Medicare Special Enrollment Periods in Florida
Certain life events — a move, a loss of coverage, or another qualifying change — may let you change Medicare plans today, without waiting until October.
Find out whether you can change plans today
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Most people are not worried about the premium. They are worried about losing their doctor, or finding out in January that a prescription moved to a higher tier.
No cost, no obligation. Medicare caps what an agent can be paid, and the carrier pays it whether you enroll with us or on your own. Your premium is exactly the same either way. We never sell your information, and you can ask us to stop contacting you at any time.
What is a Special Enrollment Period?
A Special Enrollment Period is a window Medicare grants you personally after a life event changes your coverage situation. Inside it you can make the same changes everyone else waits until October to make.
The catch is that it is tied to your event date and it closes — and most people find out about theirs after it has already shut.
You do not need to prove your event before you apply in most cases, but keep documentation — a lease, a coverage termination letter, a Medicaid notice — because carriers can ask for it afterwards.
Common qualifying events
If any of these happened in the last two months, read that section closely. These are the ones we see missed most often.
You moved to a new address or a new county
- What triggers it
- A permanent move that changes the plans available to you, including a move within Florida.
- How long your window lasts
- Two full months after the month you move, or after you tell your plan — whichever is later. Telling your plan first gives you the month of the move plus two more.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are approved county by county, so crossing a county line can change your options entirely. Notify your plan before you move whenever you can.
You lost employer or union coverage
- What triggers it
- Group health coverage through your job, your spouse's job, or a union ends — including COBRA ending.
- How long your window lasts
- Two full months after the month the coverage ends.
This applies whether you retired, were laid off, or the employer dropped the plan. Keep the letter showing the end date; carriers ask for it.
Your plan is leaving your area or ending its contract
- What triggers it
- Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan is non-renewing, terminating, or pulling out of your county.
- How long your window lasts
- December 8 to the last day of February for a non-renewal; two months either side of the end date for a mid-year termination.
The plan must notify you in writing. Do not ignore that letter — if you take no action you may be moved into Original Medicare with no drug coverage.
You became eligible for Medicaid or Extra Help, or lost that eligibility
- What triggers it
- A change in your Medicaid status or your Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help) status.
- How long your window lasts
- Once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year while you remain eligible, and three months from the date of a change or notice of a change.
Dual-eligible members can often move into a D-SNP plan with much lower cost sharing. Losing Medicaid also opens a window to move to a suitable plan.
You moved into, live in, or moved out of a nursing home or long-term care facility
- What triggers it
- Admission to, residence in, or discharge from a skilled nursing facility or long-term care hospital.
- How long your window lasts
- Any month while you live there, plus two full months after you move out.
Residents of institutions may change plans as often as monthly, which matters when a facility contracts with only some carriers.
You want to join a 5-star plan
- What triggers it
- A Medicare Advantage or Part D plan with a 5-star CMS rating is available where you live.
- How long your window lasts
- Once between December 8 and November 30 of the following year.
This is a one-time-per-year move and can only be used to join a 5-star plan, not to leave one. Availability of 5-star plans varies by county.
You returned to the United States after living abroad
- What triggers it
- You moved back to the United States after living outside the country.
- How long your window lasts
- Two full months after the month you return.
Keep documentation of your return date, such as travel records or a new lease.
You were released from incarceration
- What triggers it
- Release from a correctional facility after a period of incarceration.
- How long your window lasts
- Two full months after the month of release.
If your Medicare coverage lapsed while you were incarcerated, this window also lets you restart Part B and Part D coverage.
Your plan was misrepresented to you, or the plan violated its contract
- What triggers it
- A plan or agent gave you materially misleading information, or the plan failed to meet its obligations.
- How long your window lasts
- Granted case by case by Medicare — usually two months from the date the case is approved.
These are handled directly by 1-800-MEDICARE, which reviews the complaint and grants the enrollment period if it agrees.
How long do you have?
| Qualifying event | How long your window lasts |
|---|---|
| You moved to a new address or a new county | Two full months after the month you move, or after you tell your plan — whichever is later. Telling your plan first gives you the month of the move plus two more. |
| You lost employer or union coverage | Two full months after the month the coverage ends. |
| Your plan is leaving your area or ending its contract | December 8 to the last day of February for a non-renewal; two months either side of the end date for a mid-year termination. |
| You became eligible for Medicaid or Extra Help, or lost that eligibility | Once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year while you remain eligible, and three months from the date of a change or notice of a change. |
| You moved into, live in, or moved out of a nursing home or long-term care facility | Any month while you live there, plus two full months after you move out. |
| You want to join a 5-star plan | Once between December 8 and November 30 of the following year. |
| You returned to the United States after living abroad | Two full months after the month you return. |
| You were released from incarceration | Two full months after the month of release. |
| Your plan was misrepresented to you, or the plan violated its contract | Granted case by case by Medicare — usually two months from the date the case is approved. |
Confirm your Special Enrollment Period and enroll now
If a qualifying event applies to you, the window is measured in weeks, not months. A licensed agent can confirm which Special Enrollment Period fits your situation and submit the application while it is open.
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm ET · Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
Special Enrollment Period questions
How long does a Special Enrollment Period last?
Most last two full months after the month your event happened. Some — such as the window after a plan non-renewal, or the ongoing window for people in nursing homes — work differently. Each one is listed with its own deadline.
Do I need to prove my qualifying event?
Usually not up front, but keep documentation. Carriers and CMS can request proof after enrollment, such as a lease, a coverage termination letter, or a Medicaid eligibility notice.
Can I use a Special Enrollment Period more than once?
Yes, if you have more than one qualifying event. Each event opens its own window. Some SEPs, such as the 5-star plan window, can only be used once in a given period.
What if my window has already closed?
You generally wait for the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7, unless another event opens a new window. Call us and we will check the dates precisely before you assume you have missed it.
Does moving within the same county count?
Only if the move changes the plans available to you. A move across town within the same county usually does not, while a move to a different county almost always does.
Where to go next
- Compare Medicare Advantage plansSee every plan we offer with premiums, star ratings, and out-of-pocket maximums side by side.Compare Medicare Advantage plans
- Browse Florida countiesPlan availability changes county by county — find what's approved where you live.Browse Florida counties
- No qualifying event? See Open EnrollmentIf none of these events apply to you, October 15 – December 7 is your next chance to change plans.No qualifying event? See Open Enrollment