SP
Life Situation

Spouse Coverage

Covering a spouse who isn't yet 65.

Medicare covers individuals, not families. If your spouse is under 65 and relies on your employer plan, plan carefully before you switch to Medicare.

Key points

  • Your spouse can't join Medicare based on your enrollment — they must qualify on their own.
  • If you drop employer coverage, your spouse loses it too.
  • Options for a younger spouse include COBRA, an ACA marketplace plan, or their own employer's plan.

Next steps

Related topics

Educational only. This information is not personalized advice. For your specific situation, verify at Medicare.gov or speak with a licensed Medicare professional.