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Rocco DeLuca — Vernal Medicare
Updated for 2026

Medicare Late Enrollment
Penalty Calculator

By Rocco DeLuca, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent · Updated July 2026 · How we keep this accurate

See whether delaying Medicare could permanently raise your premiums. The Part B penalty adds 10% to your premium for each full 12 months you delayed; the Part D penalty adds 1% of the 2026 base premium ($38.99) for each full month you went without creditable drug coverage. Both are usually permanent.

Enter how long you went without coverage to estimate both your Part B and Part D penalties at once — both usually last for as long as you have Medicare.

Usually Permanent

Once the penalty applies, it's added to your premium for as long as you have that coverage.

Part B: 10% Per Year

Your Part B premium goes up 10% for each full 12 months you could have had it but didn't.

Part D: 1% Per Month

Added for each full month you went without Part D or other creditable drug coverage.

Had Coverage? Maybe Not

Employer, union, or VA coverage often counts as creditable coverage — no penalty owed.

Estimate Your Penalty

Adjust the inputs below — your estimate updates as you type.

Your delay

Full months you were eligible for Medicare but didn’t enroll.

Employer, union, or VA coverage as good as Medicare’s usually counts.

Your estimated penalty

Enter your details to see an estimate.

These penalties are added to your premiums for as long as you have Medicare, and are recalculated as the base premiums rise each year — so the lifetime cost is usually far higher than a single year's estimate. If you had employer or VA coverage when you delayed, you may owe no penalty at all — see the General Enrollment Period and missed-enrollment guides, or call us to check.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Part B late enrollment penalty?
Your Part B premium goes up 10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t sign up. In most cases you pay it for as long as you have Part B.
What is the Part D late enrollment penalty?
The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($38.99 in 2026) times the number of full months you went without Part D or other creditable drug coverage. It’s added to your premium for as long as you have Part D.
How do I avoid Medicare late enrollment penalties?
Enroll when you’re first eligible, or keep creditable coverage (such as an employer plan or VA benefits) and enroll within your Special Enrollment Period when it ends.
Are the penalties permanent?
In most cases, yes. The Part B and Part D late enrollment penalties are added to your monthly premiums for as long as you have that coverage.
What counts as creditable coverage?
Coverage that’s at least as good as Medicare’s, such as an active employer group health plan, union, or VA coverage. It lets you delay Medicare without a penalty.
Do the penalty amounts change each year?
Yes. Penalties are based on the standard Part B premium and the Part D national base premium, which are set annually, so the dollar amounts can change each year.

Sources

Talk to a local, licensed agent

Rocco DeLuca can walk you through your options — free, no pressure.

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