Has your spouse worked the required amount of time to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A but you haven’t? Or maybe the opposite is true. If you’re wondering if a non-working spouse can qualify for Medicare based on a working spouse’s eligibility, then you’ve come to the right place.
Do non-working spouses qualify for Medicare?
Perhaps you haven’t worked, but your spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters). In this case, you may be eligible to receive Medicare Part A coverage for free when you turn 65. You must be married for at least a year before applying to be eligible.
This applies to people who were employed in the past but didn’t work and pay Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, as well as people who have never worked outside of the home (such as housewives).
However, if you are under the age of 65 and develop a qualifying disability, you do not qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) based on your spouse’s working history. You can only qualify for SSDI (and subsequently Medicare) if you yourself have worked and paid social security taxes long enough.
But let’s get back to Medicare eligibility for non-working spouses who are turning 65.
Can a non-working spouse get premium-free Part A?
Non-working spouses qualify for premium-free Part A hospital insurance if their spouse has worked and paid Medicare taxes for the required amount of time (10 years). However, which spouse turns 65 first will have an impact on when the non-working spouse is able to get Part A without having to pay a monthly premium.
If the Working Spouse Turns 65 First
If the working spouse turns 65 first, then the non-working spouse will become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65 regardless of how much they worked. When the non-working spouse turns 65, they will be able to enroll in premium-free Part A.
If the Non-Working Spouse Turns 65 First
If the non-working spouse is the first to reach age 65, then they are only eligible for premium-free Part A if the working spouse is at least 62 years old. If the working spouse is not yet 62 years of age, then the non-working spouse may have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A until the working spouse turns 62, at which point the non-working spouse will be able to receive premium-free Medicare.
A non-working spouse will have to pay either $259 or $479 per month for their Part A monthly premium until their spouse turns 65. This amount is determined by how long the beneficiary was working and paying Medicare taxes.
Are non-working spouses eligible for other parts of Medicare?
Non-working spouses are also eligible for other parts of Medicare. Premium-free Part A eligibility depends on the working spouse’s age, the spouse’s work history, and when the non-working spouse turns 65. However, the non-working spouse will always have the option to pay a premium for Part A. When they turn 65, the non-working spouse can also enroll in Medicare Part B.
If the non-working spouse enrolls in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) when they turn 65, they also have the opportunity to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. These plans offer additional benefits or fill in the gaps left over by Original Medicare. At this point, a non-working spouse can also sign up for prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Part D plan.
You should be aware that while you sign up for Medicare Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance through your local Social Security Administration office, Medicare beneficiaries must enroll in Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, and Part D drug plans through a private health insurance company.
If you would like to know more about Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans, reach out to a licensed insurance agent at Medicare Plans Direct today.
Medicare Coverage for Non-Working Divorcees and Widowers
You may be wondering what happens to non-working individuals who are divorced or widowed. If you are divorced, were married for at least 10 years, and your former spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for the required amount of time, then you are eligible to receive premium-free Part A.
And if you are widowed, were married for at least 9 months before your spouse died, and your spouse had worked and paid Medicare taxes for the required amount of time, then you are eligible to receive premium-free Part A.
Remember, everyone’s individual situation is different. Perhaps you still have employer coverage when your non-working spouse turns 65, or maybe you aren’t sure if your own work history could qualify you for premium-free Part A.
Reach out to us today to get free Medicare advice. We can answer your questions, help you to explore your coverage options, and assist you in finding the right Medicare plan for you.
