder for early October, before the October 15 Open Enrollment start date. The reminder recurs yearly so you get a nudge to review your coverage every fall. If you are approaching 65, set a one-time reminder for 3 months before your birthday to start your Initial Enrollment.
This runs January 1 through March 31 each year. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare during this window. You cannot use this period to enroll in Medicare for the first time.
Free. No account. Get a reminder before Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15.
Set My Medicare Enrollment ReminderLast modified: