To cancel Medicare Part B, you need to submit a form to Social Security and return your Medicare card.

Medicare Part B typically covers outpatient care, which is treatment received in a doctor’s office or clinic instead of a hospital.

This includes medically necessary services for treating a medical condition and preventive care like screenings and certain vaccines. When discussing Medicare coverage, parts A and B are often referred to as Original Medicare.

That said, there are times when you might decide to cancel Part B while remaining enrolled in Part A. Read on to learn about the cancellation process and what to consider before deciding whether canceling is right for you.

You’ll simply need to mail or fax a signed Form CMS-1763 (a request for termination of premium hospital insurance or supplementary medical insurance) to Social Security.

If you’ve received a welcome packet from Medicare stating that you’re automatically enrolled in both Part A and Part B, follow the instructions included there to cancel Part B.

Remember to also return your Medicare card with your request, or you may still be liable for the Part B premium. If you’re dropping Part B but keeping Part A, Medicare will send you a new card indicating that you have Part A coverage only.

It’s best to write down or otherwise keep track of your Medicare number in case you need hospitalization or Part A-covered services before you get your new card.

Some costs and services aren’t covered by Medicare Part B, such as those already covered by Medicare Part A. Additionally, services provided by a doctor who has opted out of Medicare won’t be covered.

Other services not covered by Part B include:

  • most dental care
  • dentures
  • annual eye exams for prescription lenses
  • hearing aids and related exams
  • long-term care in a nursing home
  • concierge care
  • cosmetic surgery
  • massage therapy

If you need prescription drugs, those are covered under Part D.

In addition, if you are over 65 years old and still working, you may still be insured by your employer’s plan, in which case it may make sense to drop Part B.

Medicare Part B has clear and predictable costs. The premium for 2024 is $174.70 a month. Once you reach your $240 deductible, Medicare will pay for 80% of the costs of your medical services, and you’ll be responsible for the remaining 20%.

By comparison, because Medicaid is a state program, the costs can vary depending on where you live. This is also true for private insurance plans, as well as Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which are often administered by private companies. If your costs with these other options are substantially higher, you may wish to remain enrolled in Part B.

Also, if you choose to cancel Part B, you may have a gap in your health insurance coverage. If you choose to reenroll, you’ll have to wait until the annual enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. If you reenroll outside of these periods, you may be subject to a penalty.

If you’ve canceled Medicare Part B, you can change your mind before the end date of your enrollment by notifying your local Social Security office.

If you’re reenrolling after this date and you don’t have Part A, you’ll have to complete a new online application with Social Security.

If you’re still enrolled in Part A, you may need to print out the application and fax or mail it to Social Security.

Learn more about reinstating Medicare Part B.

Can you cancel Medicare Part B at any time?

You can cancel Part B at any time. Once your cancellation request is processed, your coverage will end at the end of the following month.

Can you opt out of Medicare Part B without penalty?

There’s no penalty for canceling Medicare Part B. However, there may be a penalty if you decide to reenroll after your coverage ends.

Can you submit form CMS-1763 online?

No. You have to submit Form CMS-1763 by mail or fax.

How much is deducted from Social Security for Medicare Part B?

In most cases, you don’t receive a premium bill from Medicare Part B because this is automatically deducted from your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefit payment. For 2024, the monthly premium is $174.70.

Under Medicare Part B, you can receive treatment in a doctor’s office or clinic rather than a hospital. This includes necessary medical services and preventive care such as screenings and certain vaccines.

Parts A and B are often known as Original Medicare. In certain situations, you may decide to end your enrollment in Part B but still keep Part A coverage. To cancel Part B, simply fill out a form for Social Security and send back your Medicare card.

That said, make sure you have alternative coverage in place, or you may have to pay out-of-pocket for needed medical care.