I turned 65 in June, but I am still working. If I don't sign up for part B or C, will I have to pay extra forever or just for a month and should I go ahead and sign up and start paying now?

Hi,

If you're subject to a late enrollment penalty you'd have to pay higher Medicare premiums for life. However, you won't be subject to a late enrollment penalty for Part B of Medicare if you're covered by an employer group health plan (EGHP) that covers at least 20 employees where either you or your spouse is actively employed, and if you sign up for part B coverage within 8 months when your EGHP coverage ends.

Medicare Parts C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) are actually private insurance plans that must be approved by Medicare. I know that Part D plans require a late enrollment penalty unless you have creditable coverage through your or your spouses' employer (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/CreditableCoverage), but I'm not familiar with Medicare Advantage plan rules. Medicare's website has the following information about Medicare Advantage plans: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11219-Understanding-Medicare-Part-C-D.pdf.

Best, Jerry