Medicare for married people
If you are married, you and your spouse’s [1] coverage might not begin at the same time. Medicare is an individual plan, there is no room for a family plan. However, you may be eligible for Medicare services based on your spouse’s work history. Even if you are not working or not eligible to register on your own.
You must each register for Medicare separately (since you and your spouse’s coverage may not start at the same time). One of you may be able to create an account before the other, depending on your age.
However, your premium plan might change because of your total income. There are no family plans or special rates for couples in Medicare. You are each required to pay the same premium amount that other individuals pay.
There are different plans and the cost of each of the plans differ from one another. Here are some things you should know about costs;
- Medicare Part A [2]: It covers hospital care. There is no monthly cost for people who have worked in the past or have a spouse who has worked and is eligible for social security. However, the other plans and parts of Medicare have premium benefits.
- Medicare Part B: For this plan, there is coverage for outcare medical treatments. The premium benefits depend solely on how much you and your spouse earn together. In 2023, most people will pay the standard cost of premium benefits which is $164.90 per month. The higher you earn each year, the higher you will be able to pay each month for Medicare.
- Part C (Medicare advantage) [3]: In this plan, you and your spouse will have your own premium, deductible, and copayments. Even if you have the same plan, this is true. This type of plan is the kind of plan offered by a private insurance company to provide you with all your Medicare part A and part B services. You may also 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. Also, you may be required to use the plan’s network of healthcare providers. You can only register for a Medicare advantage plan when you first become eligible for Medicare, that is, a seven-month period that begins three months (3 months) before you click 65 years, including the month of your birthday, and ends three months (3 months) after your birthday) or during the annual open enrolment period, usually from Oct.15 to Dec.7 each year.
- Medicare Part D: For this plan, it covers your prescription drugs. Although, the plans vary and the premium benefits vary also. In this case, even if you and your spouse pick the same plan, you’ll each have to meet the deductible before Medicare starts to pay any bill towards your health care treatments. Thus, you can only enroll in a Medicare part D plan when you first become eligible for Medicare or during the annual opening enrollment period, usually from Oct.15 to Dec. 7 every year.