Medicare Blog

what happens to younger spouse when older spouse goes on medicare

by Lexus Haley Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

When the younger spouse loses coverage because the older spouse transitions to Medicare, a group health insurance plan may still be possible through COBRA. This is a law that allows coverage to continue beyond the end of employment or an employer’s healthcare plan. Dependents may also stay on the group employer’s health plan through COBRA.

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 a younger spouse get Medicare before age 65?

Aug 25, 2015 · 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. You can enroll your …

What happens if your spouse is older than you?

Jun 04, 2018 · If the working spouse is younger than 62, the non-working spouse will not be able to claim on the record. In this case, when they are 65, and assuming they have lived in the US for 5 consecutive years, they can purchase Part A and Part B and pay full premiums until the working spouse turns 62.

Can my spouse receive Medicare benefits if I am not retired?

Feb 11, 2020 · Indeed, nobody can obtain Medicare benefits before age 65, unless they are disabled or have end-state kidney disease. Some younger spouses in this situation are able to switch to health insurance provided by their own employers. Some may continue coverage under retiree health benefits provided by their older spouse's former employer.

When can my spouse enroll in Medicare?

Dec 07, 2019 · Whether a spouse is older or younger than a Medicare recipient, each plan is still issued only to the individual. Exceptions That May Apply. It should be noted that Medicare benefits, while only directly applicable to the recipient of the plan, may be used in some cases that indirectly benefit a spouse.

What happens to my younger wife when I go on Medicare?

Your Medicare insurance doesn't cover your spouse – no matter whether your spouse is 62, 65, or any age. But in some cases, a younger spouse can help you get Medicare Part A with no monthly premium. Traditional Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

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 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.

What happens to a couples premium with one turning 65 and on the Affordable Care Act with a subsidy?

Individual market plans no longer terminate automatically when you turn 65. You can keep your individual market plan, but premium subsidies will terminate when you become eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A (there is some flexibility here, and the date the subsidy terminates will depend on when you enroll).Oct 5, 2021

Does Medicare cover my younger spouse?

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

Can my wife go on Medicare when I retire?

Eligibility for Medicare Medicare benefits cannot start earlier than when you turn 65, unless you are disabled, have ALS, or have end-stage renal disease. Medicare will only cover you, not your spouse or children if they are not eligible on their own.Jun 4, 2018

Does Medicare cover a spouse?

Medicare does not cover spouses specifically. However, some spouses qualify based on the work record of their spouse or a former spouse. Some spouses may qualify by reaching 65 years of age and having their own eligible work and tax record.Apr 21, 2020

How does Medicare work for married couples?

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: Medicare Part A, hospital coverage, has no monthly cost for most people who worked or have a spouse who worked and is eligible for Social Security.Nov 17, 2020

Does Medicare cover your family?

Summary: Medicare is individual insurance, not family insurance, and coverage usually does not include spouses and children. Unlike other types of insurance, Medicare is not offered to your family or dependents once you enroll. To get Medicare, each person must qualify on their own.

Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare if you are on Social Security?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. (Medicare is operated by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, but Social Security handles enrollment.)

Can I stay on Covered California after 65?

Thank you for choosing health insurance through Covered California. Our records indicate that you or someone in your family may qualify for Medicare because you are, or will soon be, age 65 or older. If you have a Covered California plan with financial assistance, you can keep it until you qualify for Medicare.

Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare?

You can drop your employer's health plan for Medicare if you have large employer coverage. When you combine a Medigap plan with Medicare, it's often more affordable for you and your spouse.

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

First, it is important to know how eligibility for Medicare works. Most Medicare beneficiaries have worked and paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 10 years to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A as well as Part B coverage. If you have not worked for 10 years but your spouse has, you are allowed to claim benefits on their record. Medicare benefits cannot start earlier than when you turn 65, unless you are disabled, have ALS, or have end-stage renal disease. Medicare will only cover you, not your spouse or children if they are not eligible on their own.

How long does a spouse have to be on Cobra?

If a company has more than 20 employees, it is required to offer COBRA benefits. COBRA allows coverage for 18 months, sometimes longer, so if the working spouse can wait to retire until 18 months before the younger spouses 65th birthday, this would work out nicely.

Can a non-working spouse get Social Security?

If the non-working spouse is older than the working spouse, the non-working spouse can qualify on on the working spouses work record if they are at least 62, since that is when qualification for Social Security begins. In this case, if the working spouse is still working, the non-working spouse should stay on the work health insurance ...

Can a spouse get health insurance after 65?

The other option would be for the younger spouse to find a job that offers health insurance until they turn 65. While this is a long-shot, some companies will provide coverage for the younger spouse even after the working spouse retires.

Can a non-working spouse claim Medicare?

If the working spouse is no longer employed, the non-working spouse should go ahead and apply for coverage fully from Medicare. If the working spouse is younger than 62, the non-working spouse will not be able to claim on the record.

Does Medicare cover spouse?

Medicare will only cover you, not your spouse or children if they are not eligible on their own. This is where problems begin, especially when a working spouse is older than a non-working spouse. Say the working spouse turns 65, retires, and claims Medicare. The other spouse is only 61.

Can a spouse with a low income get medicaid?

Medicaid is a joint Federal and State program designed to help people with low incomes cover healthcare costs. If, by retiring, your income falls under a certain level, the younger spouse may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. Be aware, as a family, you have to have a very low income and very little assets, so many people will not qualify.

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 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.

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B applies when seeking outpatient care or while being treated through surgery or other medical procedures. Part C refers to enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan, and Part D offers coverage for prescription drugs that are self-administered.

What is Medicare Advantage Plan?

A Medicare Advantage plan is one that includes the benefits of original Medicare as laid out by federal guidelines, but these types of plans often provide additional services and benefits provided by the issuing insurer.

Does Medicare Part D help with depression?

Likewise, someone who requires prescription medication to treat depression may find that medications provided under Medicare Part D can improve a marriage relationship and increase well being for both spouses.

Can a spouse receive Medicare if they die?

The beneficiary of the Medicare plan is the sole entity who can receive benefits from the plan, and upon death, there are no benefits that transfer to a surviving spouse. Age of a spouse doesn’t factor into this equation either. Whether a spouse is older or younger than a Medicare recipient, each plan is still issued only to the individual.

Do seniors get married at any age?

Love and marriage happen at any age, and as life expectancy stats continue to rise across the United States, many seniors are married to younger spouses. In any marriage it’s important to not only discuss plans for the future, but also to put those plans into action by having some type of medical insurance in place to provide coverage ...

Does Medicare cover a spouse?

Unfortunately, Medicare only covers the qualifying individual, meaning it does not offer any family benefits.

When is Medicare open enrollment?

Continue Learning about Medicare. What to Consider When Shopping for Medicare Coverage. Between October 15 and December 7, Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, millions of Medicare beneficiaries have a chance to make changes to their.

Can a spouse switch to health insurance?

Some younger spouses in this situation are able to switch to health insurance provided by their own employers. Some may continue coverage under retiree health benefits provided by their older spouse's former employer. Show More.

Does Medicare cover a spouse?

If that day is far off, consider working at least for a few more years. Medicare does not automatically cover a younger spouse. There is no family coverage under Medicare. Nobody can obtain Medicare benefits before age 65, unless eligible at a younger age because of disability.

How old do you have to be to get Medicare?

In a case such as this, you must be at least 62 years old.

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

In the United States, as soon as you turn 65 you are eligible for Medicare benefits if you are citizen or have been a legal resident for five years or more and have worked for at least 40 quarters (10 years) paying federal taxes.

Can you get Medicare at different ages?

If you and your spouse are different ages, you will likely become eligible at different times. Primary Medicare recipients and their non-insured spouses are entitled to the same benefits under Medicare if both have reached the age of 65.

Do you have to enroll in Medicare Part B or D?

If you wish to sign up for Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and/or Part D (prescription drug insurance), you must enroll separately during your initial enrollment period, Open Enrollment or during Special Enrollment Period to avoid paying late enrollment penalties.

How long do you have to pick a new insurance plan after losing your spouse's insurance?

Losing the coverage you had under your spouse's plan will make you eligible for a time-limited special enrollment period in the individual insurance market, on- or off-exchange (note that in this case, you have 60 days before the loss of coverage, and 60 days after the loss of coverage, during which you can pick a new plan).

How long does it take to get Medicare if you don't have Cobra?

If you’re not going to be eligible for Medicare yourself within 18 months (or up to 36 months, depending on the circumstances), you’ll have to come up with another plan for coverage when your COBRA continuation coverage runs out.

Is Medicaid a separate program from Medicare?

It’s easy to confuse Medicaid and Medicare, but they're separate programs with different benefits and different eligibility criteria. In many states, low-income people making up to 138% of federal poverty level are eligible for Medicaid.

Can I get medicaid if my income is low?

If your income is low enough, you may be eligible for government-provided health insurance through Medicaid. In some states, the Medicaid program goes by another name like SoonerCare in Oklahoma or Medi-Cal in California. It’s easy to confuse Medicaid and Medicare, but they're separate programs with different benefits and different eligibility criteria.

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:

When can a spouse receive Medicare?

Now let’s look at when your spouse is older than you and your spouse didn’t meet the 40 quarters requirement, but you do. When you turn age 62 and your spouse is age 65, your spouse can usually receive premium-free Medicare benefits.

How long do you have to be married to qualify for Medicare?

You have been married to your spouse who qualifies for Social Security benefits for at least 1 year before applying for Social Security benefits. You are divorced, but were married to a spouse for at least 10 years who qualifies for Social Security benefits. You must now be single to apply for Medicare benefits.

How to apply for Medicare Part A?

To qualify for Medicare Part A benefits at age 65 based on your spouse’s work history, you must meet one of the following requirements: 1 You have been married to your spouse who qualifies for Social Security benefits for at least 1 year before applying for Social Security benefits. 2 You are divorced, but were married to a spouse for at least 10 years who qualifies for Social Security benefits. You must now be single to apply for Medicare benefits. 3 You are widowed, but were married for at least 9 months before your spouse died, and they qualified for Social Security benefits. You must now be single.

How long does it take to get Medicare if you don't work?

Medicare is a benefit for individuals who worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 quarters of work, which is roughly about 10 years. If a person’s spouse didn’t work, they may still qualify for Medicare Part A based on their spouse’s work history when they turn age 65.

What is the number to call for Medicare?

If you have further questions about Medicare benefits, you can call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office for more information. Read this article in Spanish.

What is Medicare Advantage?

One of these options is Medicare Advantage (Part C), which bundles both Part A and Part B together and offers additional coverage and benefits. If extra coverage, like dental, vision, or hearing care, is important to maintaining your individual health, give some thought to whether original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will work best for you.

Does Medicare affect spouse's health insurance?

Medicare is an individual insurance system, but there are times when one spouse s eligibility may help the other receive certain benefits. Also, the amount of money you and your spouse make combined may affect your Medicare Part B insurance premiums.

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