How does Medicare work when you are married?
Asked by: Dr. Onie Casper | Last update: January 14, 2026Score: 5/5 (68 votes)
What happens to Medicare if I get married?
Marriage and Medicare
The good news is that because your coverage is your own, it isn't affected by things like marriage. Your marital status doesn't affect your coverage, so you don't gain or lose coverage by getting married or divorced.
What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?
Choosing the right Medicare plan can be confusing, and it's difficult to decipher all the language written into these plans and options. Medicare mistakes to avoid include missing your initial enrollment period, signing up for the wrong coverage, not paying your premiums, and assuming your spouse is covered.
Can one spouse be on Medicare and the other not?
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.
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
What is Medicare? | How Does Medicare Work | Medicare Explained
Can I get Medicare on my spouse's work record?
However, you can enroll in premium-free Part A under your spouse's work history if he or she has the necessary 40 quarters of Medicare earnings required, is at least age 62, and you have been married at least 1 year. This is also available under an ex-spouse's record if you were married at least 10 years.
Is Medicare primary if spouse is still working?
But if your spouse works for an employer with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare typically becomes the primary coverage at age 65 and the employer coverage is secondary. In that case, you need to sign up for Medicare at 65 or else you may face gaps in coverage.
Do married couples pay separate Medicare premiums?
Since you each must enroll in Medicare separately, one of you may be able to sign up before the other one, depending on your age. Your premiums may change because of your total income. There are no family plans or special rates for couples in Medicare. You will each pay the same premium amount that individuals pay.
Does Medicare cover spouse over 65?
The spouse of a Medicare plan holder becomes eligible for their own plan when they turn 65 years old, even if they never worked outside the home. This is because they qualify based on their spouse's work record.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
What are the bad things about Medicare?
The provider network limits the choice of doctors/hospitals and doctors may not accept certain Medicare Advantage plans. Members are required to pay full price for services outside the provider network. Plans may change annually. May not be covered if you live in two different places during the calendar year.
Why do doctors not like to take Medicare?
In recent years, physician groups and some policymakers have raised concerns that physicians would opt out of Medicare due to reductions in Medicare payments for many Part B services, potentially leading to a shortage of physicians willing to treat people with Medicare.
What benefits will I lose if I get married?
If you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. However, other benefits such as SSI, Survivors, Divorced Spouses, and Child's benefits may be affected.
Do married couples get two Social Security checks?
If you are married and you and your spouse have worked and earned enough credits individually, you will each get your own Social Security benefit.
Do I need to report my marriage to Social Security?
Be sure to call us right away at 1-800-772-1213 to report your marriage to avoid being overpaid. If you remarry before age 50 – You won't be eligible for survivors or disability benefits as a surviving spouse unless your later marriage ends by divorce or annulment.
What happens to my Medicare if I get married?
Being in a marriage of any kind won't affect which type of Medicare you enroll in — Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage only offer individual plans.
Is Medicare free at age 65?
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)
You're eligible for Part A at no cost at age 65 if 1 of the following applies: • You receive or are eligible to receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
Who determines if Medicare is primary or secondary?
In most cases, if the patient is still employed, the employer's insurance is primary and the Medicare is secondary. If the Medicare-beneficiary spouse of this employee is covered on the same insurance, the spouse would also have Medicare as a secondary payer, whatever the spouse's employment status.
Is it a good idea to get Medicare if you're still working at 65?
If your or your spouse's employer has 20 or more employees and a group health plan, you don't have to sign up for Medicare at 65. But if you get Medicare Part A for free, typically you should sign up. (After all, it's free.) In some cases, Medicare Part A may cover what your employer plan doesn't.
What is the working spouse rule?
The Plan's Working Spouse Rule states that, if your spouse is working for an employer who offers a health plan, the Plan requires them to enroll in that employer-sponsored coverage to be eligible for Plan coverage. Your spouse must confirm whether they have access to and are enrolled in their employer's health plan.
When my husband dies, do I get his Social Security and mine?
You cannot claim your deceased spouse's benefits in addition to your own retirement benefits. Social Security only will pay one—survivor or retirement.
What is the Social Security spousal benefits loophole?
The first exception, which can be deemed as the Social Security spousal benefits loophole, works where an individual who remarries at 60 or later may still be entitled to Social Security survivors' benefits if the second marriage ends before the death of the first spouse.
What is the best Social Security strategy for married couples?
Either spouse can maximize their regular Social Security benefit amount by waiting past their full-retirement age to apply, up to age 70. Benefits generally increase 8% each year filing is delayed.