You can cancel Part D at any time, but the timing and method depend on whether you're in your initial enrollment period, during the annual open enrollment window, or outside both.

If you're currently enrolled in a Part D plan and want to stop that coverage, you have three main routes: switch to a different Part D plan during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year), cancel outside that window if you have a may have access to life event, or drop Part D entirely if you have other creditable prescription drug coverage. The process itself is straightforward — a phone call or online request — but the timing matters because Medicare charges a penalty if you go without creditable coverage for more than 63 days in a row.

Before you cancel, understand what happens next. If you drop Part D without switching to another plan or proving you have coverage elsewhere (through an employer, union, or Veterans Affairs, for example), you'll owe a late enrollment penalty on top of your regular Part D premium if you rejoin later. That penalty is roughly 1% of the national average Part D premium for each month you were uninsured, and it stays with you for life.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel Part D during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) by calling your plan or Medicare directly, or you can switch to a different plan without a gap.
  • Outside open enrollment, you can cancel only if you have a may have access to life event — such as losing employer coverage, moving out of your plan's service area, or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
  • If you cancel Part D without other creditable drug coverage in place, you will owe a lifetime penalty of roughly 1% of the national average Part D premium per month of non-coverage.
  • To cancel, contact your current Part D plan directly by phone or through their website, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to request the cancellation.

Canceling During the Annual Open Enrollment Period

The easiest time to cancel Part D is during the annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this window, you can cancel your current plan, switch to a different Part D plan, or drop Part D coverage altogether without needing a reason. Any changes you make take effect on January 1 of the following year.

To cancel during open enrollment, contact your current Part D plan directly. Most plans have a customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Tell them you want to cancel your Part D coverage, and they will process the request. You can also call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to cancel your plan on your behalf. Have your Medicare number ready when you call.

If you're canceling because you want to switch to a different Part D plan instead of dropping coverage entirely, you don't need to cancel first — you can enroll in the new plan during open enrollment, and your old plan will end automatically on December 31. This approach avoids any gap in coverage.

Canceling Outside Open Enrollment With a may have access to Life Event

If you want to cancel Part D outside the October-to-December window, Medicare allows it only if you have a may have access to life event. These events include losing employer or union drug coverage, moving out of your plan's service area, being incarcerated, or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage (Part C with Part D).

Other may have access to events include becoming may be able to access for Medicaid, losing coverage through a family member's employer, or having your plan leave the Medicare program. If your plan is being discontinued in your area, Medicare will notify you and give you a window to switch or cancel without penalty.

To cancel based on a life event, call your Part D plan or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE within 60 days of the event. You will need to explain the event and may be asked to provide proof — such as a letter from your employer stating that coverage ended, or a notice from your plan saying it's leaving the program. Once Medicare confirms the event, your cancellation takes effect, usually within 1 to 7 business days.

What Happens When You Cancel Without Other Coverage

If you cancel Part D and do not have other creditable prescription drug coverage, you become responsible for paying the full cost of your prescriptions out of pocket. More importantly, you will owe a late enrollment penalty if you rejoin Part D later.

The penalty is calculated as roughly 1% of the national average Part D premium for each full month you did not have creditable coverage. The national average Part D premium changes each year — in 2024 it was around $34 per month, which means the penalty could be roughly $0.34 per month of non-coverage. However, this penalty is added to your regular Part D premium for as long as you have Part D, and it does not go away. If you go without coverage for 12 months, for example, you could owe roughly $4 extra per month permanently.

The only way to avoid this penalty is to have creditable coverage during the gap. Creditable coverage means prescription drug insurance that is at least as good as Part D. This includes coverage through an employer or union, Veterans Affairs, Medicaid, or certain retiree plans. If you have any of these, you can cancel Part D without penalty. When you eventually rejoin Part D, bring proof of your creditable coverage — usually a letter from your employer or plan stating the coverage dates and that it was creditable.

Canceling to Switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan With Drug Coverage

If you're enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) plus a separate Part D plan, and you want to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage, you do not need to cancel Part D first. Instead, you enroll in the Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment or during a may have access to event window, and your Part D coverage will end automatically on December 31 (or the effective date of your new plan).

Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are labeled "Part C with Part D" or "MA-PD". When you enroll in one, your Part D plan ends, and your drug coverage moves to the Medicare Advantage plan. You do not owe a late enrollment penalty because you are switching from one form of creditable coverage to another without a gap.

If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage and want to drop that plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare plus a separate Part D plan during open enrollment. Again, there is no penalty because you're moving from one creditable plan to another.

How to Request Cancellation

The fastest way to cancel is to call your Part D plan directly. The customer service number is on your insurance card, in your plan's welcome materials, or on the plan's website. Tell the representative you want to cancel your Part D coverage and provide your Medicare number. They will confirm your request and tell you when the cancellation takes effect.

You can also cancel online through your plan's website if they offer that option. Log in to your account, look for a "manage my plan" or "cancel coverage" section, and follow the prompts. Not all plans offer online cancellation, so if you don't see the option, call instead.

A third option is to call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Tell them you want to cancel your Part D plan, provide your Medicare number, and they will submit the request to your plan. This route takes slightly longer — usually 7 to 10 business days — but it works if you're having trouble reaching your plan or prefer to work with Medicare directly.

After you request cancellation, ask for a confirmation number and the effective date. Keep this information in case you need to follow up. You should receive a written confirmation in the mail within 1 to 2 weeks.

What to Do If You Change Your Mind

If you cancel Part D and then realize you need it back, you can rejoin during the next annual open enrollment period without a may have access to event. However, you will owe the late enrollment penalty if you were without creditable coverage for more than 63 days.

If you cancel during open enrollment and change your mind before January 1, you may be able to reenroll in your original plan or switch to a different one — but this depends on your plan and Medicare's rules. Call your plan or Medicare when ready to ask about your options. The sooner you act, the better your chances of reversing the cancellation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Part D if I'm on Original Medicare?

Yes. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) plus a separate Part D plan, you can cancel Part D during open enrollment or if you have a may have access to life event. If you cancel without other credible coverage, you will owe a late enrollment penalty if you rejoin later.

What if my Part D plan is leaving Medicare?

If your plan is discontinuing in your area, Medicare will send you a notice. You will have a window (usually several weeks) to switch to a different Part D plan or drop Part D entirely without penalty. You do not need to call — you can switch online or by phone during that window.

Do I owe a penalty if I switch from one Part D plan to another?

No. Switching from one Part D plan to another during open enrollment or due to a may have access to event does not trigger a penalty because you maintain creditable coverage the entire time. The penalty only applies if you go without any creditable drug coverage for more than 63 days.

Can I cancel Part D if I have an employer plan?

Yes, but only if your employer plan is creditable coverage. If it is, you can cancel Part D without penalty. When you leave your job or lose that coverage, you will have a window to rejoin Part D without penalty. Bring proof of your employer coverage to show Medicare it was creditable.

What happens to my prescriptions after I cancel?

After your Part D plan ends, you will pay the full cost of prescriptions at the pharmacy unless you have other coverage. Some pharmacies offer discount programs or generic alternatives that cost less. Talk to your pharmacist about lower-cost options before your coverage ends.