Can I Avoid the Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty?
Yes. You can avoid the Part B penalty by enrolling during your Initial Enrollment Period or by maintaining qualifying employer coverage (active employment, 20+ employees) until you enroll through a Special Enrollment Period.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does COBRA protect me from the penalty?
- No. COBRA is not based on active employment and does not count as qualifying coverage for penalty avoidance.
- What proof do I need?
- You'll need a letter from your employer confirming dates of employment and group health coverage. This is called the CMS-L564 form.
- What if I had a short gap between employer coverage and Medicare?
- Even a short gap can result in a penalty if it covers a full 12-month period. Try to time your Part B enrollment to avoid any gap.