Free Tool

Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty Calculator (2026)

Didn't sign up on time? Estimate your Part B and Part D penalties — both last as long as you have the coverage.

Quick answer: Medicare's late-enrollment penalties are permanent surcharges for signing up late. Part B adds 10% for each full 12 months you delayed; Part D adds 1% of the national base premium ($38.99 in 2026) for every uncovered month. Both last as long as you keep the coverage, so enrolling during your Initial Enrollment Period — or a valid Special Enrollment Period — is what avoids them.

Part B penalty

Extra Part B premium — every month, for life
Part B penalty = 10% of the standard premium ($202.90 in 2026) for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn't. It's added to your premium for as long as you have Part B.

Part D penalty

Extra Part D premium — every month, for life
Part D penalty = 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($38.99 in 2026) × the number of full uncovered months, rounded to the nearest 10¢. It recalculates each year as the base changes, and is added to your drug-plan premium for life.

📩 Join The Agent Brief — free 2026 Medicare updates

A 5-minute weekly email for Medicare & insurance agents: enrollment windows, penalty math, compliance updates, and the tools that matter. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Educational only — not advice. We never share your email.

👔 Agents: this is your best "enroll now" close.

A permanent penalty is the clearest reason a T65 prospect shouldn't wait. Our T65 Pipeline Tracker and Medicare Agent OS (Excel + Google Sheets) keep every turning-65 lead on schedule so nobody you're working misses their window.

See the agent toolkits on Etsy →

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Medicare penalty last?

Both the Part B and Part D late enrollment penalties are permanent — you pay them for as long as you have that coverage.

How is the Part B penalty calculated?

10% of the standard Part B premium for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll. 30 months late = two full years = a 20% penalty.

How is the Part D penalty calculated?

1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($38.99 in 2026) times the number of full months you went without creditable drug coverage, rounded to the nearest 10 cents.

Can I avoid the penalty?

Yes — enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, or keep creditable coverage (such as employer coverage) and enroll within the allowed window when it ends. See the Enrollment Period Finder.