Yes, you can cancel Medicare Part B, but it usually costs you
You can drop Medicare Part B at any time, but the consequences depend on when you cancel and what coverage you switch to. If you cancel Part B and do not have other health insurance, you will have no coverage for doctor visits, outpatient care, or preventive services. If you cancel Part B and then want it back later, you will likely pay a higher premium for the rest of your life — a permanent penalty of about 10% per year for each year you went without it.
The only time you can cancel Part B without penalty is during your initial enrollment period (the three months before, during, and after the month you turn 65) or if you have other may have access to coverage, such as employer health insurance or TRICARE. If you cancel outside these windows and later re-enroll, the penalty stays with you.
Key Takeaways
- Canceling Part B outside your initial enrollment period triggers a permanent premium increase of roughly 10% per year for each year you did not have it.
- You can cancel Part B without penalty only during your initial enrollment period or if you have other may have access to health coverage like employer insurance.
- To cancel, contact Social Security, Medicare, or your insurance company in writing — do not assume a phone call is enough.
- If you cancel Part B and have no other coverage, you will pay out of pocket for all doctor visits and outpatient services.
- If you worked past 65 and had employer coverage, you may have a special enrollment period to drop Part B without penalty when that coverage ends.
When you can cancel Part B without a lifetime penalty
You have a special enrollment period if you were covered by an employer health plan (yours or a spouse's) when you turned 65 and did not sign up for Part B at that time. When that employer coverage ends, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty. This is the main exception to the penalty rule.
You also avoid penalty if you cancel Part B during your initial enrollment period — the three-month window before the month you turn 65, the month itself, and three months after. If you enroll in Part B during this window and then cancel within the same period, you do not face a penalty. However, once your initial enrollment period closes, this window closes too.
If you have TRICARE (military health coverage) or certain other government health plans, you may also have protection from the penalty. Contact Medicare directly to confirm your situation before you cancel.
The permanent penalty for canceling Part B late
If you cancel Part B after your initial enrollment period ends and you do not have may have access to coverage, Medicare adds a late enrollment penalty to your Part B premium. The penalty is approximately 10% of the standard Part B premium for each full year you did not have Part B coverage. This penalty is permanent — it stays on your premium for as long as you have Medicare.
For example, if you cancel Part B at age 67 and do not re-enroll until age 70, you owe a penalty for three years. That penalty will be roughly 30% added to your Part B premium every month for the rest of your life. The exact amount changes each year because the base Part B premium changes, but the percentage stays the same.
The penalty applies even if you later enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or switch plans multiple times. Once it is on your record, it follows you.
How to cancel Part B
To cancel Part B, you must contact one of three places in writing. A phone call alone is not enough — Medicare requires written notice to process the cancellation.
| Contact | How to reach them | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | Mail or visit your local office | Your name, Medicare number, and the date you want Part B to end |
| Medicare | Mail: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244 | Your name, Medicare number, and the date you want Part B to end |
| Your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan | Call the plan and ask for written cancellation forms | Your name, policy number, and the date you want Part B to end |
Keep a copy of whatever you send and note the date you mailed it. Part B cancellation usually takes effect on the first day of the month after Medicare receives your request. If you cancel on the 15th of a month, your coverage typically ends on the last day of that month.
What happens to your other Medicare coverage when you drop Part B
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), dropping Part B automatically ends your Medicare Advantage coverage. You will need to choose a new plan or enroll in Original Medicare (Part A only) and buy a Medigap policy if you want coverage for doctor visits.
If you have a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance), some policies allow you to keep them while you have only Part A. Others require you to have Part B. Check your policy documents or call your Medigap insurer to find out. If your policy requires Part B and you cancel it, your Medigap coverage may end automatically.
Part A (hospital insurance) is separate from Part B. Canceling Part B does not affect Part A. If you keep Part A, you will still have coverage for hospital stays, skilled nursing, and hospice — but not for doctor visits or outpatient services.
What to do if you canceled Part B and want it back
You can re-enroll in Part B during the General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. Coverage begins July 1 of that year. However, if you canceled outside your initial enrollment period and do not have may have access to coverage, you will owe the late enrollment penalty for every year you were without Part B.
If you have a life event — such as losing employer coverage or moving to a new state — you may have a Special Enrollment Period that lets you enroll outside the General Enrollment Period. Contact Medicare within 60 days of the event to ask whether you may have access to.
The penalty applies even if you re-enroll years later. There is no way to remove it once it is assigned to your account. This is why it is important to understand the penalty before you cancel.
Questions to ask your doctor or Medicare before you cancel
Before you cancel Part B, ask your doctor whether you will need ongoing outpatient care, specialist visits, or preventive services. If you will, canceling Part B means paying the full cost out of pocket. Ask your doctor what your typical annual costs would be without insurance — this helps you decide whether canceling makes financial sense.
Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask whether you have any special enrollment periods that would let you cancel without penalty. Ask specifically whether your situation qualifies — employer coverage, TRICARE, or other government plans can change the rules.
If you are thinking about canceling because Part B is too expensive, ask Medicare about Part B premium reductions based on income. Some people with lower incomes pay a reduced premium. This is different from canceling entirely and may be a better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel Part B and keep Part A?
Yes. Part A and Part B are separate. You can cancel Part B and keep Part A, which covers hospital stays and skilled nursing care. However, you will have no coverage for doctor visits, lab work, or outpatient services. You will pay out of pocket for those.
What if I cancel Part B because I have employer insurance?
If you have employer health insurance when you turn 65, you can delay Part B without penalty. When that employer coverage ends, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without the late penalty. Contact Medicare to confirm your employer plan qualifies before you cancel Part B.
Will I lose my Medicare Advantage plan if I cancel Part B?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans require Part B enrollment. If you cancel Part B, your Medicare Advantage plan ends automatically. You will need to choose a new plan or switch to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy if you want coverage for doctor visits.
Can I cancel Part B for just one year and then re-enroll?
You can, but you will owe a late enrollment penalty for that year. The penalty is permanent and stays on your premium for life. Unless you have may have access to coverage like employer insurance, canceling Part B and re-enrolling later costs you money every month going forward.
What if I made a mistake and canceled Part B by accident?
Contact Medicare when ready. If you catch the error within a short time, Medicare may be able to reverse the cancellation. The sooner you call 1-800-MEDICARE, the better your chances. Have your Medicare number ready when you call.