During the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP), beneficiaries may:

Why A is correct

The Annual Election Period (AEP) is the yearly fall window during which Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, with the changes effective January 1 of the following year. The AEP is distinct from the Part B General Enrollment Period, from the Initial Enrollment Period, and from Special Enrollment Periods. It does not change Part B enrollment, the statutory Part B deductible, or the Part A lifetime reserve feature. The AEP is also called the Fall Open Enrollment period.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) Part B has its own enrollment windows and its own late-enrollment penalty rules; the AEP is not a penalty-free Part B enrollment opportunity. Part B enrollment follows its own statutory windows.
• C) The Part B deductible is set by statute and applies uniformly; beneficiaries do not choose its amount during the AEP. The Part B deductible is set by statute and applies to everyone.
• D) Lifetime reserve days are a Part A hospital feature and are not adjusted through the AEP. Lifetime reserve days are a Part A feature and are not adjusted through the AEP.

Memory hook

AEP = the annual fall reshuffle for MA and Part D plans, landing on January 1. Part B plays by different rules.

Why D is correct

The Medicare Part D Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also known as the open enrollment period, runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window, beneficiaries may join, switch, or drop a Part D prescription drug plan, with coverage effective January 1 of the following year. The AEP also serves as the annual open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans. This fall window is distinct from the Medicare Advantage disenrollment period in early January.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) January 1 through March 31 is the Part B General Enrollment Period and also the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period in recent years, not the Part D AEP.
• B) April 1 through June 30 is not a Medicare Part D enrollment window.
• C) July 1 through September 30 is not a Medicare Part D enrollment window.

Memory hook

Fall for changes: Oct 15 - Dec 7. Pick a Part D plan then and coverage clicks on January 1.

Why A is correct

Medicare's Annual Election Period (AEP) runs each fall — from October 15 through December 7 — and lets beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare join, switch, or drop Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D prescription drug plans, with changes effective January 1 of the following year. This is the regular annual window, distinct from the Initial Enrollment Period and the Special Enrollment Periods that apply to qualifying events. It is a recurring yearly opportunity, not a one-time election.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) The AEP occurs every year; it is not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at age 65.
• C) Plan changes outside the AEP are allowed only through Special Enrollment Periods for qualifying events, not at will throughout the year.
• D) Moving can trigger a Special Enrollment Period, but the annual AEP is not tied to a change of residence.

Memory hook

Every fall, the Medicare plan door swings open: switch MA or Part D, effective New Year's Day.