Does Medicare Cover My Spouse? 

Many married couples share expenses and bank accounts as well as other assets and property. A husband or wife may be given the option to add their spouse to their healthcare coverage through an employer or group while working. When it comes to Medicare, however, you’re on your own. Medicare is individual coverage only. You and your spouse must qualify separately for Medicare and enroll in your own individual plans. 

You cannot share your Medicare benefits with your spouse, even if your spouse meets all of the requirements for Medicare. Instead, a Medicare plan only provides benefits to the individual enrolled. This means that only you can use your Medicare benefits for qualifying healthcare services and items. 

Can you share Medicare benefits with your spouse?

You cannot share Medicare benefits with your spouse. In order to utilize Medicare coverage, the person receiving coverage for qualified medical expenses must be the person listed on the plan. If your spouse wants to take advantage of Medicare benefits, they will need to apply for coverage after meeting the eligibility requirements of the program.

If your spouse is approved for Medicare, they will receive their own separate coverage. Additionally, they will be assigned their own Medicare ID number and card. If you and your spouse both have Medicare coverage, you must use your own individual Medicare IDs when using benefits. You cannot use your spouse’s Medicare ID, and they cannot use yours.

Do Medicare benefits transfer upon the death of a Medicare recipient?

Medicare benefits do not transfer to a spouse upon the death of a Medicare recipient. When a Medicare recipient dies, their benefits are no longer valid and cannot be used by anyone else. If your spouse has Medicare under their own name, they can continue to utilize their own benefits like normal.

Can minor children use Medicare benefits?

Like with spouses, minor children are not able to use your Medicare benefits. People under the age of 65 may qualify for Medicare, including minor children, if they have a qualifying medical condition and meet the enrollment criteria.

Does Medicaid offer family or group benefit plans?

Unlike Medicare which is primarily for people 65 years and older (as well as individuals under the age of 65 who have a qualifying disability), Medicaid eligibility is based on your income. If you have limited resources, you may qualify for your state Medicaid program. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program provide free or low-cost coverage to some low-income people.

Who qualifies for Medicare?

Medicare insurance is a healthcare program administered on the federal level by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Each state can decide what insurance products are allowed to be sold within its borders, but Original Medicare benefits are standardized across the country. Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional benefits not found under Original Medicare, but these are separate plans offered by private insurers.

Medicare covers individuals who are age 65 and older in the United States; however, Americans under the age of 65 can sometimes obtain Medicare benefits when diagnosed with certain disabling conditions like end-stage kidney disease.