Medicare SNP Enrollment Periods
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are specially designed for people with chronic health conditions (such as AIDs or cardiovascular disease), people living in nursing homes, and people covered by both Medicaid and Medicare. More information is on our Medicare Special Needs Plans page.
The chart below lists the times you may be able to join a Medicare SNP, or switch out of a Medicare SNP to a different plan.
| Who can join or switch? | When can you join or switch? |
|---|---|
| If you have Medicare and get help from Medicaid (your state), or you live in an institution like a nursing home or hospital… | You can join any Medicare SNP you qualify for or switch plans at any time. |
| If you’re newly eligible for Medicare… | You can join any Medicare SNP you qualify for during your Initial Enrollment Period, which is usually the 7-month period that starts 3 months before you turn 65, includes the month in which you turn 65, and ends 3 months after you turn 65. You can join from 3 months before to 3 months after your 25th month of disability. |
| If you have Medicare… | You can join any Medicare SNP you qualify for during the Annual Enrollment Period between November 15–December 31 each year. |
| If you have Medicare AND you have Medicare prescription drug coverage… | You can join any Medicare SNP you qualify for during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period between January 1–March 31 each year. |
| If you have Medicare AND you develop certain severe or disabling conditions… | You can join a Medicare SNP designed to serve people with those conditions at any time, but once you enroll in a plan, this Special Enrollment Period ends. |
| If you join a Medicare SNP and you move out of your plan’s service area… | You can switch plans when you move, or you will be automatically returned to Original Medicare. In some cases, you may be able to stay in your Medicare SNP. Call your plan for details. |
| If you belong to a Medicare SNP that leaves the Medicare Program… | You can switch plans when your Medicare SNP notifies you that it is leaving the Medicare Program. |