Do Not Cancel Part B After Enrolling in Medicare Advantage
The reality is that to enroll and remain enrolled in most Medicare Advantage plans, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B
Shanti
8/30/20262 min read
Do Not Cancel Part B After Enrolling in Medicare Advantage
One of the dangerous mistakes some people make is assuming that they no longer need Medicare Part B after enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan and can cancel it.
The reality is that to enroll and remain enrolled in most Medicare Advantage plans, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Therefore, enrolling in Medicare Advantage does not mean that Part B is eliminated or completely replaced.
How Does Medicare Advantage Work?
Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is another way to receive your Part A and Part B benefits. These plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They usually include prescription drug coverage and may also provide additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage. However, enrolling in one of these plans does not mean that you can cancel Part B. According to official Medicare information, you must have both Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan.
What Does a Zero Dollar Premium Plan Mean?
Some Medicare Advantage plans are advertised as having a $0 monthly premium. However, a zero dollar premium usually means that the insurance company does not charge a separate monthly premium for the Medicare Advantage plan itself.
It does not mean that all healthcare services are free or that your Part B premium has been eliminated. You will usually still have to pay your monthly Part B premium. You may also have to pay other healthcare costs, including:
• Copayments, which are fixed amounts you pay when receiving certain services
• Coinsurance, which is a percentage of the cost of a covered service
• An annual deductible
• Costs for services received outside the plan’s network
• Prescription drug costs
Medicare Advantage plans also have an annual limit on how much you pay out of pocket for covered medical services. However, this limit varies from one plan to another.
Do Some Plans Pay Part of the Part B Premium?
Yes. Some Medicare Advantage plans in certain areas may pay all or part of a member’s Part B premium. This benefit is commonly called a Part B Premium Reduction or Part B Giveback.
However, this benefit is not available through every plan or in every area, and the amount may vary. Even if your plan offers a Part B Giveback, you should not cancel Part B. You must remain enrolled in Part B.
What Happens If You Cancel Part B?
Canceling Part B may have serious consequences:
• You may no longer meet the requirements to remain enrolled in your Medicare Advantage plan.
• You may experience a gap in your healthcare coverage.
• You may have to wait for a specific enrollment period before you can enroll in Part B again.
• If you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment penalty.
• You may be responsible for paying your healthcare expenses until your coverage begins again.
For these reasons, before canceling Part B or making any changes to your Medicare coverage, speak with Social Security, Medicare, or a knowledgeable insurance agent.
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