Can I apply for Medicare Part B only?
Yes, you can sign up for Medicare Part B Only if you already have Medicare Part A or if you delayed Part B when you first became eligible.
How to Sign Up for Part B Only
- Online: Log into your personal account at the Social Security Administration website, especially if you are enrolling during a Special Enrollment Period after leaving an employer group health plan.
- By Mail or Fax: Complete Form CMS-40B (Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B). If signing up during a Special Enrollment Period due to employment, you also need Form CMS-L564 signed by your employer.
- By Phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) Monday through Friday.
- In Person: Visit your local Social Security Office.
When You Can Enroll
- Initial Enrollment Period: The 7-month window around your 65th birthday.
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Anytime while you or your spouse are working and covered by an active employer group health plan, or within 8 months of that employer coverage ending.
- General Enrollment Period: From January 1 through March 31 each year, though late enrollment penalties may apply if you do not qualify for an SEP.
How to get Medicare Part B if you only have part A?
You can add Medicare Part B if you already have Part A by submitting an application through the Social Security Administration Part B Only Page.
Enrollment Options
- Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Apply online anytime if you or your spouse are working and have active employer group health coverage, or if that coverage ended within the last 8 months.
- General Enrollment Period (GEP): Sign up between January 1 and March 31 each year if you do not qualify for an SEP. Note that a late penalty may apply if you missed your initial window.
Required Forms and Steps
- Online Application: Log into your my Social Security account to complete the digital application form.
- Form CMS-40B: This is the standard Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B.
- Form CMS-L564: If you are signing up using an SEP after leaving employer coverage, you and your employer must fill out this Request for Employment Information form to prove continuous coverage.
- Alternative Submission: You can print, complete, and mail or fax your CMS-40B form and CMS-L564 form to your local Social Security office.
Why would someone only get Medicare Part B?
Someone would typically only have Medicare Part B if they already have another primary health coverage source that handles hospital stays (like certain government or retiree plans), but they are required or choose to enroll in Part B for outpatient and doctor care.
Note: People rarely have only Part B while turning down Part A if Part A is premium-free. However, having only Part B (or just Parts A and B without supplemental insurance) is generally discouraged because it leaves major coverage gaps and financial risks.
Common Reasons for Having Only Part B (or Managing Parts Separately)
- Other Primary Coverage (like the VA or Federal Benefits): Some military veterans or retired federal employees choose to rely on the Department of Veterans Affairs or federal retiree health plans for hospital and general care, but sign up for Part B to give themselves wider access to non-VA civilian doctors and outpatient facilities.
- Working Past Age 65 with Specific Insurance: If an individual has health coverage from a very small employer (20 or fewer employees), that employer plan may require Medicare Part B to be the primary or secondary payer, forcing an enrollment choice.
- Ineligible for Premium-Free Part A: If a person (or their spouse) did not work long enough (at least 10 years) to earn enough Social Security work credits, premium-free Part A is unavailable. Buying Part A out-of-pocket can be very expensive, leading some to evaluate their options, though rules tightly govern how and when people can sign up for parts independently.
- Misunderstanding of Original Medicare: Some beneficiaries mistakenly believe that doctor-focused Part B is all they need, not realizing that lacking Part A, Part D (prescription drugs), or a supplemental Medigap/Advantage plan leaves them exposed to high medical bills and no out-of-pocket maximum limit.
What is the income limit for part B Medicare?
There is no hard income cutoff to qualify for Medicare Part B, but earning more than $109,000 as an individual or $218,000 as a joint filer in 2026 triggers higher monthly premiums.
How Income Affects Part B Costs
- Standard Premium: If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is at or below $109,000 for single filers or $218,000 for joint filers, you pay the standard 2026 monthly Part B premium of $202.90.
- IRMAA Surcharges: Earners above those thresholds pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which adds an extra charge ranging from $81.20 to $487.00 per month on top of the standard premium.
- Tax Year Used: Your 2026 costs are based on the tax return you filed two years prior (your 2024 tax return).
2026 Part B Income Brackets & Premiums
- $109,000 or less (Individual) / $218,000 or less (Joint): Standard premium of $202.90
- $109,001 – $137,000 (Individual) / $218,001 – $274,000 (Joint): Total monthly premium of $284.10
- $137,001 – $171,000 (Individual) / $274,001 – $342,000 (Joint): Total monthly premium of $405.80
- $171,001 – $205,000 (Individual) / $342,001 – $410,000 (Joint): Total monthly premium of $527.50
- $205,001 – $499,999 (Individual) / $410,001 – $749,999 (Joint): Total monthly premium of $649.20
- $500,000+ (Individual) / $750,000+ (Joint): Total monthly premium of $689.90
What happens if I never enroll in Medicare Part B?
If you never enroll in Medicare Part B and do not have qualifying health coverage from an active job, you will never receive Part B medical insurance benefits and you will face permanent late-enrollment penalties if you ever decide to sign up later.
What Happens Without Part B
- No Outpatient Coverage: You will have no Medicare coverage for doctor visits, outpatient care, medical supplies, or preventive services.
- Lifelong Penalties: If you delay enrollment without other creditable coverage (like a current employer plan), your monthly premium increases by 10% for each full 12-month period you waited. You pay this extra cost for as long as you have Part B.
- Limited Sign-Up Windows: You can usually only sign up during the General Enrollment Period running from January 1 to March 31 each year, which can cause gaps in your medical coverage.
Exceptions
- Active Employer Plan: You can delay Part B penalty-free if you or your spouse are actively working and covered by a group health plan from an employer with 20 or more employees.
- Special Enrollment Period: You get an 8-month window to sign up without a penalty after that active employment or insurance ends.
Your Step By Step Guide on How To Easily Sign Up for Medicare Part B Online
9 related questions found
Can I buy Medicare Part B only?
You can sign up for Medicare Part B by visiting the Social Security Administration Part B Only Page if you already have Part A or if you do not qualify for premium-free Part A.
How Part B Only Enrollment Works
- Already have Part A: If you already have Medicare Part A and previously declined or delayed Part B, you can enroll in Part B by itself.
- No premium-free Part A: If you lack the work history required for premium-free Part A and choose not to buy it, you are allowed to enroll in Part B alone as long as you are age 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five continuous years.
- Application process: You can complete the application online through the Social Security Administration during your initial enrollment, general enrollment, or a qualifying Special Enrollment Period.
Why do people opt out of Medicare Part B?
People opt out or delay enrollment in Medicare Part B primarily to avoid monthly premium costs when they already have active, qualifying health insurance from an employer.
Main Reasons for Opting Out
- Active Employer Coverage: Individuals (or their spouses) who continue working past age 65 often keep their employer-sponsored health plan if the company has 20 or more employees. If this coverage is considered "creditable," they can delay Part B without facing late penalties.
- High Premium Costs and IRMAA: High-income earners pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which significantly increases their standard Part B monthly premium. Some retirees opt out or evaluate alternative private plans if the extra cost outweighs the perceived value.
- Alternative Government Plans: Some federal retirees with robust coverage through programs like the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program choose to delay Part B to preserve their immediate cash flow.
Risks of Opting Out
- Permanent Late Penalties: Dropping or delaying Part B without valid, active employer coverage results in a permanent 10% late enrollment penalty for every 12 months you go without coverage.
- Loss of Supplemental Options: Without Part B, you cannot enroll in Medigap (Medicare Supplement) or standard Medicare Advantage plans.
Who does not have to pay Medicare Part B premiums?
Almost everyone who enrolls in Medicare Part B must pay a monthly premium, as there is no automatic "free" Part B option based on work history. However, you do not have to pay these costs out of pocket if you qualify for specific financial assistance programs or insurance plan benefits.
As noted by CBS News, most seniors cannot completely avoid these premiums unless they qualify for specific relief programs.
Low-Income Assistance Programs
- Medicaid: If your income and assets are very low, your state’s Medicaid program may pay your monthly Part B premium for you.
- Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs): State programs like the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program help pay Part B premiums, and sometimes deductibles and co-pays, for qualifying low-income individuals.
Insurance and Employer Benefits
- Medicare Advantage "Giveback" Plans: Some private Medicare Advantage plans offer a Part B premium reduction benefit (known as a "giveback") that covers part or all of your monthly Part B premium.
- Employer or Union Coverage: If you or your spouse are still working, or have retiree/union benefits, your employer or union may fully reimburse you for your Part B premium cost.
Do federal retirees really need Medicare Part B?
For most civilian federal retirees with Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Medicare Part B is optional, not legally required, but postal service retirees under PSHB rules generally face mandatory enrollment.
📊 Comparing Your Options
| Feature | ❌ Skipping Part B (FEHB Only) | ✅ Enrolling in Part B (Medicare + FEHB) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Payer | FEHB pays first for all claims. | Medicare pays first; FEHB wraps around. |
| Monthly Cost | Only your standard FEHB premium. | FEHB premium + monthly Part B premium. |
| Deductibles & Copays | You pay standard plan cost-sharing. | Many FEHB plans waive deductibles/copays entirely. |
| Out-of-Network | Limited or no coverage on certain plans (e.g., BCBS Basic). | Access to any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare. |
💡 Why Some Retirees Choose Part B
- Lower out-of-pocket costs: Coordination eliminates copays and deductibles on many plans.
- Premium reimbursements: Specific FEHB plans offer partial Part B premium rebates.
- Wider provider access: Out-of-network restrictions disappear under Medicare coordination.
⚠️ Why Some Retirees Skip Part B
- Extra monthly costs: Part B adds an independent, income-adjusted monthly premium per person.
- FEHB is already robust: Comprehensive coverage makes the extra premium redundant for healthy retirees.
- No late penalty if ignored: Civilian retirees who never elect Part B face no penalties as long as they stick solely to FEHB.
Is it better to have Medicare A and B or Medicare Advantage?
Neither option is universally "better"; Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) serve different needs depending on your budget, health, and preference for doctors. You can review your official choices on the Medicare Coverage Options Page.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
- How it works: Run directly by the federal government. Covers hospital care (Part A) and doctor visits (Part B).
- Doctor choice: Go to any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare without needing referrals.
- Costs: No yearly limit on out-of-pocket costs unless you buy a separate Medigap (supplement) policy. You also need separate Part D for prescription drugs.
- Best for: People who travel often within the U.S., want absolute freedom in choosing specialists, or prefer predictable coinsurance paired with a Medigap plan.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- How it works: Offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Combines Part A, Part B, and usually Part D (prescription drugs) into one plan.
- Extra benefits: Often includes routine dental, vision, hearing, and gym memberships.
- Costs: Features a mandatory yearly out-of-pocket maximum limit, but you must use specific provider networks (HMO or PPO) and may need prior approval for treatments.
- Best for: People who want lower upfront or bundled monthly costs, desire extra perks like dental/vision, and stay within a local hospital or doctor network.