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4 min read

Common mistakes and late enrollment penalties

Avoid costly, sometimes lifelong, penalties.

Part B late penalty

If you don’t sign up for Part B when first eligible and don’t have qualifying coverage from current employment, your premium may go up 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B. This penalty usually lasts as long as you have Part B.

Part D late penalty

If you go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable drug coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period, you may pay a penalty added to your premium for as long as you have drug coverage.

Other common mistakes

  • Assuming COBRA or retiree coverage lets you delay Part B.
  • Not checking that doctors are in a plan’s network.
  • Not reviewing your plan each fall — plans can change every year.
  • Missing the Medigap Open Enrollment window.

This guide is general education, not advice about a specific plan. Rules and amounts can change each year.

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