What Is the Process for Canceling Medicare Part B?

• Canceling Medicare Part B requires completing form CMS-1763 and submitting it to the Social Security Administration, including a written explanation for the cancellation and the return of your Medicare card.
• You might consider canceling Part B if you have other health insurance, such as coverage through an employer, or if you prefer a Medicare Advantage plan that offers additional benefits.
• Canceling Part B means your coverage will end at the end of the month following the month you file the request, and while you can reenroll during the open enrollment period, consider potential gaps in coverage and future healthcare costs before canceling.

Medicare Part B is outpatient medical insurance. It helps cover medically necessary services, including doctor’s visits, preventive care, and durable medical equipment.

Canceling your Part B coverage involves filling out a form and returning it to the Social Security Administration (SSA). You also need to return your Medicare card.

In this article, we explain the steps required to cancel Part B. We also explore the reasons why someone may wish to cancel their coverage and the risks of doing so.

To cancel your Part B coverage, you need to fill out Form CMS-1763, “Request for Termination of Premium Part A, Part B, or Part B Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage.”

When filling out the form, you will need to include your name, Medicare number, and an explanation of why you wish to end your coverage. You will also need to have two witnesses certify that they watched you fill out the form.

After you complete the form, you must mail or fax it to your local SSA office.

For more information about canceling Part B or to speak with a representative about the process, call the SSA at 800-772-1213 or visit a local office.

If you were automatically signed up for Medicare Part B, you can follow the instructions for canceling your plan found in your welcome packet.

In both cases, you will need to return your Medicare card. If you are keeping your Part A coverage, Medicare will send you a new card. Keeping your card makes you liable for the Part B premium.

If you are over 65 years old and still have health insurance through an employer, you may wish to drop Part B coverage.

Some people may drop Part B and opt for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan instead. Medicare Advantage plans often cover services that Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not, such as vision, dental, and hearing care.

Also, you may find the Part B premium to be too high.

Before dropping your Part B coverage, you may wish to consider the risks. These include:

• Higher out-of-pocket costs for healthcare: If you drop Medicare Part B, you may be required to cover the full cost of any outpatient medical services you receive.
• Penalties for late enrollment: Going without Part B means you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty when you ultimately do enroll in Part B. This penalty applies for the entire time you have Part B and increases the longer you go without it.
• Gaps in coverage: You can typically enroll in Medicare only during set enrollment periods. If you change your mind after dropping your coverage, you will need to wait until one of these enrollment periods to sign up for new coverage. This could lead to a coverage gap.

There is a lag between when you file your request to cancel coverage and when your coverage ends.

After submitting a request to have your coverage canceled, your plan will end at the end of the month that follows the month you filed the request. This means if you file your request on June 10, your coverage will end on July 31.

If you change your mind during this window, you can halt the cancellation of your plan by contacting the local SSA office.

If you have already dropped Part B coverage, you can reenroll during Medicare open enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7. To do so, visit the SSA website and complete the application.

If you have Medicare Part B, you may cancel it at any time. Dropping coverage involves completing a form and sending it — via mail or fax — to the SSA. You can also visit your local SSA office for more information and to speak with a representative about the process and risks.

Before canceling your Medicare Part B coverage, consider how it may affect your current and future healthcare costs.