We can't tell you what the exact amount of your penalty would be, if one applies to you. We can provide you with an estimate of the maximum penalty that you might be charged. If you were eligible for Medicare drug coverage starting January 1, 2007, the most your penalty would be if your enrollment starts in January 2010 would be around $10.00 per month for 2010. The penalty amount would be the same no matter which plan you join. Once you enroll, the penalty amount will be determined by Medicare and your plan will charge you that amount.
To estimate the penalty, find the national base beneficiary premium for the year ($30.36 in 2009, $31.94 in 2010) and take 1% of that ($.30 in 2009, $0.32 in 2010). Multiply it by the number of uncovered, full calendar months (during any continuous period of 63 days or more), since the end of your initial enrollment period (IEP), during which you did not have creditable coverage. Take the answer and round it to the nearest 10 cents. This amount will be added to your plan's premium amount even if the plan's premium is $0. Your penalty will change each year that the national average premium changes.