Editing Medicare (United States) (section)

==== Part A Late Enrollment Penalty ====
If an individual is not eligible for premium-free Part A, and they do not buy a premium-based Part A when they are first eligible, the monthly premium may go up 10%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Part A late enrollment penalty |url=https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs/part-a-late-enrollment-penalty |website=medicare.gov |access-date=23 April 2020 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318014907/https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs/part-a-late-enrollment-penalty |url-status=dead }}</ref> The individual must pay the higher premium for twice the number of years that they could have had Part A, but did not sign up. For example, if they were eligible for Part A for two years but did not sign up, they must pay the higher premium for four years. Usually, individuals do not have to pay a penalty if they meet certain conditions that allow them to sign up for Part A during a Special Enrollment Period.