Questions & answers · Health insurance
What is the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov · Avoid late enrollment penalties View original ↗
In short
- Part B adds 10% for each year you could have signed up but didn't.
- You usually pay it as long as you have Part B.
- A Special Enrollment Period can help you avoid it.
What this means
Medicare.gov says you pay an extra 10% for each year you could have signed up for Part B but didn't [1]. Here is its example. You waited 2 full years and had no Special Enrollment Period. You pay a 20% penalty plus the standard Part B premium. That premium is $202.90 in 2026 [1]. You pay the penalty for as long as you have Part B [2]. Your premium may also be higher because of your income [1].
In general you won't pay a Part B penalty if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. You also won't if you enroll in a Medicare Savings Program [1]. The sources here do not say which work situations give you a Special Enrollment Period.
Your next step
Check when you were first able to sign up for Part B. Find out if you had job coverage that gives you a Special Enrollment Period before you sign up late. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
The premium and penalty change each year and can depend on income. Social Security tells you your exact amount — "Don't know yet" here.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] Medicare.gov · Avoid late enrollment penalties · checked 2026-11-06
Generally, you won't have to pay a Part B penalty if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or you enroll in a Medicare Savings Program … You'll pay an extra 10% for each year you could have signed up for Part B, but didn't … you'll have to pay a 20% late enrollment penalty (10% for each full 12-month period that you could have signed up), plus the standard Part B monthly premium ($202.90 in 2026)
[2] Medicare.gov · Costs · checked 2026-11-06
You'll pay the penalty for as long as you have Part B
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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Answer id CQ4714. Spotted an error? Tell us.