The Part B penalty increases your monthly Part B premium by 10% for each full 12-month period you were eligible for Part B benefits but did not receive them because you never enrolled. There are two main ways to avoid the Part B penalty and enroll in the right medical coverage at the right time. You can delay enrolling in Part B, you must have group health coverage through your own or a spouse’s current employer, and have had that coverage – or have had Part B – during the first month you qualified for Medicare. You then must enroll in Part B coverage within the eight months following the last day of the month in which the sooner of these two things happens:
- Your or your spouse’s current employment status ends (even if coverage under the group health plan continues).
- Your or your spouse’s current employment-related group health plan coverage ends (even if you continue to be employed).
Learn More: Can I get financial assistance to help pay for Medicare?
People Also Read: What are Medicare Enrollment Periods? What is Medicare Tax?
