When your spouse earns Medicare coverage, you will also be entitled to Medicare hospital insurance, when you turn 65. You can receive hospital insurance at age 65, even if your spouse is younger than you and continues working, as long as he or she is at least 62, and will qualify for benefits upon retirement. At age 65, both you and your spouse will also have the option of purchasing Medicare part b (medical insurance), for a monthly premium. Special conditions may apply, if you are a disabled widow or widower between 50 and 65; or if you, your spouse, or your dependent child has permanent kidney failure. In these cases, you can sometimes qualify for Medicare benefits before you reach age 65. However, the rules may vary from one year to the next. For more details on how you can qualify for Medicare coverage through your spouse, contact social security. Call their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213; or visit their website, at www.ssa.gov.
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