The good news is, yes—Medicare does cover non-working spouses.
But there are conditions and details you need to know to avoid unexpected costs.
Whether you’re married, divorced, or widowed, it’s important to understand how your spouse’s work history will impact your Medicare eligibility.
This guide breaks it all down so you can feel confident about your healthcare options in retirement.
Let’s dive into the details and clear up any confusion about Medicare for non-working spouses.
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Medicare for Non-Working Spouse: Eligibility and Costs for 2025
Medicare is available to almost any U.S. citizen who has maintained citizenship for at least five years.
If you’re a non-working spouse without a work history of your own, you may need to pay a premium for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance).
To avoid this premium, either you or your spouse must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters, which equals ten years. These 40 quarters don’t have to be consecutive to qualify.
If you or your spouse meet this requirement, both of you can qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A once you turn 65.
In addition to Part A, you and your spouse can also enroll in Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services. Part B does require a monthly premium, which is $185.00 per person in 2025.
If you file taxes jointly and have an income over $212,000 per year, you’ll pay an additional surcharge under IRMAA rules.
This way, even if you don’t have a personal work history, Medicare can still cover you based on your spouse’s eligibility.
Divorced Spouses
Divorced spouses may qualify for Medicare benefits based on their former spouse’s work history if they meet specific criteria:
- Duration of marriage: The marriage must have lasted at least 10 years.
- Current marital status: The individual must be currently unmarried.
- Age requirement: The individual must be at least 65 years old to qualify for Medicare.
If these conditions are met, a divorced spouse can access Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) without a premium, utilizing their ex-spouse’s work record.
It’s important to note that remarriage generally disqualifies an individual from using a former spouse’s work history for Medicare eligibility.
Widows and Widowers
Single widows and widowers can qualify for Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse’s work history if the marriage lasted at least nine months.
Note: Your status as widowed or divorced does not affect your eligibility for the Medicare program in general. But depending on your circumstances, it could affect whether you qualify for premium-free Part A benefits.
Enrollment Considerations
The same initial enrollment period and general enrollment periods that apply to the working spouse also apply to the non-working spouse.
The initial enrollment period starts the first day of the month three months prior to the non-working spouse’s birth month. It extends through the birth month, and up until the last day of the third month following the birth month.
Example: You are a non-working spouse who was born in April. Your initial enrollment eligibility period for Medicare starts on January 1st, and ends on July 31st.
Unless you maintain creditable coverage via an employer or other plan in the interim, you may face late enrollment penalties for Part D and Part C.
Joining Medigap, Medicare Advantage, or Medi-Share 65+ as a Non-Working Spouse
Most people don’t just join Medicare Parts A and B and be done with it.
In practice, nearly everyone needs and opts to enroll in some additional protection, via Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C), or the lesser known but powerful and affordable Medi-Share 65+ health sharing plan.
Each of these are private plans that help you pay out-of-pocket expenses you would otherwise have to pay under Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) alone. These include deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Medigap and Medicare Advantage are private insurance companies. Medi-Share 65+ is also private, but it’s a health sharing organization, not an insurance company.
You can enroll in any of these plans, even as a non-working spouse with no work history, provided you qualify for Medicare Part A and Part B.
Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage
While most Medicare Advantage plans feature a prescription drug benefit embedded in their plans, Medigap and Medi-Share 65+ don’t include prescription drug coverage at all.
It’s a good idea to purchase a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan as soon as you are eligible and sign up for Part B, if you don’t maintain creditable coverage from another plan.
Non-working spouses can enroll in Part D, regardless of their divorced or widowed status. However, again, you may need to pay a late enrollment penalty if you wait too long to enroll.
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Need a hand?
If you need a case analysis and recommendation about medicare for non-working spouses, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our expert Personal Benefits Managers.
The process is easy and straightforward and there is no charge.
We can go over your situation and see if you or your non-working spouse is likely to qualify for benefits based on the working spouse’s history.
So if you’re not sure if you or your spouse will qualify, we can at least provide you peace of mind.
For Further Reading:
FAQ
Can a non-working spouse get Medicare if their working spouse hasn’t turned 65 yet?
No, a non-working spouse cannot get Medicare based on their spouse’s work history until they turn 65 themselves. However, if they meet the eligibility criteria based on their own or their spouse’s work history, they can enroll once they reach the qualifying age.
Do non-working spouses qualify for Medicare before age 65 if they are disabled?
Yes. If a non-working spouse has a disability and meets the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) requirements, they can qualify for Medicare before age 65, typically after a 24-month waiting period.
Does remarriage affect my Medicare eligibility as a divorced spouse?
Yes. If you remarry, you typically lose the ability to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A based on your former spouse’s work history. However, you can still qualify through your new spouse’s work history if applicable.
What happens if I delay enrolling in Medicare Part B or Part D?
If you delay enrolling in Medicare Part B or Part D and don’t have other creditable coverage, you may face late enrollment penalties. The Part B penalty is 10% of the standard premium for each 12-month period you delay enrollment. The Part D penalty is 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each month you delay.
Can I enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan as a non-working spouse?
Yes. If you qualify for Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a Medigap plan regardless of your work history. Medigap helps cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Tom Lockwood is a Personal Benefits Manager at MediGap Advisors. Tom has a passion for bringing clarity to those confused about Medicare. He is an authority on Medicare, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D prescription drug plans. Read more about Tom on his Bio page.