There are important gaps in seniors’ knowledge of enrollment deadlines. Medicare beneficiaries have to sign up for the drug benefit by May 15 or pay higher premiums if they enroll in the future, unless they previously had what the government calls “creditable” coverage.

Among seniors who may still enroll – those still deciding or say they plan to enroll but haven’t yet - nearly half (46%) are unaware of the enrollment deadline, saying either an incorrect deadline, or that they don’t know. A similar share believe there is either no financial penalty for late enrollment (21%) or don’t know if there is a penalty (33%).