How to Cancel Medicare

You can cancel Medicare by contacting Social Security, Medicare, or your plan directly — the method depends on which type of coverage you have and why you are leaving. If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan, you contact that plan's customer service number, which is on your card. The process takes about 10 business days, though your coverage ends on the last day of the month you request cancellation, not when ready.

Most people cancel because they are turning 65 and want to switch plans, moving to employer coverage, or relocating to a state where their plan does not operate. Some cancel because they have coverage through a current employer and no longer need Medicare. The key is knowing which part of Medicare you are cancelling and having your Medicare number ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is cancelled through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, while Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans are cancelled directly with the plan using the number on your card.
  • Your coverage ends on the last day of the month you request cancellation, so timing your call matters if you are switching to another plan.
  • If you have employer coverage and want to drop Medicare, you must notify both Medicare and your employer's benefits office to avoid paying premiums for coverage you do not use.
  • Cancelling Part B may trigger a late enrollment penalty if you rejoin later without may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period, so confirm your new coverage is active before you cancel.
  • Keep a record of your cancellation request, including the date, time, and name of the person who processed it, in case billing issues arise later.

Cancelling Original Medicare (Parts A and B)

To cancel Part A or Part B, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and tell them you want to cancel your Medicare coverage. Have your Medicare number ready — it is on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. Social Security will ask why you are cancelling and whether you have other coverage. Be honest about this, because it affects whether you will face a penalty if you rejoin later.

Your cancellation takes effect on the last day of the month following your request. If you call on March 15, your coverage ends April 30. This matters because you need to make sure your new coverage starts before your Medicare ends, or you will have a gap. Ask Social Security what date they are recording as your cancellation date before you hang up.

If you are cancelling because you have employer coverage, also contact your employer's benefits office and tell them you are dropping Medicare. Some employers require written notice. Keep a copy of any confirmation they send you, because it proves you had other coverage if Medicare later tries to charge you a premium for a month you were not covered.

Cancelling a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan

Call the plan's customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Tell them you want to cancel your coverage and ask what date the cancellation takes effect. Most plans end coverage on the last day of the month you request, but some have different rules, so confirm before you hang up.

If you are switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan or to Original Medicare, the new coverage must start before the old one ends. If there is a gap, you lose coverage and may face a penalty when you rejoin. Ask the plan you are leaving when your coverage officially ends, then confirm with your new plan that coverage starts the day after.

Some people cancel a Medicare Advantage plan to switch back to Original Medicare. You can do this during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) without penalty. If you are outside that window, you may only switch if you have a may have access to life event — moving out of the plan's service area, losing employer coverage, or a change in family status. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether your situation qualifies.

What Happens After You Cancel

Once your cancellation is processed, you will stop receiving bills from Medicare or your plan. If you had automatic payments set up, they will stop. Check your bank account for the next two billing cycles to make sure no charges appear after your coverage ends.

If you cancelled Part B and rejoin later outside of the Annual Enrollment Period without a may have access to reason, you will pay a permanent penalty — an extra 10 percent of your Part B premium for each year you were not enrolled. This penalty stays with you for life, so do not cancel Part B unless you are certain you will not need it, or unless you have employer coverage that will continue.

Keep any cancellation confirmation letter or email you receive. If Medicare or your plan continues to bill you after your coverage ends, you will need proof of when you cancelled. Request a written confirmation if you only received a verbal confirmation over the phone.

Cancelling When You Move Out of State

If you move to a state where your Medicare Advantage plan does not operate, the plan will automatically end your coverage on the last day of the month you move. You do not have to call to cancel — the plan will notify you. However, you must enroll in a new plan before your current one ends, or you will lose coverage.

Contact your new state's Medicare office or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out which plans operate in your new location. You have 60 days from the date you move to enroll in a new plan without penalty. If you wait longer, you may owe a late enrollment penalty when you rejoin.

Cancelling When You Have Employer Coverage

If you are still working and have health coverage through your employer, you can cancel Medicare Part B (but usually not Part A). Tell your employer's benefits office that you are dropping Medicare, and ask them to provide written confirmation that you have employer coverage. This protects you from penalties later.

When you leave your job or lose employer coverage, you have 63 days to rejoin Medicare Part B without a penalty. This is called a Special Enrollment Period. Contact Social Security or Medicare within that window to restart your coverage. If you wait longer, you will owe a penalty.

Do not cancel Part A if you are still working. Part A is hospital insurance and does not have a monthly premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. Keeping Part A costs you nothing and protects you if you need hospitalization.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cancelling

The biggest mistake is cancelling Part B without confirming that your new coverage is active. If there is even a one-day gap, you lose coverage and may face a penalty. Always get a start date in writing from your new plan before you cancel the old one.

Another mistake is cancelling without understanding the penalty. If you cancel Part B and rejoin later without a may have access to reason, you will pay 10 percent extra on your premium for the rest of your life. If you are unsure whether you will need Medicare again, call Social Security and ask about your options before you cancel.

Do not assume your cancellation is complete just because you called. Follow up in writing if you can — send an email to the plan or Social Security confirming the date and time you called and what you requested. This creates a paper trail if billing problems arise later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Medicare and rejoin later without a penalty?

You can rejoin Part A without penalty at any time. Part B has a penalty if you rejoin more than 63 days after you cancel, unless you have a may have access to reason like employer coverage or moving out of a plan's service area. Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans can be rejoined during the Annual Enrollment Period without penalty.

What if I cancel by mistake?

Call Social Security or your plan when ready and ask to reinstate your coverage. If you catch it within a few days, they can usually reverse the cancellation. If more time has passed, you may have to wait until the next enrollment period to rejoin, so act fast if you made a mistake.

Do I have to cancel Part A if I cancel Part B?

No. You can cancel Part B and keep Part A. Part A has no monthly premium if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes, so there is no reason to cancel it. You can only cancel Part A if you have other hospital coverage, like through an employer or a different program.

Will I get a refund if I cancel in the middle of the month?

No. Medicare charges by the month, and your coverage ends on the last day of the month you request cancellation. You do not get a refund for the partial month. If you cancel on March 1, you still pay for all of March and coverage ends March 31.

What if my plan cancels me instead of the other way around?

Plans can end your coverage if you move out of their service area, if you are not paying your premium, or in rare cases if you violate the plan's rules. If your plan cancels you, they must give you written notice at least 30 days in advance. You then have 60 days to enroll in a new plan without penalty.