Spouse’s insurance covers retiree, so no Part B necessary
Hi Terry, I listen to you on WGN and love the content that you cover. I just turned 65 and have signed up for Medicare, but didn’t do B because I am covered on a great insurance plan from my wife’s employer Southwest Airlines. I’ve heard you talk about needing to sign up for supplemental plans. Should I be doing that even tho I have great insurance coverage. Thank you for taking time to respond.
Terry Says
As long as you are covered by your spouse’s great insurance, you should sign up for Part A, which you did — but you don’t have to sign up for Part B until she retires or loses her job. That qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period and you’ll want to sign up immediately then. And I’m assuming her insurance gives prescription drug benefits too — but if not you should sign up for Part D now.
Note: If your spouse worked for a company with fewer than 20 employees, you would need to sign up for Part B and then her insurance would supplement your spousal coverage.
