I am no expert but was told when this all started that there was no penalty. You sign up anytime you want to, when ever you need it. If a person has to pay more I would suspect there is another reason like age. I don't have prescription coverage, but I would if I took all the pills the doctor wants me to take. I only take one which is blood pressure prescription that costs $50 a month.

I believe when Part D was started, it was always stated that you would pay a penalty for enrolling late, just like Part B.
Look at the Medicare site, it should all be stated there.

Sorry vala55, but enrolling in Medicare Part D is not a whenever you need it or want it program.

The Annual Election Period is the time of year in which you can join, drop, or switch Part D plans. The 2010 Annual Election Period begins on November 15 and ends on December 31, 2010. If you do not enroll/switch by December 31, 2010, you may not be eligible until the next Annual Election Period in 2011, which will be October 15 through December 7, 2011.

From the Medicare.com website:
"If you don't join a Medicare drug plan when you were first eligible for Medicare, and you didn?t have other creditable prescription
drug coverage, or you didn't have Medicare prescription drug coverage or other creditable prescription drug coverage for 63 days or more in a row, you will receive a late enrollment penalty.

If you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan during your initial enrollment period, and then decide to enroll later, the Medicare Part D program may add a 1% per month increase in your Part D premium. For example, it you decide to enroll 7 months after your initial enrollment period, then your premium could increase by 7 percent."

I'm sorry, but when it came out, and I was helping my Mother and Aunt enroll, it was made clear that one MUST sign up in the initial period (if eligible) or pay a penalty later on. I did know several people who signed up, even though they weren't really in need of the coverage at the time.

And don't forget to check your state's coverage. I imagine that can vary from state to state, but here, when one is on Medicare Part D, the state pays any expenses associated with that AND all the med costs except for $5. So my Aunt and Mom only paid $5 for each 90 day supply of each med they were prescribed--and have no other enrollment, premium or other expenses associated with their medications.

thank you duluth for telling me of my error. I believed it to be true, it was a professional who told me.

It's a very confusing thing for people to have to deal with. There is much to consider when approaching 65 and becoming Medicare eligible.

azzalea -- That sounds more like Medicaid.

I guess DH is 'stuck'. He's saved about $2000 in premiums for the Part D insurance policies he didn't take 2006 - 2010. That will pay his penalty for about nine years. In 2020 he starts losing money. (If inflation returns, he'll lose less. LOL)

I do understand the need for *everyone* to contribute to the 'pot' if we are ever to have enough care for all.

Chisue, no, I'm NOT talking about Medicaid. Neither my Mom or Aunt were on Medicaid, ever. I'm talking about the drug help offered to seniors in my state. There is an income qualifier--but it was high enough that my mom with her significant investments, and my aunt--with 3-4 pensions--still qualified.

As I said, different states may have different (or no) drug assistance programs for the elderly, but it's certainly worth asking the question.

azzalea -- I don't think Illinois has a generous program like that. Might you be in Massachusetts? I know they have comprehensive care programs -- which, however, are draining the state because the base isn't big enough.

When DH was first prescribed these expensive drugs, we were able to get a LITTLE help from our county -- about 5% off retail.

GOOD NEWS: I had a brainstorm and remembered that we both had drugs covered *within* a medical plan we had through the end of 2008. DH's former employer is sending me verification that the coverage was 'creditable'. This means he's been 'bad' for only 24 months, and his penalty will be $7.76/mo ($93/yr). That adds less than a third of the premium for the 2011 Part D policy.

I wonder how many other people do not know they face a penalty if they have no Part D? If you aren't prescribed expensive drugs it's unlikely you'd be thinking about insurance to help pay for them.