For clarification, there is no Part A late enrollment penalty (LEP) if you are entitled to premium-free Part A. For those who must pay for Part A, note that the LEP calculation is different than the more familiar Part B LEP.ChatGPT AI says:
Qualifying for premium-free Part A: If you have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you may be eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, even if you permanently reside outside the United States.
...It's important to note that if you permanently retire abroad and do not sign up for Medicare Part A when you are first eligible, you may face a penalty if you decide to enroll at a later time.
If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the penalty for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.
Example:
If you were eligible for Part A for 2 years but didn't sign up, you'll have to pay the higher premium for 4 years.
Usually, you don't have to pay a penalty if you meet certain conditions that allow you to sign up for Part A during a Special Enrollment Period.
Reference: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties