Medicare Blog

can my spouse get medicare if when i join even though she is younger than me

by Mrs. Pinkie Durgan DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Medicare does not cover younger spouses, unless they have a disability, until they turn 65. There are a few options for your younger spouse to maintain health insurance, especially if they do not have their own job-based insurance: You can continue working until your younger spouse meets Medicare requirements, and delay your Part B enrollment

Some are under the impression that Medicare will automatically cover a younger spouse when they themselves qualify, but it doesn't. There is no family coverage under Medicare. Indeed, nobody can obtain Medicare benefits before age 65, unless they are disabled or have end-state kidney disease.Feb 11, 2020

Full Answer

Can one spouse be on Medicare and the other not?

The answer is no. Medicare is individual insurance, so spouses cannot be on the same Medicare plan together. Now, if your spouse is eligible for Medicare, then he or she can get their own Medicare plan.

When can my wife get Medicare?

age 65 or olderTo qualify for Medicare, your spouse must be age 65 or older. If your spouse is age 62 (or any age under 65), he or she could only qualify for Medicare by disability.

Will my non-working spouse who turns 65 before me get Medicare at age 65?

Medicare can be available to anyone – including a non-working spouse – who is at least 65 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal resident of at least five years. You may even qualify for Medicare before 65 if you have a qualifying disability or health condition.

Is my spouse eligible for Medicare when I turn 65?

Your spouse is eligible for Medicare when he or she turns 65. Your eligibility for Medicare has no impact on the date that your spouse is eligible for Medicare. Continue reading for more answers to your questions about Medicare, individual health insurance, and coverage options for your spouse after you enroll.

How does Medicare work for married couples?

Medicare considers you and your spouse's combined income (if you're married and file your income taxes jointly) when calculating Part B premiums. In most cases, you'll each pay the standard monthly Part B premium, which is $170.10 per month in 2022.

Can I get Medicare at age 62?

The typical age requirement for Medicare is 65, unless you qualify because you have a disability. 2. If you retire before 65, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits starting at age 62, but you are not eligible for Medicare.

How much does a non working spouse get in Social Security?

The maximum Social Security benefit of a nonworking spouse is up to 50 percent of the working spouse's benefit at FRA. So if, for example, your FRA benefit is $2,000/month, your spouse would be able to collect up to $1,000 at his FRA.

When can a spouse claim spousal benefits?

You must have been married at least 10 years. You must have been divorced from the spouse for at least two consecutive years. You are unmarried. Your ex-spouse must be entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits.

Can I get AARP health insurance at 62?

Full AARP membership is available to anyone age 50 and over.

Does Medicare apply to your spouse?

To qualify for Medicare, you need to have paid into the Social Security system. Just like with Social Security benefits, you can qualify for Medicare coverage under your spouse's record. That continues if you divorce, provided you meet certain conditions outlined by the Social Security Administration.

What happens when my husband goes on Medicare?

Although your husband now qualifies for Medicare, you will not qualify for Medicare until you turn age 65. If you do not have health insurance now, you can consider signing up for health insurance coverage through a Marketplace plan.

Can I be covered under my husband's Medicare?

Does Medicare cover people's spouses? Medicare offers federal health insurance coverage for those aged 65 years and over, as well as those with a permanent disability. Medicare does not cover spouses specifically. However, some spouses qualify based on the work record of their spouse or a former spouse.

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What is the phone number for Medicare?

If you have an urgent matter or need enrollment assistance, call us at 800-930-7956. By submitting your question here, you agree that a licensed sales representative may respond to you about Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, and Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

What is the gap in Medicare?

If you decide to enroll in Medicare when you’re first eligible at 65, Medigap can fill in the gaps of Original Medicare. Some of these gaps are Medicare’s deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and an additional 365 hospitalization days.

What is Medicare for 2021?

Last Updated: Apr 27, 2021 2:19 pm. Original Medicare is federal health coverage for those 65 and older and for those younger than 65 with a disability, but what happens with a younger spouse’s health coverage when you enroll in Medicare? Many Medicare-eligible citizens wonder whether their younger spouse (especially non-working younger spouse) ...

What is the number to call Senior65?

To learn more call a Senior65 agent at 800-930-7956.

Does Medicare cover younger spouses?

Medicare does not cover younger spouses, unless they have a disability, until they turn 65. There are a few options for your younger spouse to maintain health insurance, especially if they do not have their own job-based insurance: You can continue working until your younger spouse meets Medicare requirements, and delay your Part B enrollment.

Does Senior65 sell your information?

Senior65 believes in your privacy. We will not sell your personal information. This is a solicitation for insurance.

Can a disabled spouse get Medicare?

However, younger spouses who have a disability can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. This might be a good choice for a younger spouse to limit their out of pocket costs and have extras offered like drug, hearing, vision, and dental coverage.

How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

If your spouse is at least 62 years old, and has worked at least 10 years paying Medicare taxes, you can enroll in Medicare when you turn 65, including premium-free Part A. If your spouse is younger than 62 when you turn 65, you won’t qualify for premium-free Part A until your spouse turns 62 ...

How long do you have to work to get Medicare?

Generally, you qualify for premium-free Part A when you’ve worked at least 10 years (40 quarters) paying Medicare taxes. Beneficiaries typically pay a Part B premium.

Do you have to pay Medicare premiums if you haven't worked?

Beneficiaries typically pay a Part B premium. If you haven’t worked and paid taxes for that long, you may have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A, depending on your spouse’s age and how long he or she has worked and paid taxes. If you’re married and haven’t worked in a paying job:

How long can a mate be on Medicare?

That way your mate can continue coverage under your employer plan until he or she becomes eligible for Medicare at age 65, or, if that day is far off, for at least a few more years.

What is the ACA eligibility for Medicaid?

The ACA gives states the option to expand Medicaid eligibility to people with incomes of up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($17,236 in 2020).

How many people will be eligible for medicaid in 2020?

The ACA gives states the option to expand Medicaid eligibility to people with incomes of up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($17,236 in 2020). As of January 2020, 36 states and the District of Columbiahad done so. Some 13 million Americans have gained health coverage as a result of the expansion, according to "What Consumers Need to Know About Medicaid," a February 2019 report by the AARP Public Policy Institute.

How many states will have Medicaid in 2020?

As of January 2020, 36 states and the District of Columbia had done so. Some 13 million Americans have gained health coverage as a result of the expansion, according to "What Consumers Need to Know About Medicaid," a February 2019 report by the AARP Public Policy Institute.

How to learn more about medicaid?

To learn more about your Medicaid options, contact your state's Medicaid agency.

How many people are on medicaid?

Jointly funded by the federal and state governments, Medicaid is the nation's public health insurance program for people with limited income and financial resources, serving nearly 65 million people as of late 2019.

Can a younger spouse get Medicare?

Otherwise, here are some options for a younger spouse not yet eligible for Medicare.

How long do you have to be married to get Medicare?

If divorced, you must have been married for at least 10 years. Once you turn 65, you are eligible for free Medicare Part A through your former spouse, as long as they worked at least 10 years and paid Medicare taxes during that time.

Why do Medicare premiums change?

Your premiums may change because of your total income. There are no family plans or special rates for couples in Medicare. You will each pay the same premium amount that individuals pay. Here's what to know about costs:

What is Medicare Advantage Plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan is a type of plan offered by a private insurance company to provide you with all your Medicare Part A and Part B services. You may be charged a separate premium by the insurance company in addition to your Part B premium and may be eligible for additional benefits, including prescription drugs.

How much does Medicare pay in 2021?

Most people pay the standard premium, which is $148 per month in 2021. The more you make each year, the more you'll pay each month for Medicare.

Does Medicare coverage change if you are married?

The good news about marriage and Medicare is that your coverage won't change. Neither will your spouse's. Whether you're already married, thinking about getting married, or no longer married, here's what you need to know.

Do you have to pay deductibles for Medicare Part D?

Even if you and your spouse pick the same plan, you'll each have to meet the deductible before Medicare starts to pay anything toward your health care.

How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

You must be at least 62 years old and eligible for Social Security benefits before your spouse can enroll, because his or her qualification is based on your work record. You don’t have to actually start getting your Social Security benefits; you just need to be old enough to file for them if you wanted to. If you are younger than 62, your spouse may choose to pay the premium for Medicare Part A, if needed, until the premium-free benefit kicks in.

When do you have to make decisions about Medicare?

You’ll need to make some decisions about Medicare when you become eligible, whether or not you continue working past age 65.

Why is there no Medicare premium?

There’s no premium for it because your Medicare tax dollars go into the hospital insurance trust fund, which then finances Medicare Part A benefits for eligible individuals.

What happens if you have both health insurance and one turns 65?

If you both are covered by your employer health insurance, and one of you turns 65, you’ll have decisions to make about Medicare. In this case, it will depend on the employer and their rules around covered dependents of Medicare age.

Can my spouse continue to work and keep my employer's coverage?

Your spouse may continue coverage through your employer plan if you keep working and keep the employer coverage .

Can a spouse get medicare?

Medicare isn’t just for people who retire after many years of working. Anyone who meets Medicare eligibility requirements can get Medicare, including spouses . But when a person asks “Can my non-working spouse get Medicare?” they really are asking “Can my spouse be on my Medicare plan?”

How long do you have to be married to get Medicare?

*You must be married for at least one year before an older spouse can be eligible for Medicare based on your work record.

How long does a non-working spouse have to pay Medicare?

All of the following scenarios assume the non-working spouse has not paid Medicare taxes for 40 quarters (ten years) in their lifetime.

What are the benefits of Medicare Advantage?

Some Medicare Advantage plans may also offer additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage and coverage for dental, vision and hearing care. To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans for you and your spouse, call to speak with a licensed insurance agent today.

Can a non-working person get Medicare based on their spouse's work history?

Can a non-working person become eligible for Medicare based on their spouse’s work history? Yes, although the following restrictions may apply.

Does Medicare cover spouse?

While there are of course some exceptions and special circumstances that apply, Medicare can and does provide coverage for the spouse of a beneficiary, even if that person does not qualify for Medicare on their own. Learn more about Medicare coverage for non-working spouses below.

Enrolling in Medicare at 65

If you want to enroll when you are turning 65, you can enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, Part D prescription drug coverage or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. You can also look at adding a Medicare supplement insurance plan to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to help with the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare.

Enrolling in Medicare Part A at 65

Many people who are covered by a spouse’s employer plan choose to either wait to enroll until they lose their spouse’s employer coverage or choose to only enroll in Part A since Part A usually has no premium.

Delaying Medicare Enrollment

Just because you are turning 65, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get Medicare right now. If you decide that waiting to enroll in Medicare is the best option both financially and in terms of healthcare coverage for you, just follow Medicare’s rules, and you’ll avoid enrollment penalties when you do enroll.

When Would I Enroll If I Delay or Only Take Part A?

If you are able to delay enrolling in either all or part of Medicare, you will have a Special Enrollment Period of eight months that begins when the employer coverage is lost or when your spouse retires. During this time, you’ll be able to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B. You can also enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan.

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How old do you have to be to get medicare?

Medicare can be available to anyone – including a non-working spouse – who is at least 65 years old and a U.S. citizen or legal resident of at least five years. You may even qualify for Medicare before 65 if you have a qualifying disability or health condition.

How long before you turn 65 can you sign up for Medicare?

Anyone who is eligible for Medicare but isn’t receiving Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before they turn 65 may need to sign up for Medicare manually by visiting their local Social Security office or by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-325-0778 to confirm their eligibility.

How long do you have to work to qualify for Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare without having to pay a monthly premium for Part A hospital insurance coverage, you or your spouse must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters, which is the equivalent of 10 years.

Does Medicare cover all members of a household?

It’s important to note that Medicare only covers each individual separately. Unlike an employer-sponsored health plan that can cover all members of a household, each partner must enroll in Medicare separately and maintain their own individual policy.

Can a non-working spouse get Medicare?

A non-working spouse can qualify for Medicare, depending on their age, disability status or whether they have a qualifying health condition. Depending on their spouse’s work history, they may even qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. Learn more about Medicare eligibility rules concerning a spouse who has met Medicare work requirements.

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