How to Decline or Stop Medicare Part B Coverage

You can turn down Part B when you first become may be able to access, or drop it later — but the timing and the penalties matter

You do not have to take Medicare Part B. You can refuse it when you turn 65, or you can drop it after you have enrolled. The catch is that if you wait too long to sign up later, you will pay a permanent penalty on your premium for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is 10 percent for each full 12 months you went without Part B when you could have had it.

The process itself is straightforward: you tell Medicare you do not want Part B, or you ask to end it. But before you do, you need to understand when opting out makes sense and when it will cost you money you cannot get back.

Key Takeaways

You can decline Part B at 65 if you have other health coverage, but you must tell Medicare in writing or through your Social Security office.
If you drop Part B later, you can re-enroll during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31 each year), but your premium will include a permanent 10 percent penalty for each year you were without it.
The penalty applies only if you had no other creditable coverage — employer insurance, TRICARE, or VA benefits count as creditable coverage.
Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care; if you drop it, you will pay the full cost of these services out of pocket unless another plan covers them.
If you have Part A only and no Part B, you are still responsible for hospital deductibles and coinsurance.

Declining Part B when you first turn 65

When you become may be able to access for Medicare at 65, you have a seven-month window called your Initial Enrollment Period. It runs three months before the month you turn 65, through three months after. During this window, you can choose not to enroll in Part B without penalty — but only if you have other health coverage that Medicare considers creditable.

Creditable coverage means insurance that is at least as good as Medicare Part B. This includes employer health insurance (from your job or your spouse's job), TRICARE (military coverage), the Veterans Health Administration, or certain other group plans. If you have creditable coverage and want to decline Part B, you must notify Medicare in writing. You can do this by contacting your local Social Security office, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or submitting a written request to your Medicare office.

Keep a copy of whatever you send. You will need proof later that you declined Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, especially if you want to enroll without penalty when your creditable coverage ends.

Dropping Part B after you have already enrolled

If you enrolled in Part B and now want to stop it, you can end your coverage. You will need to submit a written request to Medicare. You can mail a letter to your local Social Security office, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your Social Security office in person. Tell them you want to terminate Part B coverage and include the date you want it to end.

Medicare will process your request and send you a confirmation letter. Your coverage will end on the last day of the month you request, or the month after, depending on when Medicare receives your request. Once Part B ends, you will not be billed for the premium, but you will also lose coverage for doctor visits, outpatient services, and other Part B benefits.

Understanding the permanent penalty if you re-enroll later

If you drop Part B (or never enrolled when you were first may be able to access) and you did not have creditable coverage during the time you were without it, you will face a late enrollment penalty. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full 12 months you went without coverage. This penalty is permanent — it stays on your premium for the rest of your life on Medicare.

For example, if you declined Part B at 65 and did not enroll again until age 68, that is three years without coverage. If you had no creditable coverage during those three years, your penalty would be 30 percent added to your Part B premium. If the standard premium is $164.90 per month (the 2024 amount), your premium would be about $214 per month, and you would pay that extra amount every month for life.

The only way to avoid this penalty is to have had creditable coverage during the entire time you were without Part B. You will need to prove it — usually with a letter from your former employer or insurance company stating the dates your coverage was in effect and that it was creditable.

When opting out makes sense

Declining Part B is a reasonable choice only if you have solid employer coverage or other creditable insurance that covers the same services Part B does. If you are still working and your employer offers health insurance, you can usually decline Part B without penalty. The same applies if you have TRICARE, VA benefits, or a spouse's employer plan that covers you.

Once that coverage ends — whether you retire, lose your job, or your spouse passes away — you should enroll in Part B right away. You have an eight-month Special Enrollment Period after your creditable coverage ends. If you enroll during this window, you will not face a late penalty, even if you were without Part B for months.

Do not assume your employer plan is creditable just because it is good insurance. Ask your employer's benefits office directly whether your plan is creditable under Medicare rules. Get the answer in writing if possible.

What happens to your other Medicare coverage if you drop Part B

Dropping Part B does not affect Part A (hospital insurance). You keep Part A coverage and its protections, but you will still owe the Part A deductible and coinsurance when you use hospital services. Part A alone does not cover doctor visits, lab work, imaging, or outpatient surgery — those are Part B services.

If you have a Medigap policy (supplemental insurance), dropping Part B may affect your coverage. Some Medigap plans require you to have Part B active. Check your policy or call your Medigap insurer before you drop Part B. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you cannot have Part B and Part C at the same time, so this situation does not explore.

How to request to drop Part B

Send a written request to your local Social Security office. Include your name, Medicare number, date of birth, and the date you want Part B to end. You can mail it, deliver it in person, or call 1-800-772-1213 to request a form. Social Security will send you a confirmation letter once your request is processed.

Keep your confirmation letter. If there is ever a question about when your Part B coverage ended, you will need proof. Also, if you want to re-enroll later, Medicare will use this letter to calculate whether you owe a late penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I decline Part B but keep Part A?

Yes. Part A and Part B are separate. You can keep Part A hospital coverage and decline Part B doctor coverage. You will still owe hospital deductibles and coinsurance, but you will not pay the Part B premium.

What if I drop Part B and then change my mind three months later?

You can re-enroll during the General Enrollment Period, which runs January 1 to March 31 each year. Your coverage will start July 1 of that year. If you had no creditable coverage during the months you were without Part B, you will owe a late penalty on your premium.

Does my spouse's employer insurance count as creditable coverage for me?

Yes, if you are covered under your spouse's plan. You will need a letter from the employer or insurance company stating that you are covered and that the plan is creditable under Medicare rules. Keep this letter in case you need to prove you had creditable coverage when you re-enroll.

If I drop Part B, do I lose my Medigap policy?

Not automatically, but some Medigap insurers require Part B to be active. Call your Medigap company before you drop Part B to find out whether your policy will stay in force. If it does not, you may not be able to re-enroll in the same plan later.

Can I drop Part B for just one year and then re-enroll without a penalty?

Only if you have creditable coverage during that year. If you go even one month without Part B and without creditable coverage, you will owe a 10 percent penalty when you re-enroll. The penalty applies for every full 12 months you were without coverage.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.