The answer
Can I avoid the Part B penalty?
Yes, you can avoid the Part B (medical) penalty by enrolling on time or by having qualifying coverage that lets you delay.
The simplest way is to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period, the seven-month window around your 65th birthday. If you keep working past 65 and have active employer coverage through a job with 20 or more employees, you can delay Part B without penalty and enroll later using a Special Enrollment Period, which gives you 8 months after that employment or coverage ends, whichever comes first. Watch out: retiree coverage, COBRA, and marketplace plans do not count as qualifying coverage for this purpose, so delaying with those can trigger the penalty. To confirm your coverage qualifies, reach out to a licensed Goodsurance advisor at 1-888-301-8091 (TTY 711), Mon to Fri 8 am to 5 pm PT.