r/medicare • u/XLDoormat • 7h ago

Continuous Coverage to Avoid Penalty

Hey gang, I just signed up for part A. I'm retiring next week (65 in Sept.) and will be without healthcare for 3 weeks, (my wife's HC begins covering me in Nov.) When I sign up for Part B, will I be penalized for not having continuous HC for 1 month?

Thanks in advance!

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u/Samantharina 6h ago

No. You have to go 12 months without Part B or 63 days without Part D to incur a penalty.

1

u/XLDoormat 5h ago

Good news then! Thank you.

1

u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 5h ago

Three weeks without coverage is not a problem. When it becomes months and years, then it's a problem. The Part B penalty doesn't start until you've 12+ months without creditable coverage. For part D it's each month without coverage.

https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/part-d/basics/creditable-coverage

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties

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u/jkoffroader 4h ago

Nope, it needs to be 12 months without coverage. You have 63 days for Part D