# Uber Driver Faces Medicare Penalty

> Uber driver misses Medicare deadline, risking 10% annual penalty.
- Title: Uber Driver Faces Medicare Penalty · 24/7 Wall St. | Shortify
- Summary: Uber driver misses Medicare deadline, risking 10% annual penalty. A 65-year-old Uber driver who pays for his own health insurance could face a 10% annual…
- Keywords: uber, medicare, part b, health insurance, enrollment penalty, medicare penalty, medicare special enrollment period, medicare initial enrollment period, medicare premium, medicare late enrollment penalty, Driver, Faces
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/10/24/he-kept-driving-for-uber-and-paying-for-health-insurance-medicare-could-still-add-a-10-late-enrollment-penalty
- Author: Gerelyn Terzo
- Published: 2026-10-24T10:00:14+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: uber, medicare, part b, health insurance, enrollment penalty, medicare penalty, medicare special enrollment period, medicare initial enrollment period, medicare premium, medicare late enrollment penalty
## Uber Driver's Health Insurance
A 65-year-old Uber driver pays hundreds of dollars monthly for his own health insurance.
## Medicare's Enrollment Rule
Medicare requires employer group coverage tied to current work or spouse's job for a Special Enrollment Period.
## Individual Policy Risk
His individual health policy doesn't qualify for Medicare's Special Enrollment Period.
## 10% Late-Enrollment Penalty
Missing the deadline adds a 10% penalty per full 12-month period without Part B enrollment.
## Penalty Calculation
The penalty grows with Part B's monthly premium, which rose $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025.
## COBRA and Retiree Plans
COBRA and retiree coverage don't extend the Special Enrollment Period deadline.
## Enrollment Deadline
The seven-month Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before birthday month and ends three months after.
## What to Do Next
Ask benefits office if coverage is tied to current work or spouse's job to avoid penalty.
## Key takeaway

A 65-year-old Uber driver who pays for his own health insurance could face a 10% annual Medicare penalty if he doesn't enroll in Part B within his seven-month window.