Getting a divorce can have a dramatic impact on your finances, much the same way the death of a spouse can impact your retirement plans, but both of these can also impact your Colorado Medicare eligibility.  In a recent article published on by a Colorado health insurance broker at HealthQuotes.com, the author explores what happens to Medicare benefits after a divorce, separation, remarriage or the death of spouse.  As if Medicare eligibility wasn’t confusing enough already, the guidelines for these decision are far more complicated.

If you already work with a health insurance broker for your Colorado Medicare supplemental insurance, it might be worth checking in with them to to learn more about this topic.  While many of the basic questions can be answered by looking at their website – Medicare.gov – it is important to understand the intricacies of these changes and how they may affect your family in the future. In the recently redesigned web portal at Medicare.gov, the agency provides a handy Medicare Eligibility Tool, which consists of a questionnaire to help you determine your status.  The Social Security Office can also be helpful in providing information.

For a quicker reference, read “Can a Divorce Impact Your Colorado Medicare Eligibility?” or see the overview below.

Divorce complicates matters of Colorado Medicare eligibility. In order to get coverage, you and your eligible ex must have been married for at least 10 year.  In order to maintain this eligibility, you must also remain unmarried or wait until after age 60 to get married again.  A former spouse must also be eligible to receive less than half of the Medicare recipient’s Social Security stipend.

Married people are the easiest to figure out.  As long as you’ve been married for at least one year, one eligible spouse means the other spouse automatically has coverage.

Widows and widowers may see a change in their Medicare eligibility too.  In order to get spousal Medicare benefits after the death of a spouse, one must have been married for at least nine months and remain single.

If you’re still confused about Colorado Medicare eligibility, speak with a knowledgeable Colorado Springs health insurance broker who can help you with supplemental coverage or a non-Medicare individual health plan.

Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO.  If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.

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