How often does the General Enrollment Period occur?

The General Enrollment Period occurs once a year, which is why this is the correct answer. It takes place from January 1 to March 31 each year, allowing individuals who did not enroll in Medicare during their initial enrollment period to sign up. This period is crucial for those who missed their initial opportunity or delayed enrollment for various reasons.

Understanding when the General Enrollment Period occurs helps beneficiaries plan their enrollment to ensure that they don’t miss out on Medicare coverage for that year, particularly since coverage only begins on July 1 following the enrollment period. The other options suggest different frequencies that do not align with the established schedule set by Medicare guidelines, making them inaccurate. This annual frequency is important within the overall context of Medicare enrollment periods, ensuring that beneficiaries have a designated time to enroll or make adjustments to their Medicare plans.