Medicare isn’t just for the retired workers. If you are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident for at least five years and meet eligibility requirements, then you can get Medicare.
Eligibility requirements are:
- You must be 65 years old or older
- You are under 65 years old with a qualifying disability
- You have End-Stage Renal Disease, which is permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
In short, your non-working spouse can get Medicare if he or she is eligible. However, we want to go into this in more detail.
As a working person, you pay Medicare taxes through payroll deductions. If you work and pay taxes for at least 10 years, you qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A coverage, which is hospital insurance, when you turn 65 years old. When and if you qualify, your non-working spouse can qualify based on your work record when he/she turns 65 years old, as well. You both will qualify for Medicare Part B, which is medical insurance. For Part B, you both must pay a premium monthly.
When you turn 65, you should enroll in Medicare, whether or not you are still working. If your spouse turns 65 after you, he/she will need other health insurance in the meantime, whether it’s through your employer or through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If your non-working spouse turns 65 before you, he/she can qualify for Medicare on your work record even if you’re not on Medicare or Social Security yourself, but you must be at least 62 years old.
If your spouse is older and covered by your employer’s health insurance, he/she may want to enroll in the premium-free Medicare Part A until you retire. Medicare Part B can be added later with no penalty as long as your employer coverage is credible.
If your spouse is more than three years older than you, he/she can buy Medicare Part A until you turn 62 and the premium-free benefits begin.
To avoid penalties, aim to enroll in Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan) during your individual initial enrollment period. If you have other drug coverage, you must enroll in Part D within 63 days of your other coverage ending to avoid a penalty.
At Thomas & Associates, our certified agent brokers can help you through the Medicare process, as we know some of the above information can be overwhelming and confusing.
Apply for Medicare in Florida
Don’t hesitate! Get Medicare when you turn 65. There’s a process to applying for Medicare, and our brokers can help you apply at the right time and way.
At Thomas & Associates, we have years of experience helping people find and apply for the right Medicare insurance plan. We will help you choose a plan that covers the services you need. We can work with you before you’re ready to use the program to let you know how and when you are eligible. Our certified agent brokers at Thomas & Associates insurance agency in Jacksonville, Florida, will help you select a Medicare insurance plan that is best suited to medical needs and finances.
Let us help you find the right Medicare plan. Contact us for more information and to get a quote today! To work with our agents, click our Jacksonville Medicare insurance contact page or call 904-730-3900 .