You can cancel Medicare online through your My Medicare account, but the process depends on which type of coverage you have and when you want the cancellation to take effect

Medicare lets you cancel Part B (medical insurance), Part D (prescription drug coverage), and Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans through your online account or by phone. The fastest route is logging into My Medicare at Medicare.gov, though some cancellations require a phone call to complete. Timing matters: cancellations take effect on the first or 15th of the month depending on when you submit them, and missing a important date can leave you covered longer than you intended.

Before you cancel, understand what coverage you are losing and whether you have another plan lined up. Cancelling Part B without a replacement can trigger a lifetime penalty if you rejoin later. Cancelling Part D or a Medigap plan outside the annual enrollment period may prevent you from switching back without waiting. This guide walks you through the actual steps for each type of coverage and what to watch for.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel Part B, Part D, and Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans through My Medicare online, though some require a follow-up phone call to Medicare.
  • Cancellations take effect on the first or 15th of the month, depending on the date you submit — submitting after the 15th usually means the change takes effect the following month.
  • Cancelling Part B without another plan in place can result in a permanent 10% increase to your premium if you rejoin later.
  • Cancelling Part D or a Medigap plan outside the annual enrollment period may lock you out of switching plans until the next open enrollment window.
  • If you are turning 65 or losing employer coverage, contact Medicare before cancelling to understand whether you have a special enrollment period.

Cancelling Part B through My Medicare

To cancel Part B (medical insurance) online, log into your My Medicare account at Medicare.gov using your username and password. Once logged in, go to the "Payments" section and look for the option to manage your coverage. Select Part B and choose "End coverage." You will be asked to confirm the date you want the cancellation to take effect — choose the first or 15th of a month. Submit the request.

After you submit online, Medicare will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within two weeks. However, Part B cancellations sometimes require a phone call to finalize. If My Medicare does not show a confirmation that your request went through, or if you receive a letter asking you to call, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Have your Medicare number ready. The representative will ask why you are cancelling and may discuss whether you have other coverage in place.

Do not assume the cancellation is complete until you receive written confirmation from Medicare. Some people submit the online request but do not follow up when Medicare sends a letter asking for more information, and their cancellation never goes through. Check your mail for the confirmation letter and keep it with your records.

Cancelling Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) Online

Part D cancellations work differently depending on whether you have it through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have standalone Part D coverage, log into My Medicare, go to "Prescriptions," and select your Part D plan. Choose the option to end coverage and pick your effective date. Submit the request and wait for a confirmation letter.

If your Part D coverage is bundled into a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot cancel just the drug portion — you have to cancel the entire plan. This is covered in the Medicare Advantage section below. If you are trying to switch from one Part D plan to another, you do not need to cancel the old one first; the new plan will automatically replace it on your chosen effective date.

Cancelling Part D outside the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) means you cannot switch to a different Part D plan until next year's enrollment window opens. If you are cancelling because your current plan no longer covers your medications, contact Medicare to ask whether you may have access to for a special enrollment period that would let you switch sooner.

Cancelling a Medicare Advantage Plan Online

Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are cancelled through the insurance company that runs the plan, not directly through Medicare. Log into your plan's website using your member ID and password. Look for a section called "Manage My Plan," "Account Settings," or "Coverage Options." Select the option to cancel or disenroll from the plan and choose your effective date.

If you cannot find the cancellation option online, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Tell them you want to disenroll from the plan. They will ask when you want the cancellation to take effect and may ask why you are leaving. You do not have to answer the "why" question, but some plans use the feedback to improve. Request written confirmation of your cancellation date and keep it.

Cancelling a Medicare Advantage plan outside the annual enrollment period is permanent until the next October. If you cancel and then change your mind in November, you cannot rejoin the same plan until the following year. The exception is if you are moving out of the plan's service area or losing other coverage — these situations may may have access to you for a special enrollment period.

Cancelling a Medigap Plan Online

Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies, not by Medicare, so you cancel directly with your insurance company. Log into your Medigap insurer's website using your policy number and password. Look for "Manage My Policy" or "Account Settings" and select the option to cancel. Choose your cancellation date and submit.

If your insurer does not offer online cancellation, call the customer service number on your Medigap card. Provide your policy number and tell them you want to cancel. Ask them to send written confirmation of the cancellation date. Keep this confirmation with your records.

Cancelling Medigap outside the open enrollment period means you may not be able to switch to a different Medigap plan without answering health questions or being denied coverage. If you are cancelling because you are switching to a Medicare Advantage plan, you do not need to worry about this — Medicare Advantage and Medigap cannot be held at the same time, so the cancellation is expected. If you are cancelling for any other reason, ask your state's insurance commissioner's office whether you have a right to switch plans without underwriting.

What Happens After You Cancel

Once your cancellation takes effect, you will no longer have that coverage. If you cancelled Part B and do not have another plan, you will be responsible for the full cost of doctor visits, hospital stays, and other medical services. If you cancelled Part D and do not have another prescription drug plan, you will pay the full price for medications at the pharmacy.

If you cancelled a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan and want to rejoin a plan, you will have to wait until the next annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) unless you may have access to for a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods are available if you move, lose coverage, or experience certain life changes. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to ask whether you may have access to.

Keep all cancellation confirmation letters from Medicare and your insurance companies. If there is a billing dispute or if you are charged for coverage after your cancellation date, you will need proof that you cancelled. File these letters in a folder labeled with the year and the type of coverage.

When You Cannot Cancel Online

Some situations require a phone call instead of an online cancellation. If you are cancelling because you are moving out of the United States, you must call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. If you are cancelling because you now have coverage through your employer or a family member's employer, Medicare may ask you to provide proof of that coverage before processing the cancellation. If you are under 65 and have Medicare because of a disability or end-stage renal disease, cancellation rules are different — call Medicare to discuss your situation.

If you try to cancel online and the system will not let you proceed, or if you receive an error message, do not assume the cancellation failed. Wait 24 hours and try again, or call Medicare directly. Sometimes the website is temporarily unavailable or your account needs to be updated before you can make changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I cancel Part B and then want it back?

You can rejoin Part B during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31 each year), but your premium will be 10% higher for each year you were without coverage. This penalty is permanent. If you cancelled because you have employer coverage, ask Medicare whether you may have access to for a special enrollment period that would let you rejoin without the penalty.

Can I cancel just one part of my Medicare Advantage plan?

No. Medicare Advantage plans bundle Part A, Part B, and Part D together. If you want to cancel any part of it, you have to cancel the entire plan. Once you cancel, you can switch to Original Medicare and buy a separate Part D plan and Medigap policy if you want.

What if I cancel my Medigap plan and then want to switch to a different one?

If you cancel outside the open enrollment period, the new Medigap company can deny you or charge you more based on your health history. Some states have rules that protect you in this situation — contact your state's insurance commissioner's office to ask. If you are switching because your current plan is no longer available, you may have a may provide right to switch.

How long does it take for a cancellation to go through?

Cancellations submitted online usually take effect on the first or 15th of the following month. If you submit a request on the 16th of any month, the cancellation typically takes effect on the 15th of the next month. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail within two weeks of submitting your request.

Do I need to cancel my old plan before switching to a new one?

No. When you enroll in a new plan, the old plan automatically cancels on the date the new plan takes effect. You do not need to submit a separate cancellation request. However, make sure you know the exact date your new plan starts so you are not without coverage in between.