Can I cancel my Medicare Part D plan if I'm not using it, and will I get a penalty if I need it later?

Question

Jeremy Harkins · Accepted Answer

It is possible to drop a Medicare Part D plan during an allowed enrollment period, but I would be very careful about doing that simply because you are not taking prescriptions right now.

Part D is insurance for medications you may need later. If you drop it and go 63 days or more in a row without Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage, you may owe a late-enrollment penalty when you enroll again. You may also have to wait for another enrollment period before you can get drug coverage back.

That waiting period can become a much bigger issue than the penalty.

Imagine you drop your Part D plan because you take no medications. Then in February, you have a serious health event and your doctor prescribes a medication that costs several thousand dollars a month. If you do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may have to pay for that medication yourself until you can enroll during Medicare Open Enrollment from October 15 through December 7, with the new coverage generally not starting until January 1.

In an extreme situation, that could mean being without Medicare drug coverage for most of the year at exactly the time you need expensive medication the most.

The penalty is generally 1% of Medicare’s national base beneficiary premium for each full month you went without creditable coverage. In 2026, that base amount is $38.99. The penalty is generally added to your Part D premium for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.

Before dropping Part D, I would have a licensed Medicare agent review your current premium, medications, and any other drug coverage you have. Even if you take nothing today, keeping an inexpensive Part D plan may protect you from both a future penalty and a potentially much larger gap in coverage if your health changes unexpectedly.

Glori Gold · Answer

Yes, you can disenroll from Medicare Part D during an applicable enrollment period. However, going without prescription drug coverage can become expensive later.

* 63-day rule: If you go 63 or more consecutive days without Part D or other creditable prescription drug coverage, you may face a late enrollment penalty.
* Penalty: Generally, 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each full uncovered month.
* Duration: The penalty generally continues for as long as you have Medicare Part D.
* Exception: If you maintain other creditable prescription drug coverage, such as qualifying employer coverage, you generally avoid the penalty.

The key takeaway

Even if someone takes no prescriptions today, keeping drug coverage may protect them from future penalties and unexpected medication costs.

Aaron Meyer · Answer

While yes you can cancel your Medicare Part D there are risks associated with doing this. If you cancel your Part D and do not have "Credible" drug coverage as dictated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services then you will accrue a penalty equal to 1% of the National average of premium costs for each month you go without coverage, meaning that if/when you need that drug coverage later on you will have to pay a considerable amount more each month. There are some alternative options to a traditional Part D plan, switching to a Medicare Advantage plan with Perscription Drug Coverage (MAPD) and depending on you state you may have access to a state pharmaceutical program in which you are able to enroll that also counts as credible coverage. If you get your perscriptions through the VA or you are still able to be on an employer insurance coverage this also counts as well.

Answered by Aaron Meyer on October 21, 2026

Agent Licensed in WI

Answered by Aaron Meyer Medicare Insurance Agent

Jim Carroll · Answer

If you either have Original Medicare Part A and Part B, or a Medicare Supplement (a.k.a. Medigap), the government requires you to also have a Part D (a.k.a. Prescription Drug Plan).

If you go more than 63 days or more without credible drug coverage, you will be penalized a 1% per month late enrollment fee for the remainder of your Medicare drug coverage once you enroll again.

Example:

If you waited 14 months after you were eligible for Medicare to join a Medicare drug plan, and you didn’t have creditable drug coverage, you’ll have to pay a 14% late enrollment penalty in addition to your monthly plan premium.

◽ The penalty amount comes from the "national base beneficiary premium" ($38.99 in 2026).
◽ The national base beneficiary premium changes each year, so your penalty amount may also
    change each year. This monthly penalty is added for as long as you have Medicare drug
    coverage, even if you switch plans.

In 2026:

$38.99 (2026 national base beneficiary premium) X   0.14 (14% penalty) = $5.46 (rounded to the nearest $0.10 = $5.50).

Therefore, $5.50 will be your monthly penalty for 2026. This amount is added to your plan’s monthly premium for 2026.

WyeTony Cribbs · Answer

Yes, you are able to cancel your Medicare Part D. There will be no penalty as long as you don't go too long without it.

Juliette Chihade · Answer

If you cancel you Medicare Part D plan and comes back later you will be panelized 1% of he national average premium for each month you were not enrolled.

Robin Earley · Answer

You must keep drug coverage. You may drop your Plan F but you must choose other drug coverage options. You will get a penalty if you don’t and this penalty could be for the lifetime of your coverage.

Answered by Robin Earley on October 20, 2026

Agent Licensed in IL

Answered by Robin Earley Medicare Insurance Agent

Scott VanHoogstraat · Answer

Only if you are moving over to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you a Veteran you can get all your meds through the VA

Can I cancel my Medicare Part D plan if I'm not using it, and will I get a penalty if I need it later?

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Can I cancel my Medicare Part D plan if I'm not using it, and will I get a penalty if I need it later?

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