US Medical Term · insurance
Initial Enrollment Period
Período de Inscripción Inicial
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Initial Enrollment Period |
| Spanish (Español) | Período de Inscripción Inicial |
| Chinese (中文) | 初始注册期 |
| Korean (한국어) | 초기 등록 기간 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thời gian đăng ký ban đầu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Initial Enrollment Period |
| Portuguese (Português) | Período de Inscrição Inicial |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ช่วงเวลาลงทะเบียนครั้งแรก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 初回加入期間 |
What it means
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is the seven-month window during which you first become eligible for Medicare. It starts three months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and ends three months after. Enrolling in Part B during the first three months of your IEP means coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month; waiting until later delays your start date. Missing your IEP without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period—typically available when you have active employer coverage—can result in permanent late-enrollment penalties added to your monthly Part B premium. Part A is generally premium-free for those who worked at least 10 years.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
IEP—initial enrollment period
período de inscripción inicial
first Medicare sign-up window at 65
primera ventana de inscripción de Medicare a los 65
seven-month Medicare enrollment window
ventana de inscripción de Medicare de siete meses
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026