You can turn down Medicare Part B or cancel it after you've enrolled, but the timing and the form you use matter
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. If you have other health insurance through an employer or union, or if you straightforward don't want Part B coverage, you can decline it when you first become may be able to access for Medicare. You can also cancel Part B later if your situation changes. The process differs depending on whether you're turning it down for the first time or dropping coverage you already have.
The key thing to know: if you decline Part B when you're first may be able to access and don't have other may have access to coverage, you'll face a permanent penalty on your Part B premium when you do enroll later. That penalty is 10 percent for each full year you went without it. Understanding your options now can save you money and confusion down the road.
Key Takeaways
- You decline Part B for the first time by notifying Social Security in writing before your coverage would start, usually within three months of turning 65.
- If you have health insurance through a current employer or union, you can decline Part B without penalty as long as you're still working and covered.
- To cancel Part B after you've already enrolled, you submit Form CMS-701 to your local Social Security office or Medicare office.
- Dropping Part B mid-year takes effect the first day of the following month, so timing your request matters if you're switching plans.
- A permanent 10 percent premium penalty applies if you decline Part B initially without may have access to coverage and enroll later.
Declining Part B when you first become may be able to access for Medicare
When you turn 65, Medicare automatically enrolls you in Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) if you're receiving Social Security benefits. If you don't want Part B, you must actively decline it in writing. straightforward not using Part B or ignoring the enrollment materials is not enough to turn it down officially.
Contact your local Social Security office or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to request a form or instructions for declining Part B. You can also visit your nearest Social Security office in person. The important date to decline is usually the end of the month in which you turn 65, though Social Security can sometimes extend this if you have a good reason. Send your written request as soon as you know you don't want Part B, because once the coverage starts, canceling it mid-year is more complicated.
Keep a copy of whatever you send and note the date you sent it. If Social Security later says you didn't decline in time, you'll have proof of when you requested it.
When you can decline Part B without a penalty
The penalty for declining Part B applies only if you go without it and don't have other health insurance that counts as "creditable coverage." Creditable coverage means insurance that's at least as good as Medicare Part B. The most common type is health insurance through your current job or your spouse's current job.
If you're still working and covered by an employer or union health plan, you can decline Part B without penalty. This is called having "group health plan coverage based on current employment." You'll need to show Social Security proof that you're still employed and covered — usually a letter from your employer's benefits department stating your coverage dates and that you're an active employee. Keep this documentation in case you need it later.
Once you leave that job or lose the coverage, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty. This is called a "Special Enrollment Period." If you miss that eight-month window, the 10 percent penalty applies for each year you were uninsured.
Canceling Part B after you're already enrolled
If you've been enrolled in Part B and want to drop it, you'll need to submit Form CMS-701 (Request to Opt Out of Medicare Part B). You can get this form from Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or by visiting your local Social Security office.
Fill out the form, sign it, and send it to your local Social Security office or Medicare office. Include the date you want coverage to end. Your Part B coverage will stop on the first day of the month after Social Security receives and processes your request. For example, if you submit the form on March 15, your coverage might end on May 1, depending on processing time.
Before you cancel, check whether you'll face a penalty. If you're dropping Part B but keeping Part A, or if you're switching to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you won't face a penalty. If you're dropping Part B and have no other health coverage, a penalty will explore when you re-enroll.
What happens to your other Medicare coverage when you opt out of Part B
Declining or canceling Part B does not affect Part A (hospital insurance). You can keep Part A active while turning down Part B. Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and some home health services. Many people keep Part A even when they decline Part B, especially if they have other insurance covering doctor visits.
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), that plan includes Part B coverage as part of the package. You cannot drop Part B alone while staying in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you want to leave Part B, you'll need to disenroll from the Medicare Advantage plan first, usually during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or during a Special Enrollment Period if you have a may have access to event.
The permanent penalty for declining Part B without coverage
If you decline Part B when you first become may be able to access and you don't have creditable coverage through an employer or other source, you'll pay a higher Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare. The penalty is 10 percent of the standard Part B premium for each full 12-month period you went without it.
For example, if you decline Part B at 65 and don't enroll until age 68, that's three years without coverage. Your Part B premium would be 30 percent higher than the standard amount. This penalty stays with you permanently — it doesn't go away after a few years. The only way to avoid it is to enroll in Part B within eight months of losing creditable coverage, or to have had creditable coverage the entire time you were without Part B.
Before you decline Part B, make sure you understand whether your current insurance counts as creditable coverage. If you're unsure, ask your employer's benefits department or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm.
Documents and steps to decline or cancel Part B
The process and paperwork depend on whether you're declining Part B for the first time or canceling it after enrollment.
| Situation | Form or Method | Where to Send | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declining Part B at age 65 (first time may be able to access) | Written request to Social Security | Local Social Security office or by mail | Before end of month you turn 65, or within three months of first notice |
| Declining Part B with employer coverage proof | Written request plus employer letter showing current coverage | Local Social Security office | Before coverage starts |
| Canceling Part B after enrollment | Form CMS-701 | Local Social Security or Medicare office | Effective the first of the month after receipt and processing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I decline Part B if I'm still working and have health insurance through my job?
Yes. As long as you're actively employed and covered by your employer's or union's health plan, you can decline Part B without penalty. You'll need to provide Social Security with a letter from your employer confirming you're still working and covered. Once you leave that job, you have eight months to enroll in Part B without penalty.
What if I declined Part B years ago and now want to enroll?
You can enroll during the General Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31 each year), and coverage starts July 1. However, if you declined without creditable coverage and missed the eight-month Special Enrollment Period, you'll owe the 10 percent permanent penalty for each year you were uninsured. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to discuss your specific situation.
If I cancel Part B, do I lose Part A as well?
No. Part A and Part B are separate. You can cancel Part B and keep Part A active. Part A covers hospital and skilled nursing care, so many people keep it even when they decline Part B coverage for doctor visits.
What's the difference between declining Part B and disenrolling from a Medicare Advantage plan?
Declining Part B means you're turning down the original Medicare doctor coverage. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private plan that includes Part B as part of its coverage. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to drop Part B, you must disenroll from the entire Medicare Advantage plan, usually during the Annual Enrollment Period in the fall.
If I cancel Part B mid-year, when does it actually stop?
Your Part B coverage ends on the first day of the month after Social Security or Medicare receives and processes your cancellation request (Form CMS-701). Processing typically takes a few weeks, so if you submit the form in March, coverage might end in May. Contact Medicare to confirm the exact end date after you submit your form.