You generally can't avoid Medicare Part B if you don't have other creditable coverage, but you can delay paying the premium (and avoid penalties) if you or your spouse have a large employer's group health plan (20+ employees) past 65, or get help paying through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) for low-income individuals, or potentially have an employer plan cover it via a QSEHRA/ICHRA. Otherwise, you must enroll or face lifelong penalties, so explore MSPs or employer options if you can't afford it.
You can avoid paying Medicare Part B premiums by delaying enrollment if you have creditable employer coverage (your own or spouse's job with 20+ employees) until that coverage ends (within 8 months to avoid penalties), or by qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to have state/federal funds pay for it due to low income. Other ways to save include using HSA funds, appealing high Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for life changes, or enrolling on time during your Initial Enrollment Period.
If you don't qualify to delay Part B, you'll need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid paying the penalty. You may refuse Part B without penalty if you have creditable coverage, but you have to do it before your coverage start date.
To drop Part B (or Part A if you have to pay a premium for it), you usually need to send your request in writing and include your signature. Contact Social Security.
If you want to drop your Part B coverage while you are out of the country, you must notify the Social Security Administration. Your Part B benefits — and premiums — will continue for one more month after the month you notify Social Security that you wish to cancel.
If you can't afford Medicare costs, you can get help through Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which pay premiums/costs, and Extra Help, for prescription drugs (Part D), both for those with limited income/resources, plus programs like Medicaid (for low-income) and potentially PACE, or by checking with your state for State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs). Contact your State Medicaid office or SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) to see what you qualify for, as eligibility rules vary by state.
Medicare Part B helps cover medical services like doctors' services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn't cover. Part B is optional.
If you've been covered by an active employer group health plan (either yours or your spouse's) since turning 65, and it ended within the last 8 months, you can enroll in Part B without any penalty. This is considered a “Special Enrollment Period.”
How do I disenroll from Medicare Part B? You can't withdraw online. If you decide to drop Part B, you'll need to submit Form CMS-1763 to the Social Security Administration, which administers the Medicare program. You can submit the form in person at your local Social Security office or call SSA at 800-772-1213.
No one is automatically exempt from Medicare Part B premiums, but many people avoid paying them by having other creditable coverage (like employer plans when still working), qualifying for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through Medicaid due to low income, or having certain disabilities that qualify them for premium assistance. Those automatically enrolled in Medicare who don't need Part B right away (e.g., due to employer coverage) can delay enrollment without penalty.
If you have a higher income, you'll pay an additional premium amount for Medicare Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. We call the additional amount the “income-related monthly adjustment amount.” Here's how it works: Part B helps pay for your doctors' services and outpatient care.
Yes, almost everyone pays a monthly premium for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), though the amount varies based on income, with higher earners paying more, and some people may pay a penalty for late enrollment if they don't sign up when first eligible. While Part A (Hospital Insurance) is often premium-free for those who paid Social Security taxes, Part B is a separate, voluntary program where premiums are required to get coverage for doctor visits and outpatient care, often deducted from Social Security checks.
To cancel Medicare Part B, you must submit a written request using Form CMS-1763 (Request for Termination of Premium Part A, Part B), either by mailing or faxing it to your local Social Security office, or by contacting them directly to arrange an appointment, with coverage ending the month after you file. It's crucial to consider potential late enrollment penalties and coverage gaps if you don't have other creditable coverage, as re-enrolling later could be costly.
If you stop Part B, you may have to re-enroll and may have to pay a penalty when you do. If you stop your Medicare Part B and you have a Medi-Cal SOC, you cannot get Medi-Cal covered services until you pay or promise to pay your monthly SOC.
Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:
You can avoid paying Medicare Part B premiums by delaying enrollment if you have creditable employer coverage (your own or spouse's job with 20+ employees) until that coverage ends (within 8 months to avoid penalties), or by qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to have state/federal funds pay for it due to low income. Other ways to save include using HSA funds, appealing high Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for life changes, or enrolling on time during your Initial Enrollment Period.
If you and/or your dependent are over age 65, retired, and eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A and premium-based Medicare Part B, CalPERS requires you to enroll in both Part A and Part B and then transfer into a CalPERS Medicare health benefits plan to continue CalPERS health coverage.
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B in 2026 is $202.90, an increase from the 2025 premium, though some people pay less due to the "hold harmless" rule, while higher-income earners pay more through an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). This premium covers medical insurance, with the exact amount depending on your income and when you enroll.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB)
This program helps to pay Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and copayments. It also helps to pay deductibles and coinsurance for both Part A and Part B. A single person can qualify for the program in 2025 with an income up to $1,325 per month.
All U.S. employees and self-employed people must pay Medicare taxes until they retire. If you are unemployed and don't have any form of income apart from unemployment benefits, you may not have to pay Medicare taxes. Some people may be exempt from paying Medicare tax before retirement.