If there’s one mistake that can follow you for life, it’s missing your window to enroll in Medicare Part B.

It’s easy to do — especially if you’re still working, covered under a spouse’s plan, or thinking COBRA buys you time.

But once that window closes, the late enrollment penalty doesn’t just sting once… it sticks around forever.

Let’s make sure that never happens to you.

The Problem

Every year, thousands of people find out too late that they should have enrolled in Medicare Part B when their employer coverage ended.

They didn’t mean to make a mistake — they simply didn’t know the rules.

Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t forgive confusion.

If you delay Part B when you were supposed to enroll, you’ll pay a 10% penalty for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t.

And that penalty is added to your monthly premium for life.

The Myth That Causes Trouble

“I still have insurance through my job (or my spouse’s job), so I don’t need Medicare yet.”

That’s only true if the employer coverage is from a company with 20 or more employees and the plan is creditable.

Otherwise, Medicare expects to be your primary insurance once you turn 65 — and your employer plan may only pay secondary, or not at all.

How the Penalty Adds Up

Let’s say you delay Part B for 3 years after you were supposed to enroll.

• 2025 Part B premium: $185.00/month

• 10% penalty × 3 years = 30% penalty

• 30% × $185.00 = $55.50 extra per month

That means you’d pay $240.50/month — every month — for as long as you have Medicare.

Over 10 years, that’s more than $6,600 in avoidable penalties.

The Exceptions That Protect You

You can safely delay Part B without penalty if:

1. You’re covered under a large employer plan (20+ employees) through active employment (yours or your spouse’s).

2. The coverage is creditable according to Medicare standards.

3. You enroll in Part B within 8 months of the job or coverage ending.

If any of these conditions aren’t met, you must enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) around your 65th birthday — or face penalties.

What Doesn’t Count

• COBRA

• Retiree coverage

• Severance packages

• Marketplace (ACA) coverage

None of these are considered “active employment coverage” by Medicare.

Relying on them to delay Part B almost always results in penalties.

Real-Life Example

A client in her late 60s stayed on her husband’s small business plan after he turned 65.

They assumed it was fine because they were still paying premiums through his company.

When he retired, they learned their employer plan was secondary to Medicare all along.

Because she delayed Part B for two years, she now pays a 20% penalty every month for life — roughly $51 extra per month.

It wasn’t the plan’s fault. It wasn’t Medicare’s fault. It was a simple misunderstanding that cost her thousands.

How to Avoid It

1. Confirm your plan type.
   Ask your employer or HR department whether your coverage is primary or secondary to Medicare.

2. Get it in writing.
   Request a “Creditable Coverage” letter confirming whether you can delay Medicare safely.

3. Track your enrollment window.
   If you’re retiring soon, mark your calendar — you have 8 months after employment ends to enroll penalty-free.

4. Ask for help before you decide.
   A licensed broker can walk you through your specific situation and protect you from making an expensive mistake.

The Bottom Line

Medicare penalties aren’t about punishment — they’re about timing.

If you know the rules before you make a move, you’ll stay protected, avoid lifetime penalties, and never pay for coverage you don’t need.

At Mere, we help you make those decisions with confidence — so you can focus on your health, not the fine print.

📞 Call 904-654-5450 or visit www.merebenefits.com to schedule your no-cost Medicare review today.

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