Which statement about Medicare Part B enrollment penalties is accurate?

• A. There are always penalties for late enrollment.
• B. Late enrollment penalties apply if you go without Part B when eligible and do not qualify for a special enrollment period.
• C. There are never any penalties for late enrollment.
• D. Penalties apply only if you enroll in Part D late.

Answer: (B)

Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties kick in when you’re eligible for Part B but delay signing up and you don’t have credible coverage or a qualifying Special Enrollment Period. The idea is that Part B provides ongoing coverage, so delaying enrollment without a valid exemption leads to a penalty. The penalty is added to your Part B premium and can last for as long as you have Part B, typically calculated as a 10% increase for each 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t enroll. That’s why the statement that penalties apply if you go without Part B when eligible and do not qualify for a special enrollment period is the accurate one—there’s no penalty if you have a valid SEP or credible coverage, and penalties don’t apply to Part D in this context.