Postponing your Medicare sign-up beyond the initial enrollment window can lead to substantial, and sometimes lasting, penalties when you eventually enroll. In some cases, these penalties are irreversible and will accompany you for the duration of your Medicare coverage.

Each part of Medicare has specific rules regarding the circumstances under which penalties are imposed, how much the penalties are, and how long you're required to pay them.

Choose which penalty you would like to calculate and get more information about. Contact a Medicare Pro if you need some extra help!

Late Enrollment
Penalty Calculators

Medicare Part A Late Enrollment Penalty

Most people don’t pay premiums for Medicare Part A, so they never need to worry about late enrollment penalties. However, those who don’t qualify for premium-free Part A are subject to penalties if they sign up late.

If you have to pay premiums for Medicare Part A and you didn’t sign up during your initial enrollment period, you’ll pay a penalty. The penalty adds an extra 10% to the monthly premium for Part A ($505 per month in 2024), and it lasts for twice the number of full years you went without signing up.

For example, if you went without signing up for Medicare Part A for two years, you would owe the extra penalty amount for four years. In 2024, the penalty would add more than $50 to your bill each month. In later years, the penalty could go up or down along with the Part A premium.

Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty

If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you’ll have to pay extra when you do sign up, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

The Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty adds 10% to your Medicare Part B premium for each full year that you could have signed up for Part B, but didn’t. The penalty is permanent: You’ll pay the extra amount for as long as you have Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part D Late Enrollment Penalty

If you go too long without Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or other prescription drug coverage that’s at least as good after your initial enrollment period ends, you’ll generally have permanent penalties added to your Medicare Part D premium once you sign up

The Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty adds 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($34.70 per month in 2024) to your Medicare Part D premium for each full month you went without qualifying prescription drug coverage.

For example, if you went without qualifying coverage for 24 months, your penalty would be 24% of the national base beneficiary premium. For 2024, 24% of $34.70 would work out to an extra $8.33 every month (rounded to the nearest 10 cents).

Late Enrollment Penalty Calculators

Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty

Late Enrollment
Penalty Calculators