A good place to compare Medicare prescription drug plans is the Medicare website. (Medicare.gov)

Enrollment in Medicare Part D

Everyone who is eligible for Original Medicare can get a Medicare prescription drug plan. You must live in the service area for the particular plan you are  myaarpmedicare considering and continue to pay your Part B premium, if applicable.

There are several electoral periods:

Initial enrollment period (IEP) You can enroll when you are eligible for Medicare for the first time. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month period that begins 3 months before the month in which you turn 65, includes the month in which you turn 65 and end 3 months after the month in which you turn 65.

Open Enrollment Period (EPO) If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you must wait until the next enrollment period to enroll in a prescription drug plan. The Open Enrollment Period (EPO) is from October 15 to December 7. During this time, you can enroll, change or cancel a Medicare drug plan. Coverage of the plan chosen during the EPO begins on January 1 of the next year.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Generally, once you enroll, you remain enrolled and have the option to change plans when the next Open Enrollment Period (OEP) opens. However, there are some situations that could qualify you to make a change during the rest of the year. This is called a special election period (SEP). Some examples of these situations include (but are not limited to):

You move out of the service area of ​​your Medicare Advantage plan

You qualify for Extra Help (a program that helps you pay for prescription drugs)

You qualify for Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California)

If you move to an institution (such as a nursing home)

You are leaving employer or union coverage.

Lose other creditable prescription drug coverage