Regarding the 10% per year penalty for not signing up

I haven't really studied the details because exceptions did not apply to me. I do believe there are some, much as there are to Part D (prescription drug coverage). On that, if you have proof of "credible coverage", the rising rates do not apply. I believe there are similar provisions to Part B, but again, you might have to do some digging. Check AARP, and Mymedicare.gov. You might even be in a town with a well informed senior center, but be aware that they are not going to accept responsibility for misinformation they might provide. Be very careful. It is a minefield out there.

Is HealthNet Family Plan an HMO through your place of employment?

A person doesn't pay the penalty if they don't sign up for Part B, because they were covered through either theirs or a spouses insurance through work.

http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf


Special Enrollment Period
If you didn’t sign up for Part A and/or Part B (for which you pay monthly premiums) when you were first eligible because you’re covered under a group health plan based on current employment, you can sign up for Part A and/or Part B as follows:
Anytime that you or your spouse (or family member if you’re disabled) are working, and you’re covered by a group health plan through the employer or union based on that work
Or
During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the group health plan coverage ends, whichever happens first
Usually, you don’t pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period. This Special Enrollment Period doesn’t apply to people with End‑Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). See page 19. You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’re a volunteer serving in a foreign country.
Note: If you have COBRA coverage or a retiree health plan, you don’t have coverage based on current employment. You’re not eligible for a special enrollment period when that coverage ends.

does your wife know you plan to divorce her 10 years down the road?

Thanks, chai. I think your last sentence was the part I was thinking of when I said 'minefield'.

oh....that was a direct cut and paste off the Medicare website. I'm not smart enough to type all those words.

My husbands of medicare age, but he's on my insurance.

If I leave my place of employment, he doesn't have to wait for a special time to get on medicare, he can sign right up.

My Health Net Plan is a Retiree Plan. That's why it is subject to the 10% penalty. I confirmed that by calling Medicare and asking.
So, again, is there anything I can do to make things better 10 years down the road. Also, in response to the question: Does your wife know that you are planning to divorce her? I never spoke the words that I was planning to divorce her. I said theoretically speaking what if we were to divorce? I was merely giving an example of a possibility that could create catastrophic problems for my wife 10 years down the road. It really is unfair to misquote me like that.

Mel