Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty calculator: what could a delay cost?
Enter the months a person could have had Part B without coverage from current employment, and the standard premium, to estimate the penalty. Built for HR teams answering employee Medicare questions.
Estimate the Part B late enrollment penalty.
Use the current standard premium from Medicare.gov. The result updates as you type.
Count months after the enrollment period ended when the person had neither.
Enter the current amount from Medicare.gov. The default is a placeholder.
Your estimate
An estimate from the figures you enter. Medicare sets the actual penalty.
How is the Part B penalty figured?
Medicare adds 10 percent to the Part B premium for each full 12-month period a person could have had Part B but did not sign up. The amount is added to the monthly premium and is generally charged for as long as the person has Part B. Partial years do not count, so a delay of 30 months counts as two full periods.
Who can delay without a penalty?
A person who has group health coverage through current employment, their own or a spouse, at an employer with 20 or more employees can usually delay Part B without a penalty and enroll later during a special enrollment period. COBRA and retiree coverage do not count as current employment, so people on those plans should not wait. Employer size matters for how the group plan works with Medicare.
Common questions
Does COBRA let someone delay Part B?
No. COBRA does not give a special enrollment period or protect against the penalty. People who rely on it can face a penalty.
How long does the special enrollment period last?
It lasts 8 months after the group coverage or the job ends, whichever comes first.
Does the size of the employer matter?
Yes. Rules on whether Medicare or the group plan pays first depend on employer size. Our employer size checker shows the thresholds.
Where can an employee get help?
Medicare and the Social Security Administration handle enrollment. We can help employers explain how the group plan works with Medicare.
Laws and rules referenced
42 C.F.R. § 408.22 — Part B premium increase of 10% for each full 12 months of delayed enrollment.
This tool gives estimates for education, not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so confirm your situation with a qualified advisor.
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