A beneficiary who missed both the Initial Enrollment Period and the Special Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B may enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The General Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B runs annually from January 1 through March 31 for individuals who missed the Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for the Special Enrollment Period. Enrolling during the GEP can trigger the Part B late enrollment penalty, a premium surcharge for each full 12-month period without coverage. The GEP dates are a standard tested fact, distinct from the Part D Annual Election Period of October 15 through December 7. The GEP is the safety valve for beneficiaries who missed the initial and special enrollment periods, but it carries a price: coverage begins July 1, and a late enrollment penalty adds 10 percent to the Part B premium for each full 12-month period of delay, calculated from the end of the initial period.
Why the other options are wrong
B) April through June is not a Medicare enrollment window. The GEP does not run from April through June; that period is not a Medicare enrollment window at all. It simply does not exist in the Medicare enrollment calendar.
C) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Part D and Medicare Advantage, not the Part B GEP. October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D, not the Part B General Enrollment Period.
D) The 65th birthday opens the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, not a one-year GEP. The 65th birthday window is the Initial Enrollment Period, a distinct enrollment opportunity from the General Enrollment Period.
Memory hook
Missed your chance? GEP is the January-March makeup window, and late penalties come along.
The Medicare general enrollment period (GEP), used by individuals who missed their initial enrollment period, runs each year:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The Medicare general enrollment period (GEP) runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. Individuals who did not enroll in Part B during their initial enrollment period and who do not qualify for a special enrollment period may enroll during the GEP, with coverage beginning July 1 of that year. GEP enrollment typically triggers a late enrollment penalty. The January-through-March window is distinct from the annual open enrollment period for Part D and Medicare Advantage, which runs October 15 through December 7.
Why the other options are wrong
B) July 1 through September 30 is not the GEP; that window does not correspond to a Medicare enrollment period.
C) October 15 through December 7 is the annual open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage and Part D, not the GEP.
D) The GEP spans three months from January 1 through March 31, not the single month of April.
Memory hook
Missed your IEP? The GEP door opens January 1 and closes March 31, coverage starts in July.
A person who misses the Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B and does not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period may enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) for Medicare Part B runs each year from January 1 through March 31. Beneficiaries who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and have no Special Enrollment Period may sign up during the GEP, with coverage generally effective later that year, and they may owe a late enrollment penalty. The GEP is one of the three Part B enrollment windows tested in the senior products objectives, along with the Initial Enrollment Period and the Special Enrollment Period.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, not the Part B GEP.
C) November 1 through January 31 is the ACA open enrollment period for health insurance exchanges, not the Medicare Part B GEP.
D) April 1 through June 30 is not a Medicare enrollment window.
Memory hook
Part B's second chance is the first quarter: January 1 to March 31 — enroll early in the year or wait again.
For an individual who missed the Initial Enrollment Period and has no special enrollment period, the Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs annually from January 1 through March 31. It is the window for people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Coverage under the GEP generally becomes effective in the month after enrollment, and late enrollment penalties apply because the person missed the original window. The January-March window is a specific Part B enrollment date tested on the A&H exam. Because enrollment in the GEP occurs after the correct initial window has passed, the beneficiary's Part B premium is increased by the late enrollment penalty, and coverage is delayed until the following month.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 1 through December 31 is not the Part B GEP; that autumn window belongs to Medicare Annual Enrollment for Part D and Medicare Advantage.
C) The GEP is not tied to the birthday anniversary; it is a fixed annual calendar window.
D) April 15 through June 15 matches no Medicare enrollment period.
Memory hook
Missed the IEP? The GEP is the annual January-March second chance, with a late penalty in tow.
A beneficiary who misses the Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B can sign up during the annual General Enrollment Period, which runs:
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Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Medicare's General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs each year from January 1 through March 31. Beneficiaries who missed their Initial Enrollment Period or Special Enrollment Period can enroll in Part B during this window, and coverage begins July 1 of that year. Enrolling during the GEP also subjects the beneficiary to the Part B late-enrollment penalty if they were eligible for Part B without other creditable coverage. October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D, a different enrollment window.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, not the Part B GEP.
C) April 1 through June 30 is not a Medicare enrollment period; the GEP is January through March.
D) Enrollment is not limited to the beneficiary's birthday month; the GEP is a fixed annual window for all beneficiaries.
Memory hook
GEP = Jan 1 to Mar 31, coverage July 1. Missed your window? This is the catch-up door.
A person who misses the Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B and has no employer group coverage must wait for the General Enrollment Period, which runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) for Medicare Part B runs January 1 through March 31 each year. It is the annual catch-up window for people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (for example, because they had no employer group coverage). Coverage purchased during the GEP begins July 1 of the same year, and a late-enrollment penalty generally applies for every 12 months of delay. The GEP runs on a fixed annual calendar.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D plan changes, not the Part B GEP. The AEP is a separate window for plan changes.
C) July 1 through September 30 is not an enrollment window for Medicare Part B. That mid-year window is not a Part B enrollment period under the Medicare enrollment rules at all.
D) April 1 through June 30 is not an enrollment window for Medicare Part B. That spring window is not a Part B enrollment period either, under any Medicare rule at all.
Memory hook
GEP = the January-to-March second chance for Part B, with coverage starting July 1 and a late penalty riding along.
A person who missed the Part B Initial Enrollment Period and has no Special Enrollment Period may enroll during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The General Enrollment Period is January 1 through March 31 each year, during which people who missed the Initial Enrollment Period and have no Special Enrollment Period may enroll in Part B. Coverage begins on July 1 of that enrollment year, and late enrollment typically triggers the permanent Part B premium penalty of 10% per full 12-month period of delay. The GEP is a tested enrollment-window fact, and it must be kept distinct from the 7-month IEP, the 8-month SEP, and the October-December Annual Election Period used for Part D and Medicare Advantage.
Why the other options are wrong
B) April through June is not a Part B enrollment window, so this option names dates the program never uses.
C) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Part C and Part D, not the Part B GEP, so this option transplants the Part D window onto Part B.
D) The GEP spans three months (January through March), not a single month, so this option understates the length of the window.
Memory hook
Missed both windows? GEP waits in January-March — and the late penalty rides along for life.
The Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs each year:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Beneficiaries who miss their Initial Enrollment Period can sign up for Part B during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. Enrolling during the GEP may trigger the Part B late enrollment penalty if the person had no creditable group coverage during the delay. Coverage generally begins later in the year following GEP enrollment.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the Medicare annual election period for Part C and Part D plan changes, not the Part B GEP.
C) April through June is not a Medicare enrollment window under federal rules.
D) July through September is not a Part B enrollment window.
Memory hook
GEP = January 1 through March 31, the catch-up window for Part B.
For a beneficiary who missed the Initial Enrollment Period and has no Special Enrollment Period, the Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Beneficiaries who miss their Initial Enrollment Period and are not eligible for a Special Enrollment Period may enroll in Part B only during the annual General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31, with coverage beginning July 1 of that year. Enrolling during the GEP generally triggers a late enrollment penalty for every 12-month period of unenrolled coverage, because Part B enrollment is meant to happen at age 65. The three months before the birthday belong to the Initial Enrollment Period, and October 15 to December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D changes.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period used for Medicare Advantage and Part D plan elections and changes, not the Part B General Enrollment Period.
C) The three months before the birthday month are part of the Initial Enrollment Period, a different, earlier window that only opens around age 65 and closes at the end of the seventh month.
D) Part B enrollment is not open-ended. Outside the Initial Enrollment, Special Enrollment, and General Enrollment windows, coverage cannot be obtained until the next GEP.
Memory hook
Missed the boat? GEP = the January-March ferry, sailing once a year with a penalty fare.
The Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period runs each year:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. It exists for people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period and did not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Coverage generally begins on July 1 following enrollment during the GEP. Because the enrollee enrolled late and outside a protected period, a late enrollment penalty may apply in addition to the regular premium.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the Medicare Part D Annual Enrollment Period, not the Part B General Enrollment Period.
C) July 1 through September 30 is not a Medicare enrollment window for Part B.
D) April 1 through June 30 is not a Part B enrollment period under Medicare rules.
Memory hook
GEP = the first three months of the year: Jan 1 - Mar 31. Late enrollees get in, but July 1 is when coverage starts.
A person who misses the initial enrollment period and the special enrollment period for Medicare Part B may enroll during the general enrollment period, which runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The Medicare Part B general enrollment period (GEP) runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. Enrollment during the GEP avoids having to wait an entire additional year, but it still triggers the late enrollment penalty because the person missed both the initial enrollment period and any applicable special enrollment period. The GEP is distinct from the Medicare Advantage and Part D annual election period, which runs from October 15 through December 7. January 1 through March 31 is therefore the correct window for the Part B general enrollment period.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15 through December 7 is the annual election period for Medicare Advantage and Part D plan changes, not the Part B general enrollment period. The October-December window belongs to Medicare Advantage and Part D plan changes, not Part B.
C) The GEP spans three months rather than a single April month; April is not a Medicare enrollment window. No Medicare enrollment window is limited to a single month in April.
D) Year-round enrollment is not available for Part B; the GEP is limited to the January-through-March window, with late penalties applying. Part B enrollment is restricted to defined windows, so year-round sign-up is not available.
Memory hook
GEP = the January-March catch-up window. Miss it and you wait a year and pay a penalty.
The Medicare Part B General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs...
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Beneficiaries who miss their initial enrollment period — and their special enrollment period, if any — can enroll in Part B during the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 through March 31 each year, with coverage beginning the following July. Because GEP enrollment occurs after the ideal window, a late-enrollment penalty applies for each 12-month period of delay. The GEP is easily confused with the Medicare Advantage and Part D Annual Election Period of October 15 through December 7 and with the seven-month initial enrollment period around the 65th birthday; distinguishing the three windows is a standard Part B question in the senior products outline.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15–December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D.
C) The seven months around the 65th birthday is the initial enrollment period.
D) July–August is not a Medicare enrollment window.
Memory hook
Missed the IEP? The GEP opens Jan 1–Mar 31, penalties may apply.
For an individual who missed the Initial Enrollment Period and does not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, the General Enrollment Period (GEP) for Medicare Part B runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why D is correct
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) runs from January 1 through March 31 each year for individuals who failed to enroll in Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Coverage becomes effective on July 1 of that year, and a late enrollment penalty typically applies because the individual delayed enrollment without creditable coverage.
Why the other options are wrong
A) October 15 through December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, not the Part B GEP.
B) The three months before the 65th birthday are part of the Initial Enrollment Period, not the GEP.
C) The GEP ends March 31; April through June is not the enrollment window and the coverage effective date is July 1.
Memory hook
Missed your window? GEP is Jan 1 - Mar 31 every year, with coverage starting July 1.
An individual who misses the Part B Initial Enrollment Period and has no Special Enrollment Period can enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs:
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
The General Enrollment Period (GEP) for Medicare Part B runs each year from January 1 through March 31, with coverage beginning July 1 of that year. Enrolling during the GEP generally triggers the Part B late enrollment penalty because the beneficiary missed the IEP. The GEP dates are a specific figure in the Part B enrollment material.
Why the other options are wrong
B) October 15-December 7 is the Annual Election Period for Medicare Advantage and Part D, not the Part B GEP.
C) July 1-September 30 is not an enrollment period; the GEP ends March 31.
D) The three months before the birthday month is part of the 7-month IEP, not the GEP.
Memory hook
Missed the IEP? The GEP is January 1 - March 31, and it bills you a penalty for being late.