Can I Get Medicare Through My Spouse?

Can I get Medicare through my spouse? Yes, you can. If you don’t have the required minimum of 40 quarters of paid Social Security but your spouse does, you can qualify for Part A coverage when you turn 65. Medicare Part A coverage includes coverage for inpatient hospital care, specific home health services, nursing care, and hospice care. However, your chances of getting approved will depend on a number of conditions.

So, if you’re wondering, “Can I get Medicare through my spouse?” then the answer is yes. If your spouse meets the eligibility criteria, then you should be able to get Medicare through your spouse.

Conditions to Qualify for Medicare Part A

1. Your covered spouse is 65 years old and eligible for premium-free Part A Medicare. As the non-working spouse, you will be eligible for premium-free Part A and Part B regardless of your age.

2. You are 65 years old or medically disabled and you are married to a spouse who is eligible for Social Security benefits. The marriage must be at least a year old before you can apply for Medicare Part A. Your spouse must at least be 62 years old at the time of application.

3. You are divorced and your ex spouse is eligible for retirement or disability benefits. The marriage must have lasted for 10 years or more. To be eligible, you must be single at the time of application.

4. Your spouse is deceased. The marriage must have lasted for at least nine months before his or her death. You must be single at the time of application.

Exception: Covered Spouse Is Not Yet 62 Years Old

If your covered spouse is not yet 62 years old, you can still get Medicare but you will pay for Part A until he or she turns 62. When he or she turns 62, you will be eligible for premium-free Part A Medicare as Part B is not mandatory.

Exception: Disability Before 65

Spouses who develop disabilities before turning 65 years old and who don’t have enough work history cannot qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A.

Coverage Under Premium Free Medicare Part A

Coverage for hospital expenses includes those that are crucial to inpatient care such as meals, nursing services, semi-private rooms, and medications that are part of care. Coverage applies to acute care hospitals, critical access centers, inpatient rehabilitation centers, mental health care centers and even clinical research centers.

Coverage does not include admittance to private rooms unless this is medically-required. Coverage also does not extend to private duty nursing, personal care expenses, phone and TV charges. It also does not cover 24-hour home care when this is not related to treatment.

Eligibility for Other Types of Medicare Coverage

A non-working spouse can also be eligible for other types of Medicare coverage aside from Part A and Part B. You can apply for Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D (prescription drugs) or Medicare Supplement Insurance when you apply for Part A or B, with some exceptions. Medicare Advantage Plans incorporate the same benefits of Part A and B into one plan with some additional benefits such as dental, visual and hearing coverage.

Bottom Line

So, can I get Medicare through my spouse? Medicare covers both working and non-working spouses, provided that the conditions are met. If you as the non-working spouse meets the conditions, you are eligible for Medicare coverage through your spouse. Given how critical it is to have health insurance nowadays, Medicare plays a major role in older American’s lives.

Can I Get Medicare Through My Spouse? – Making Sure You Are Covered