Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may adaptively switch between hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) monitoring modes to support power savings. In a first HARQ skipping mode, the UE may transmit an uplink message corresponding to a HARQ identifier and may receive a positive acknowledgment (ACK) message in a HARQ monitoring occasion associated with the HARQ identifier. Upon receiving the ACK message, the UE refrains from monitoring a subsequent HARQ monitoring occasion associated with the HARQ identifier while in the first HARQ skipping mode (e.g., an aggressive HARQ skipping mode). The UE may periodically enter a periodic evaluation mode from the first HARQ skipping mode, in which the UE monitors a subsequent HARQ monitoring occasion after receiving an ACK message to check for false ACK messages. If a false ACK message is detected, the UE enters a first HARQ skipping prohibited mode.