What happens to the monthly premium for Part B if someone doesn't sign up during their eligibility?

• A. It remains the same throughout their life.
• B. It may increase by 10% for each full 12-month period of eligibility.
• C. It decreases after several years of non-enrollment.
• D. It is waived if the person enrolls after age 75.

Answer: (B)

When someone does not sign up for Medicare Part B during their initial eligibility period, they face a penalty that can increase their monthly premium. Specifically, the premium can rise by 10% for each full 12-month period they were eligible but did not enroll. This penalty is a way to encourage timely enrollment in Part B, and it is applied for as long as the individual has Part B coverage.

The rationale behind this policy is that delaying enrollment could lead to gaps in coverage and increased healthcare costs that would not have been anticipated if the individual had enrolled on time. Therefore, this penalization serves as an incentive for individuals to enroll when they are first eligible, to help maintain the integrity of the program and ensure that individuals do not wait until they need medical care before signing up.

This policy clearly distinguishes Part B from other options, like staying the same throughout life, decreasing after several years, or being waived after a certain age, which do not accurately reflect how penalties for delayed enrollment are structured in Medicare.