Which action might result in a late enrollment penalty for individuals becoming eligible for Medicare?

The late enrollment penalty for Medicare specifically applies to individuals who do not sign up for Medicare Part B during their initial enrollment period. This period is usually the three months before the individual turns 65, the month they turn 65, or the three months following their 65th birthday. If an individual delays enrolling in Part B beyond this period and does not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, they will face a penalty that increases their monthly premium by 10% for each full 12-month period they were eligible but did not enroll in Part B.

This penalty underscores the importance of understanding Medicare's enrollment timelines and the consequences of missing these critical deadlines. Other actions, such as failing to sign up for Medicare Part A or not registering for TRICARE, do not result in the same type of late enrollment penalties associated with Medicare Part B.