Can my spouse and I be on the same Medicare plan?

While it is possible to have your spouse covered by your insurance when working, you cannot do the same with Medicare. Both of you will need to enroll individually, but keep in mind that Medicare only offers individual coverage, not family coverage.

Besides, when choosing a Medicare plan, you shouldn’t pick the same plan as your spouse. Here’s why:

You have different specific health needs!

When choosing a Medicare plan, you should always choose a plan based on your medical needs, not your spouse’s. If you choose the same plan as your spouse and have a medical emergency, there’s a chance you could have chosen the wrong type of coverage and may have to pay a lot out-of-pocket. The same could also be true with your spouse.

Eligibility requirements

Your specific healthcare needs matter when choosing which part of Medicare to enroll in. Still, there are specific requirements you must meet to be eligible for enrollment. You can only become eligible for Medicare if you are turning 65, you are younger than 65 but have disabilities, or have End-Stage Renal Disease. If you are eligible for Medicare based on any of these reasons, but your spouse is not, you will both be enrolling for Medicare at different times. This would make enrolling in the same plan pointless because the plan’s coverage and eligibility can change over time. 

If you would like to switch to a different Medicare plan, there are specific enrollment periods where you can do so, such as the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, also known as the Annual Election Period, and lasts from October 15 to December 7 every year.

How to plan for Medicare

Ultimately, choosing the same Medicare plan as your spouse is up to you, but that doesn’t mean it’s advisable. When planning for Medicare, you should understand what each part of Medicare offers, including Medicare Supplement plans, and consider everything from out-of-pocket costs, types of coverage, doctor and hospital choices, and where you can receive coverage if you travel. 

At Bobby Brock Insurance, we help thousands of Medicare beneficiaries all over the United States pick and keep the best Medicare plans suited to their needs. If you need help finding a Medicare plan that’s right for you, give us a call at 662-844-3300. Our experienced brokers are focused on educating you first so you can make an informed decision on your healthcare.