Getting Medicare after divorce: What you need to know

Let's be realdivorce is hard. It's emotional, messy, and more often than not, it throws your entire life into question. One of those big questions? Health insurance. Especially if you're getting close to 65 and wondering, "Wait do I even qualify for Medicare now?"

I get it. You might have spent years covered under your spouse's plan. Maybe you weren't the primary earner. Maybe you stayed home raising kids while they worked. And now the relationship is over. So where does that leave you?

Here's something you might not know: you can still get Medicare after divorceeven if you didn't work a day in your life. Yep, really. If your ex-spouse paid into Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, and you were married for a decade or more, you could be sitting on a golden ticket: premium-free Part A.

I know it sounds almost too good to be true. But it's not. And no, you don't need their permission. You don't need them to be alive. And no, you don't have to stay single foreverthough that does come with trade-offs.

Let's walk through this togetherstep by stepso you can feel confident, informed, and ready to take control of your health coverage.

Can you qualify?

Short answer: yes.

Divorce doesn't erase your path to Medicare. In fact, Medicare doesn't even care why you're divorced. What it does care about is whether you meet the criteriaand sometimes, that includes your ex's work history.

First, the basics: To qualify for Medicare, you need to be either:

• 65 or older,
• Under 65 but receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or
• Living with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

You also need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for at least five years straight.

But here's the big one: if you didn't work enough to earn 40 "quarters" of Medicare-covered employment (that's 10 years), you might still qualify through your former spouse.

There's just a few hoops to jump through:

1. Your marriage lasted at least 10 years
2. You are currently unmarried
3. Your ex is at least 62 years old and eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits

And before you ask: no, it doesn't matter if your ex is already getting benefits. They just need to be eligible.

Real-life example

Take Janet, for instance. She was married for 18 years to a schoolteacher who worked every single day for 35 years. Janet stayed home with their kids, never paid into Social Security, and honestly? She never gave Medicare a second thoughtuntil she turned 65.

She called Social Security, nervous she'd have to pay thousands just to get basic hospital coverage. But because her ex had more than 40 quarters and they'd been married over a decade, guess what? She qualified for premium-free Part A.

Now, she pays the standard Part B premiumaround $185 a month in 2025and added a Part D plan for her prescriptions. But the hospital insurance? Free. And she didn't have to talk to her ex once to make it happen.

All she needed was her marriage license, divorce decree, and her ex's Social Security number. That's it.

Can you get Medicare through a former spouse?

Here's a common misconception: people think Medicare works like family health insurance. It doesn't. You can't "join" your ex's plan. Medicare is individual. Buthere's the magic wordyou can claim benefits based on their work history.

Think of it like this: their 40-year work record becomes part of your eligibility story. You're not using their insurance. You're using their contribution to the system.

To get premium-free Part A through your ex, you need:

• 10+ years of marriage
• To be currently single
• To be 65 or older (or disabled and on SSDI)
• Your ex to have at least 40 quarters of Medicare-covered work

And againthis isn't a favor. It's a rule written into the system. You earned this by staying in that marriage for a decade. You're not asking for handouts. You're claiming what you're owed.

What if they didn't work enough?

Honestly? That happens. Not everyone has a 30-year career with steady income. If your ex didn't work 10 years (40 quarters), you might still qualify for Part Abut you'll probably pay a premium.

Here's how it breaks down for 2025:

Quarters of Coverage by Ex-Spouse	Your Monthly Part A Premium (2025)
40+ (10+ years)	$0 (premium-free)
3039	$285
<30	$518

These numbers come from Medicare's official cost guidelines, and they change slightly each year. But the takeaway is clear: the closer your ex got to 40 quarters, the less you'll pay.

What about after they pass?

This one tugs at the heart, but it's important: if your ex has passed away, you can still qualify as a "divorced surviving spouse." In fact, sometimes the rules are a little easier.

For example, widowed individuals only need a 9-month marriage to claim premium-free Part Abut that rule doesn't apply to divorce. So if you're still married when your spouse dies, that's different.

But for divorced folks? The 10-year rule stands firm. 9 years and 11 months? It doesn't count. It's a hard line, but it is what it is.

Medicare costs after divorce

Let's talk moneybecause that's usually what keeps us up at night.

Being divorced doesn't change the listed prices of Medicare. But it can absolutely change what you end up payingespecially when it comes to Part B.

Do you pay for Part A?

Only if your ex didn't hit those 40 quartersor if you don't meet the 10-year marriage rule.

If you do? Then Part A is free. No income test. No surprises. But "free" doesn't mean zero-cost care. In 2025, you're still looking at a $1,676 deductible per benefit period for inpatient hospital stays. After that, coinsurance kicks in.

So yes, your premiums might be $0. But your out-of-pocket costs? Still real.

How divorce affects Part B

Now here's where things get tricky. Part B covers doctor visits, lab tests, outpatient carethe stuff you use most.

In 2025, the standard premium is $185 a month. Butbig "but"if your income is higher, you could pay a lot more.

Why? Because Medicare uses something called IRMAAIncome-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. And guess what it uses? Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years ago.

So if you divorced in 2023 and your income dropped in 2024say, alimony ended or assets were splityou won't see that reflected until 2026.

And here's the kicker: if you're now filing as a single taxpayer, you hit IRMAA thresholds much faster than if you filed jointly.

Take a look:

Income (MAGI)	Monthly Part B Cost
$103,000	$185
$103,001 $129,000	$259
$129,001 $154,900	$369
$154,901 $180,900	$518
> $180,900	$570+

See how quickly it jumps? I've had clients call me in disbeliefnot because their income skyrocketed, but because their filing status changed.

The good news? You can appeal. If your income dropped due to divorce, death, or job loss, fill out Form SSA-44 and send it to Social Security. They might lower your premium.

Part D and Medigap

Part D covers prescriptions. Medigap helps with gaps in coveragelike copays and deductibles.

Part D premiums also use IRMAA, so high-income earners pay more. Medigap? That's private insurance, so prices vary. But here's a pro tip: your best shot at affordable Medigap is during your 6-month open enrollment periodstarting the month you turn 65 and sign up for Part B.

Wait too long? Insurers can deny you or charge higher rates. Don't let that happen.

Losing coverage? You have protection

One of the most stressful parts of divorce? Losing health insurance.

If you were on your spouse's employer plan, that ends when the marriage doesunless it's a retiree plan, sometimes that can continue, but not always.

But here's the good news: you get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). And this is a big deal.

What is an SEP?

An SEP is a window8 full monthsstarting the month after your spouse's coverage ends. During this time, you can sign up for Part B without late penalties.

Miss it? You could face a 10% penalty on Part B for every year you delay. Forever. That's not a typo.

Who qualifies?

You do, if:

• You were on your spouse's employer or retiree plan
• The plan has 20+ employees (that's what makes it "creditable")
• You're 65 or older (or disabled)
• And your coverage ends due to divorce

To prove your coverage, get Form CMS-L564 from your ex's HR department. Then, apply through Social Securityonline, by phone, or in person.

And keep a copy of the termination letter. Trust me, you'll want it.

Under 65 and divorced?

Most people don't qualify for Medicare before 65unless they're disabled.

If you're getting SSDI, you'll automatically qualify after 24 months. Being divorced doesn't speed that up. Sorry.

But if you're under 65 and need coverage? Don't panic. You've got options:

• COBRA: Lets you stay on your ex's plan for up to 36 months. But you'll pay 100% of the premiumplus up to 2% admin fee. Ouch.
• ACA Marketplace: Open enrollment runs November to January. But losing coverage due to divorce counts as a qualifying life eventyou can enroll any time.
• Medicaid: If your income is low, you might qualify, no matter your age.
• Employer coverage: If you go back to work, that's often the easiest route.

And yesdivorce qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period on the Marketplace too. So act fast.

Remarriage and Medicare

This is where a lot of people get tripped up. So pay attention.

Does remarriage cancel benefits?

Yes. In most cases.

If you remarry, you lose eligibility for premium-free Part A based on your former spouse's record.

Butand this is a big butyou may now qualify based on your new spouse's work history, as long as:

• They have 40+ quarters of work
• And you've been married at least one year

It's like upgrading your eligibility path.

Special case: Remarrying after 60

Now, here's an interesting twist: if your ex passed away and you remarry after age 60, you can still keep benefits based on the deceased spouse's record.

Butimportantthis doesn't apply to divorce. Only to widowhood.

So if you remarried at 62 after a 15-year divorce? Sorry. That divorced spouse benefits are gone.

Myths about Medicare

Let's clear the air on some big misconceptions.

You can't use their card

Medicare isn't like a family plan. You can't hop on your ex's card. You need your own. Always.

No permission needed

You don't need your ex to sign anything. You don't even need to tell them. Just have the documents: marriage license, divorce decree, their SSN.

9 years and 11 months doesn't count

I've seen this break hearts. But the rule is strict. It's 10 yearsno rounding up.

Their income doesn't affect you

Your premiums are based on your tax returns. Not theirs. So if they're wealthy, great for thembut it won't raise your costs.

Final thoughts

Look, divorce is hard enough. You don't need confusing Medicare rules making it worse.

But here's the truth: you're not starting from zero. Even if you didn't work, even if the marriage ended, you may still have a strong path to Medicare.

The key things to remember?

• You can get premium-free Part A if you were married 10+ years and are now single.
• You must apply yourselfno one else will do it for you.
• Losing coverage? You get an 8-month SEP to enroll in Part B penalty-free.
• Remarriage usually ends ex-spouse benefitsbut opens new ones.
• And yes, you'll likely pay for Part B, Part D, and extra coverage.

If you're close to 65, going through a breakup, and unsure what's nextdon't wait. Call Social Security. Bring your documents. Ask questions.

It might feel awkward. It might take time. But getting this right? That's how you protect your health, your wallet, and your peace of mind.

And if you're still unsure? Reach out to a local Medicare counselor. Many offer free, one-on-one help. No sales pitch. Just support.

Because you deserve to feel confident about your coverage. Not stressed. Not scared. Just taken care of.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.