Most health plans allow for family coverage, however Medicare isn’t like most health plans. Therefore your children and spouse cannot enroll in your Medicare plan. But, the Affordable Care Act says that all children up to 26 can stay on their parents’ plan -you might be thinking. But Medicare doesn’t fall into that category. Let us explain.

Medicare Does Not Offer Family Insurance

Period. Medicare is a program that offers individual coverage for those over 65. So for those of you who started a family later in life, your children will just have to go out and a get a job, because you cannot put them on your coverage. May not be such a thing, eh? Well, what about Medigap or Medicare Advantage? We’ll get to that. Remember that you pay into Medicare your whole life and it is meant just for you.

Can your Family Enroll on your Medigap or MA plan?

Unfortunately not. The same rules apply to these.

Medigap is supplemental insurance to fill in the gaps of Medicare

    • , so therefore you wouldn’t be able to extend this to your family.

Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare

    , so once again, a no go.

Health Options for Your Children and Spouse

Your children and spouse have a few options:

  • You can enroll them in one of the new health plans known as the ACA Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans*
  • Enroll them in an off-Exchange plan
  • Enroll them in Medicaid if they qualify
  • If they are under 18 you can enroll them in CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) regardless of your financial status

*There may be premium subsidies to help with monthly payment and/or cost-sharing subsidies to help with copays and deductibles if they qualify.

To enroll in a Medigap, Medicare Advantage plan, or to learn more about plans for your family call us at 800-930-7956 or contact Senior65.com.