Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP)

The ICEP is the period during which an individual newly eligible for Medicare Advantage (MA) may make an initial election to enroll in an MA plan. This period begins three months immediately before the individual’s first entitlement to both Medicare Part A and Part B and ends on the later of:

• The last day of the month preceding entitlement to both Part A and Part B, or;
• The last day of the individual’s Part B initial enrollment period.

The initial enrollment period for Part B is the seven (7) month period that begins 3 months before the month an individual meets the eligibility requirements for Part B, and ends 3 months after the month of first eligibility.

Once an ICEP election is made and enrollment takes effect, the ICEP election has been used.