Medicare after a spouse dies: what changes and what to do first

• Tell Social Security about the death, if the funeral home has not already.
• If you were covered by your spouse's employer plan, ask the plan how long coverage lasts and what you can do next. Losing that coverage can open a special enrollment period.
• If you were not yet on Medicare, ask whether you can use your spouse's work record to qualify for premium-free Part A.

Medicare costs for higher incomes are based on income from earlier years. After a spouse dies, your tax filing status can change, and in some cases you can ask Social Security to use your new situation instead.

A supplement or Advantage plan you share with a spouse is usually individual, so yours continues, but it is a good time to check that it still fits.

• Your Medicare card
• Your plan or supplement card
• Information about any coverage through your spouse's job
• Your spouse's Social Security number if you have it

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• Retiree health coverage and Medicare: check before you change anything
• Medicare costs for higher incomes: what the income adjustment is and how to appeal