WARNING: IGNORE THIS MESSAGE AND YOU COULD BE PAYING THE PRICE FOR LIFE!

Yeah, you read that right. Medicare penalties are lurking, ready to hit you with surprise fees that can stick with you for the REST of your life. But here’s the good news... these penalties are EASY to avoid, if you know the game and play it right.

So, what’s the deal with these so-called Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties?

Well, let me break it down for you before it’s too late...

PART A Penalty – The “I Didn’t Sign Up On Time” Fee

If you don’t qualify for the free Part A (most folks do, but not all), and you skip signing up during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), the government slaps you with a 10% hike on your premium. That’s right, you’re paying EXTRA just because you were late to the party. And to twist the knife, you’ll pay that penalty for DOUBLE the number of years you waited to enroll. Missed two years? You’re coughing up extra cash for four years.

PART B Penalty – The “Forever Fee”

This one’s worse. Much worse.
If you missed the deadline to sign up for Part B, your premium goes up 10% for every 12-month period you could have had Part B. And here’s the kicker: This penalty never goes away. You’ll be paying it for as long as you have Medicare.
Yep, that’s right—miss the deadline, and you’re stuck paying MORE for the rest of your life. Let that sink in.

PART D Penalty – The Silent Killer

Think you’re off the hook with your prescription drug coverage? Think again.
If you go without Part D (or another acceptable drug plan) for 63 days or more after your enrollment period, they hit you with a penalty that gets tacked onto your monthly premium. And you keep paying that penalty as long as you have drug coverage. Miss the deadline? It’ll cost you—month after month, year after year.

HOW DO YOU AVOID THESE LIFETIME PENALTIES?

It’s simple: don’t wait. Don’t try to outsmart the system.

Step 1: Sign up when you’re 65.

Step 2: If you’re still working and have coverage through your job, make sure it qualifies as "creditable coverage." That way, you won’t get hit with penalties when you finally do sign up for Medicare.

Minimum Coverage: Not as Safe as You Think

Some people think they can just skate by with the bare minimum—like signing up for Part A and calling it a day. But guess what? That’s only going to protect you from Part A penalties. You’ll still need to think about Part B and Part D, or you’ll end up paying through the nose later.

Declining Medicare Altogether? BIG Mistake!

If you flat-out decline Medicare, thinking you'll deal with it later, you’re opening yourself up to a world of financial hurt. Those penalties aren’t a slap on the wrist—they’re a lifetime burden. And by the time you realize you’ve made a mistake, it could already be too late.

Here’s the Bottom Line:

Don’t gamble with your future. These Medicare penalties are real, they’re costly, and they’ll follow you for the rest of your life if you make the wrong move.
You can avoid all of this by making the right choices NOW. The best way to do that? Talk to someone who knows the ins and outs of Medicare. Someone who can help you navigate the system and make sure you’re not leaving yourself vulnerable to these sneaky penalties.

ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

Reach out to Tim or one of our licensed agents today. We’ll walk you through your options, make sure you’re protected, and help you avoid these costly mistakes. Your future self will thank you.

This isn’t just about covering your healthcare for today—it’s about protecting yourself from the financial hit that could haunt you for years to come. Don’t risk it. Get it right the first time.