Skip Part B or Part D when you first become eligible and Medicare can add a penalty to your premium for as long as you have the coverage. The good news: it is almost always avoidable, and our calculator shows you exactly what it could cost.
Use the official 2026 figures to estimate your Part B and Part D late penalties in seconds. Enter your months directly, or use the date helper. These penalties are permanent, so the calculator also shows the long-term cost.
The Part B penalty adds 10% of the standard premium ($202.90 in 2026) for each full 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll (without other job-based coverage). It is added to your premium for as long as you have Part B.
Optional: fill these to auto-calculate your months late, or just type the number below.
$0.00
Estimated monthly penalty added to your Part B premium
Enter your months above to see your estimated penalty.
The Part D penalty adds 1% of the national base premium ($38.99 in 2026) for every full month you went without Part D or other creditable drug coverage (a gap of 63+ days). It is added to your drug premium for life.
Optional: fill these to auto-calculate your uncovered months, or just type the number below.
$0.00
Estimated monthly penalty added to your Part D premium
Enter your months above to see your estimated penalty.
A late enrollment penalty is a permanent amount added to your monthly premium if you went without coverage you were supposed to have. For Part D, it applies after a gap of 63 or more days without creditable drug coverage. For Part B, it applies for each full year you delayed without job-based coverage. Neither is a one-time fine — they stick with you for as long as you keep the coverage, and they grow over time.
Sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday, even if you take few or no medications.
Employer, union, or VA drug coverage that is at least as good as Part D counts. Keep the notice that proves it.
If you lose creditable coverage, get a Part D plan within 63 days to stay penalty-free.
If you are paying a penalty you believe is wrong, for example because you actually had creditable coverage, you can ask for a review called a reconsideration. There is a form and a deadline, and proof of your prior coverage is key. We can point you to the process and help you gather what you need.
Real reviews from the people we have kept on track and penalty-free.
Whether you are new to Medicare or losing other coverage, we will make sure you have compliant Part B and Part D coverage in place on time. No fees, no obligation, no pressure.
Cole Insure, LLC is a licensed independent insurance agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. Estimates are based on official 2026 figures (Part B standard premium $202.90; Part D national base beneficiary premium $38.99) and are illustrative, not a quote of your actual penalty. Penalties are calculated and assessed by Medicare and Social Security based on amounts that change annually, so your penalty can rise over time and lasts as long as you keep the coverage. Creditable coverage determinations and penalty reconsiderations are handled by Medicare and its contractors. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. To get information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Details are current as of 2026 and subject to change.