Medicare Blog

wife younger than me when i join medicare

by Damien Bartell Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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If your spouse is younger, they must be at least 62 years old — the age at which they can qualify for Social Security retirement benefits — in order for you to get Medicare coverage on their record, according to Diane J. Omdahl, co-founder and president of 65 Incorporated, a provider of Medicare education. Employer plans

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?

Sep 02, 2019 · If your spouse is younger than you when you turn 65 and become Medicare eligible, he or she must wait until turning 65 to be automatically enrolled in premium-free Medicare Part A. If you are eligible for Medicare benefits, but your spouse is younger and left without coverage when you leave your group health insurance, there are several options that …

When can my spouse enroll in Medicare?

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. Some younger spouses in this situation are able to switch to health insurance provided by their own employers.

Do I qualify for Medicare if my spouse doesn’t work?

May 28, 2019 · 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 (if your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years). If neither you nor your spouse worked at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, each of you may qualify for Medicare upon turning 65, but you may both have to …

Can I get free Medicare Part A through my former spouse?

Feb 11, 2020 · I can go on Medicare, but what are the options for my spouse, who is younger? A. The best option for your spouse, frankly, is for you to keep working, if at all possible. 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.

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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 to spouse when 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.

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

Do both spouses have to be 65 for Medicare?

If your spouse is older than you, they'll qualify for Medicare benefits at age 65. You may be able to receive Medicare benefits slightly earlier if you're at least 62 years old, married to someone who is age 65, and also worked for 40 quarters and you paid Medicare taxes.

Can my wife get Medicare if she never worked?

If you don't have enough work quarters to qualify for premium-free Part A through your own work history, you may be able to qualify through your spouse. Note that you'll both have to separately enroll in Medicare, but neither of you would have to pay a monthly premium for Part A.

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.

How much is Medicare for a couple?

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.Nov 19, 2021

Why is my Medicare premium more than my husbands?

If you file your taxes as “married, filing jointly” and your MAGI is greater than $170,000, you'll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you file your taxes using a different status, and your MAGI is greater than $85,000, you'll pay higher premiums.

Do both spouse's pay Medicare Part B?

You and your spouse pay separate premiums for Medicare benefits under Medicare Part B, and Medicare Part D if you sign up for it. If one or both of you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will continue to pay separately the Medicare Part B premium and possibly a separate plan premium.

Can I add my wife to my Medicare plan?

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.Apr 21, 2020

Can my wife get Medicare when I retire?

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 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 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.

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.

How long can you keep Cobra insurance?

The COBRA law allows people who have left or lost a job to continue coverage through their former employer for up to 18 months by paying the full premiums. If eligible, spouses and dependent children can receive this coverage, even if departing employees don't take it themselves.

When is open enrollment for ACA?

Open enrollment for ACA plans only runs from November 1 to December 15 in most states, but people who are losing their current health coverage may qualify for a special enrollment period. Depending on your income and the plan you choose, you may be eligible for subsidies (in the form of tax credits) to reduce your premiums.

What is individual insurance?

Individual insurance. This is insurance you buy on your own. Even though it's called "individual" — to distinguish it from "group" employer insurance — you can purchase a family policy that will cover you, your spouse and any dependent children. This type of insurance is often costly, especially for people older than 50.

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.

What is Cobra insurance?

COBRA, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, is a law that gives workers and families that lose employer health coverage the right to maintain the coverage by paying the full premiums. If a company has more than 20 employees, it is required to offer COBRA benefits. COBRA allows coverage for 18 months, sometimes longer, ...

How long does Cobra last?

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. One caveat to this is that the premiums are going to be much higher than ...

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.

How old do you have to be to get medicare?

To get Medicare coverage, a person has to either be 65 years old or medically disabled. “A lot of people don’t know that a spouse can be covered for Medicare under their spouse’s work record,” said Medicare expert Katy Votava, president of Goodcare.com, an independent consulting firm that specializes in health care.

Can my spouse get medicare?

Your spouse may be eligible for Medicare coverage under your work record, provided they are either age 65 or disabled. But you do want to pay attention to rules for coordinating employer plans and Medicare — particularly when it comes to your spouse. If you’re like many Americans, you may be baffled as to whether or not your spouse is eligible ...

How old do you have to be to qualify for Medicare?

If your spouse is older than you, they’ll qualify for Medicare benefits at age 65. You may be able to receive Medicare benefits slightly earlier if you’re at least 62 years old, married to someone who is age 65, and also worked for 40 quarters ...

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.

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.

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.

How long do you have to be married to receive Social Security?

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. If you aren’t sure you meet a certain requirement, you can contact the Social Security Administration by calling 800-772-1213.

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Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance. Last medically reviewed on December 20, 2019.

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.

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.

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 old do you have to be to get Medicare?

Medicare eligibility at age 65. You must typically meet two requirements to receive Medicare benefits: You are at least 65 years old. You are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident for at least five years. In order to receive premium-free Part A of Medicare, you must meet both of the above requirements and qualify for full Social Security ...

How long do you have to be a resident to qualify for Medicare?

Medicare eligibility chart - by age. - Typically eligible for Medicare if you're a U.S. citizen or legal resident for at least 5 years. - If you won't be automatically enrolled when you turn 65, your Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before your 65th birthday.

What are the requirements for Medicare?

You must typically meet two requirements to receive Medicare benefits: 1 You are at least 65 years old 2 You are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident for at least five years

How much is Medicare Part A 2020?

In 2020, the Medicare Part A premium can be as high as $458 per month. Let’s say Gerald’s wife, Jessica, reaches age 62 and has worked for the required number of years to qualify for premium-free Part A once she turns 65. Because Jessica is now 62 years old and has met the working requirement, Gerald may now receive premium-free Part A.

Who can help you compare Medicare Advantage plans?

If you have further questions about Medicare eligibility, contact a licensed insurance agent today. A licensed agent can help answer your questions and help you compare Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) that are available where you live.

Who is Christian Worstell?

Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options. .. Read full bio

Is Medicaid based on income?

Yes. Medicaid qualification is based on income, not age. While Medicaid eligibility differs from one state to another, it is typically available to people of lower incomes and resources including pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly and children. Learn more about the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

When can I enroll in Medicare Part A?

You can enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) during your seven-month initial enrollment period around your 65th birthday. It won’t cost you anything — there are no premiums for Part A if you’re entitled to Medicare — but it provides an opportunity to tell the Social Security Administration (SSA), which handles Medicare enrollment, ...

Do I have to sign up for Medicare if I'm 65?

No, as long as you follow Medicare’s rules. Almost anybody who is retired but has group health coverage from the employer of a spouse who is still working does not need to sign up for Medicare Part B on reaching 65.

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