How to Avoid the Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty in 2026

One of the most costly Medicare mistakes is missing an enrollment deadline. Unlike most insurance penalties, Medicare late enrollment penalties are permanent — they are added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare.

Part B Late Penalty

If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible, your premium increases by 10% for every 12-month period you went without it. Miss two years and that is a 20% permanent surcharge on top of the standard Part B premium.

Part D Late Penalty

The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base premium for each month you went without creditable coverage. In 2026, the base premium is $36.78 — so a 12-month gap costs roughly $4.41 extra per month, every month, for life.

Who Is Exempt?

You can delay Part B or Part D without penalty if you have creditable coverage through an employer or union plan. Always get written confirmation from your HR department — verbal assurance is not enough.

Your Initial Enrollment Window

Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window: 3 months before your 65th birthday month, the birthday month itself, and 3 months after. Enrolling in the first 3 months means coverage starts the month you turn 65.

Turning 65 soon? Wisler offers free enrollment guidance so you do not miss a deadline or pay a penalty you did not need to.