Do husband and wife pay the same Medicare premiums?


Editorial team Published on

No, a husband and wife do not share a single family plan and generally pay separate Medicare premiums based on individual enrollment and household income.

How Medicare Premiums Work for Married Couples

  • Individual Coverage: Medicare is strictly an individual program. There are no joint or family plans. Each spouse must enroll separately and manage their own coverage.
  • Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Most people get Part A for free ($0) if they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). If neither spouse meets this requirement, a spouse may have to buy Part A for a monthly cost (either $311 or $565 per month in 2026, depending on work credits).
  • Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): Both spouses pay a monthly Part B premium.
    • The standard monthly Part B premium is $202.90 per person in 2026.
    • If your combined household income on your joint tax return exceeds specific limits (such as over $218,000 for joint filers in 2026), both spouses may pay a higher income-adjusted rate known as IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), though the surcharge is assessed individually.
  • Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) & Part D (Prescription Drugs): These plans are sold by private insurance companies. If you and your spouse choose the same plan or different plans, you will each pay separate monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.
  • Possible Discounts: Some private companies offer a "household discount" (typically 5% to 12%) on Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies if both spouses live together and buy a policy from the same insurer, though the plans and premiums remain individual.