Missing This Medicare Deadline Could Raise Your Premiums

By Maurie Backman – Mar 6, 2026 at 2:32PM ESTKey PointsDelaying Medicare enrollment could be a costly decision.If you wait too long to sign up, you could end up paying more for life.Signing up for Medicare is something many older Americans rush to do as soon as they're able to. But you may have your reasons for delaying your Medicare enrollment. Unfortunately, they may come back to haunt you. Not only does waiting too long to sign up for Medicare put you at risk of a gap in health insurance coverage, but it could also mean getting stuck with more expensive premiums for life. Let's review how Medicare enrollment works so you don't fall into that trap. Image source: Getty Images. What your initial Medicare enrollment period looks like Your initial Medicare enrollment window spans seven months. It begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after that month. During that initial enrollment window, you can sign up for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital care, and Part B, which covers outpatient care. You can also choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D prescription drug plan to go along with Parts A and B. If you're receiving Social Security benefits at the time of your initial Medicare enrollment window, you'll be signed up for Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, you have to actively sign up on your own. The cost of missing the deadline If you don't sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment window, you'll have other opportunities to do so in the future. But the problem with missing that initial enrollment window is that it could leave you on the hook for surcharges on your Medicare premiums for life.

For Medicare Part B, you'll face a 10% surcharge on your premiums per 12-month period you were eligible for coverage but didn't enroll.

For Medicare Part D, you'll face surcharges if you go 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage after your initial enrollment period ends. Now you should know that if you're still working and covered by a qualifying group health plan during your initial Medicare enrollment window, you can generally avoid these penalties if you sign up during the special enrollment period you get due to these circumstances. But if you're not eligible for a special enrollment period, waiting on Medicare could end up being a costly mistake. Know when you're supposed to sign up You might think delaying your Medicare enrollment is no big deal. Clearly, that's not the case. Pay attention to when your initial enrollment period takes place so you don't make a mistake you end up regretting.Read NextMar 6, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPThe Average Social Security Check Could Reach a Key Milestone in 2026Mar 6, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPHere's How Much the New Senior Tax Deduction Will Save the Average SeniorMar 6, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPWant the Max $5,251 Social Security Benefit in 2026? Here's the Salary You Need.Mar 6, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanHow to Make Your Retirement Savings Last Against InflationMar 6, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPIs Debt Making It Impossible for You to Save for Retirement? 3 Strategies You Can Try.Mar 6, 2026 •By Kailey Hagen, CFPWorking and Claiming Social Security Early at the Same Time? A Benefit Cut Could Be in Your Future.About the AuthorMaurie Backman is a contributing Motley Fool retirement and Social Security expert with more than a decade of experience writing about personal finance, investing, and retirement planning. Maurie previously worked in finance analyzing distressed companies. She studied finance at Binghamton University.TMFBookNerd