Can you opt out of Medicare Part B with Social Security?
Asked by: Colten Waters | Last update: January 13, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (52 votes)
How do I decline Medicare Part B with Social Security?
To find out more about how to terminate Medicare Part B or to schedule a personal interview, contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or visit your nearest Social Security office.
Can I refuse Medicare Part B if I have?
You may refuse Part B without penalty if you have creditable coverage, but you have to do it before your coverage start date. Follow the directions on the back of your Medicare card if you want to refuse Part B.
Is Medicare Part B mandatory?
Part B is optional. Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary. Part B also covers some preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem.
Who is exempt from paying Medicare Part B premiums?
Enrollees who have Medicaid, employer-sponsored health coverage, or retiree health benefits from an employer generally don't have to pay the full Medicare Part B deductible, as the other coverage picks up some or all of the cost (this varies depending on the plan).
How To QUIT MEDICARE Part B
Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare Part B?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B benefits?
There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.
Why do people opt out of Medicare Part B?
Although Part B is not mandatory, it does come with a premium in most cases. Some people delay enrollment in Medicare Part B to avoid paying the premium – especially if they have other creditable coverage. The same can be true of Part A, for people that must pay a premium for it.
How much is deducted from Social Security for Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible
The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $185.00 for 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $257 in 2025, an increase of $17 from the annual deductible of $240 in 2024.
Is there a penalty for not having Medicare Part B?
Example: If you waited 2 full years (24 months) to sign up for Part B and didn't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you'll have to pay a 20% late enrollment penalty (10% for each full 12-month period that you could have signed up), plus the standard Part B monthly premium ($185 in 2025).
How to avoid paying Medicare Part B?
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.
Can you opt out of Medicare if you get Social Security?
In fact, if you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits, you'll have to pay back all the benefits you've received so far in order to opt out of Medicare Part A coverage. That's not usually an option as most people rely on those monthly payments to cover their bills.
What can I get instead of Medicare Part B?
Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. It's an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually D. It may also include: Vision.
Can I skip Part B of Medicare?
In most cases, if you missed your Part B enrollment window, which runs from the three months before the month of your 65th birthday through the three months after the month of your 65th birthday, you will face a late enrollment penalty once you do enroll, which will be added to your premium costs for the remainder of ...
How to get Medicare Part B deducted from Social Security check?
If you receive benefits from Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or Office of Personnel Management (OPM), then your Part B premium will be deducted from your benefit payment. It will come out of your check every month starting with your Part B effective month.
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).
Is Medicare Part B free at age 65?
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is free for almost everyone. You have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical insurance). If you already have other health insurance when you become eligible for Medicare, you may wonder if it's worth the monthly premium costs to sign up for Part B.
Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?
To qualify to get $144 added back to your Social Security check, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a Part B premium reduction or giveback benefit.
Why is the state no longer paying Medicare Part B premiums?
This is because DHCS will not pay your Part B premium in months when: Your Medi-Cal share-of cost (SOC) is over $500 • AND • Your medical expenses are lower than your SOC. Your SOC is the amount that you must pay or promise to pay for medical expenses before Medi-Cal will pay.
Does a person really need Medicare Part B?
Part B helps cover medically necessary services like doctors' services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn't cover. Part B also covers many preventive services. Part B coverage is your choice. However, you need to have Part B if you want to buy Part A.
Can I choose not to take Medicare Part B?
Individuals already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits at least 4 months before being eligible for Medicare and residing in the United States (except residents of Puerto Rico) are automatically enrolled in both premium-free Part A and Part B. People who are automatically enrolled have the choice of whether they ...
Are doctors opting out of Medicare at an alarming rate?
In 2024, 8.1% of psychiatrists have opted out of Medicare, followed by 4.5% of physicians specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery and 3.2% of physicians specializing in neurology (Figure 2).
Why would you decline Medicare Part B?
In most cases, you should only decline Part B if you have group health insurance from an employer you or your spouse is actively working at, and that insurance is primary to Medicare, meaning it pays before Medicare does.
Can I collect Social Security and not have Medicare Part B?
You must keep Medicare Part A if you're receiving Social Security benefits, however, you can defer Medicare Part B if you have other creditable coverage that meets Medicare's standards, such as employer coverage.
What happens if I cancel Medicare Part B?
While individuals have the option to cancel Medicare Part B, there are certain risks they may wish to consider beforehand. These risks include: Healthcare costs: A person who chooses to drop a plan may end up being responsible for the full cost of the services that are covered by that plan.