Your next chance to sign up
The General Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31 each year. Sign up through Social Security online, at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or at a Social Security office. Part B starts the first day of the month after you sign up.
Before using it, check whether you qualify for a special enrollment period instead, which may avoid both the wait and the penalty:
- Group coverage from your or your spouse's current job ended within the last 8 months.
- You lost NC Medicaid coverage.
- A government, employer or health plan error, or a declared emergency or disaster such as a hurricane, kept you from signing up.
- You were volunteering abroad, or were released from incarceration.
The penalties
| Part | Penalty | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Part B | 10% of the standard premium ($202.90 in 2026) for each full 12 months you could have had Part B | Usually as long as you have Part B |
| Part D | 1% of the national base beneficiary premium ($38.99 in 2026) for each full month without creditable drug coverage, after 63 days in a row | Usually as long as you have Part D |
| Part A (only if you pay a premium) | 10% higher premium | Twice the number of years you could have had it |
Estimate yours with the late enrollment penalty calculator.
North Carolina situations to watch
- Waiting to claim Social Security: you're enrolled automatically only if you already get benefits. Most North Carolina public and private workers pay into Social Security, so many people who plan to claim later simply forget that Medicare sign-up is a separate step at 65.
- State Health Plan retirees: without Part A and Part B in effect, you can't use the Plan's group Medicare Advantage options and are placed on the 70/30 Plan. On the 70/30 Plan, the Plan pays claims as if you had Part B, so skipping Part B leaves you paying the share Part B would have paid. See State Health Plan retirees and Medicare.
- Medigap: North Carolina's 6-month Medigap open enrollment starts when you're 65 and Part B begins, even if you sign up late. The state has no birthday rule, so use that window.
Not sure which window applies? You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. See Medicare enrollment periods.
Related questions
Do I need Part B if I'm still working at 65?
When job coverage protects you.
How do I sign up for Medicare in North Carolina?
Online, by phone or in person.
What are the Medicare deadlines for 2027?
Every date in one place.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Avoid late enrollment penalties
- Medicare.gov — When does Medicare coverage start?
- Social Security — Sign up for Medicare
- eCFR — 42 CFR Part 407, Part B enrollment and special enrollment periods
- State Health Plan — Retiree presentation (Parts A and B, 70/30 Plan without Part B)
- NC Medicaid — How to apply
More questions in this guide
- Can I get Medicare before 65 in North Carolina?
- Do I need Medicare Part B if I'm still working at 65 in North Carolina?
- How do I sign up for Medicare in North Carolina?
- What are the Medicare deadlines in North Carolina for 2027?
- When should I sign up for Medicare if I'm turning 65 in North Carolina?
Part of the guide: Medicare enrollment periods in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I avoid the penalty if I had job coverage?
Yes. If you or your spouse had group coverage from current work at an employer with 20 or more employees, you qualify for a special enrollment period and owe no Part B penalty if you sign up within 8 months after that job or coverage ends. COBRA and retiree coverage don't count.
What if someone gave me wrong information?
If a federal employee, or your employer's or health plan's representative, gave you incorrect information, or another exceptional circumstance kept you from enrolling, you may qualify for a special enrollment period. Ask Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and keep any written proof.
Can North Carolina help pay my Medicare costs?
If your income and resources are limited, NC Medicaid's Medicare Savings Programs (MQB) can pay your Part B premium, and people who get Extra Help don't pay the Part D penalty. Apply through ePASS or your county Department of Social Services.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
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