What is the Medicare late enrollment penalty?

If you delay enrolling in Medicare Part B beyond your Initial Enrollment Period without qualifying coverage, you pay a 10% surcharge on the standard premium for each full 12-month period you were without coverage. This penalty lasts for life.

How is the Initial Enrollment Period calculated?

Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window: it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after your birthday month.

Are these calculators official Medicare tools?

No. These are educational estimators based on CMS published guidelines. Results are estimates only and do not constitute official Medicare determinations. Always verify with Medicare.gov or a licensed Medicare specialist.

Free Educational Tools

Medicare Calculators: Estimate Costs, Penalties & Enrollment Dates

Q: How long does the Part B penalty last?

The Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty is permanent. It is added to your monthly Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare Part B coverage.

Q: What income triggers IRMAA?

IRMAA applies to Medicare beneficiaries whose Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior exceeds certain thresholds. For 2024, single filers with MAGI above $103,000 and joint filers above $206,000 pay higher premiums.

Q: How are Medicare drug costs determined under Part D?

Medicare Part D drug costs depend on your plan's formulary tier for each drug, your annual deductible, and whether you have reached your plan's out-of-pocket maximum. Tier 1 generic drugs have the lowest copays; Tier 5 specialty drugs have the highest.

Free tools based on official CMS guidelines to help you understand Medicare penalties, enrollment windows, income surcharges, and prescription drug costs. Updated for 2026 rates. No personal information required.

Missing your enrollment window creates a permanent monthly surcharge. Use the tools below to estimate your exact costs before you enroll.

Learn More About Medicare Costs and Enrollment

Missing your enrollment window creates a permanent monthly surcharge on your Part B and Part D premiums — for life. These tools help you estimate that cost before you enroll.

Higher-income beneficiaries also pay an IRMAA surcharge based on income from two years prior. Use the IRMAA calculator to check your tier. All results are educational estimates based on CMS guidelines.

Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty Calculator

Estimate your lifetime Medicare penalty based on late enrollment. Calculate your permanent Part B and Part D surcharges based on how many months you delayed.

Ideal for people who delayed Medicare enrollment after age 65.

Calculate My Penalty

Based on official CMS guidelines Updated for 2026 rates No personal info required

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period Calculator

Calculate your Initial Enrollment Period to ensure you sign up at the right time. See your exact 7-month window so you never miss it.

Perfect for individuals approaching their 65th birthday.

Find My IEP Dates

Based on official CMS guidelines Updated for 2026 rates No personal info required

Medicare IRMAA Calculator

Calculate how much you'll pay for Medicare based on your income. Enter your filing status and MAGI to see your Part B premium and Part D surcharge tier.

Designed for higher-income Medicare beneficiaries.

Check My IRMAA Tier

Based on official CMS guidelines Updated for 2026 rates No personal info required

Medicare Drug Cost Estimator

Estimate your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs under Medicare. Select your drug's formulary tier and fill frequency to see your estimated annual and monthly costs under Part D.

Helpful for those taking regular prescription medications.

Estimate Drug Costs

Based on official CMS guidelines Updated for 2026 rates No personal info required

Medicare Plan Recommendation Calculator

Answer a few questions to receive a personalized Medicare plan recommendation. Tell us about your doctors, prescriptions, and priorities — get your free coverage profile in under 2 minutes.

For everyone exploring Medicare Advantage plan options.

Start My Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Costs

Common questions about Medicare penalties, enrollment timing, income adjustments, and drug costs.

If you don't sign up for Medicare Part B when you're first eligible and don't have qualifying coverage (such as employer insurance), you'll pay an additional 10% on the standard Part B premium for every full 12-month period you delayed. This surcharge is permanent and lasts for as long as you have Part B. The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium per month delayed, also permanent.

The Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty is permanent. It is added to your monthly Part B premium for as long as you remain enrolled in Medicare Part B. This makes timely enrollment especially important — even a short delay of 13 months results in a 10% surcharge for life.

Your 7-month IEP begins on the first day of the month three months before your 65th birthday month. It ends on the last day of the month three months after your birthday month. For example, if your birthday is June 15, your IEP runs from March 1 through September 30 of the year you turn 65. Use our IEP Calculator to find your exact dates.

IRMAA applies when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior exceeds certain thresholds. For 2024, single filers with MAGI above $103,000 and joint filers above $206,000 pay higher premiums. Social Security uses your most recent tax return on file; you can appeal if your income has significantly decreased due to a life-changing event.

Medicare Part D drug costs depend on your plan's formulary tier for each drug, your annual deductible, and whether you have reached your plan's out-of-pocket maximum (MOOP). Tier 1 generic drugs have the lowest copays; Tier 5 specialty drugs have the highest. The 2024 maximum Part D deductible is $545, and the catastrophic out-of-pocket cap is $8,000. Use our Drug Cost Estimator to see your projected costs.

No. These are educational estimators provided by MyMedicareFit, an independent non-government resource. Results are estimates based on CMS published figures and general Medicare rules. They do not constitute official Medicare determinations. Always verify with Medicare.gov or a licensed Medicare specialist for decisions affecting your coverage.