My husband passed away and now my Medicare premiums went up. Why does losing someone raise your costs?
Answered by 23 licensed agents
Answered by Steven Bleicher on April 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
615-506-9024
Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown on July 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AL, CO & 10 other states
One has nothing to do with the other though in this scenario. Currently most all companies are seeing increases for their policyholders. I would ask your agent or carrier directly what they correspond the increase costs to.
Answered by Norman Smith on May 13, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL & PA
Answered by David Silver on May 20, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, NJ & NV
Answered by Amy Putrino on June 28, 2025
Agent Licensed in RI, CT, FL & 11 other states
Answered by Renee Brown on May 12, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 32 other states
You can submit a form SSA-44 to have your income reconsidered based on a life changing event.
Answered by Justin Call on July 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in UT, ID, MT & WY
If you are talking about a Medicare Supplement premium, it's possible that you were receiving a household discount on the monthly premium which would be gone now.
It's impossible to say without knowing what premiums you mean.
Answered by Jane Ahrens on July 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in NY, AL, AZ & 16 other states
If you are talking about Medicare Supplement plan premiums, those premiums could have increased for a couple of reasons:
1) After your spouse passed away, you may have lost your household discount
2) Med Sup premiums generally increase each year around the policy anniversary, so it could be time for renewal. You can shop around for better rates.
Your Medicare Part B or D premiums may have increased due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) and the change in your tax filing status. These premiums are based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from the 2 prior years. When a spouse passes away, the tax filing status changes to single, and the income threshold for IRMAA is lower for individuals, which causes premiums to increase.
Answered by Diana Garner on July 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in KY, FL, IN, OH & TN
Answered by Barbara Barnes, CMIP® on April 17, 2025
Agent Licensed in PA
Answered by Michael Pyers on July 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH & MI
Answered by James Stang on July 15, 2025
Agent Licensed in OH
Answered by Cindy Clonts on June 17, 2025
Agent Licensed in GA, AL, CA & 9 other states
Answered by Tammie Rutledge on April 1, 2025
Broker Licensed in WA, AZ, FL & ID, MT, OR & TX
Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA): Your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are determined, in part, by your income. After your husband's death, your income may change, potentially shifting you into a different income bracket & affecting your Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA).
Change in Tax Filing Status: When your husband passed away, your tax filing status changed from "married filing jointly" to "single" in the year following his death. This can impact your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which is used to calculate your IRMAA.
Income Thresholds: There are different income thresholds for single filers versus those married filing jointly, & the loss of your husband's income might put you above the threshold for the higher IRMAA, even if your income decreased overall.
Loss of Spousal Discounts: If you had a Medicare Supplement plan & were receiving a spousal discount, this discount would no longer apply after your husband's passing, leading to an increase in your premium.
Increased Healthcare Needs: A study published in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that spousal death can lead to increased healthcare costs & usage for the surviving spouse, which may influence your Medicare premiums in some ways.
What you can do:
Contact Social Security: You can contact the Social Security Administration to discuss your situation & see if your new income level might qualify you for a reduced IRMAA.
Appeal IRMAA: You can appeal your IRMAA determination if you believe it is incorrect.
Review Your Medicare Plan: It's important to review your current Medicare coverage & consider your options.
Consult a Financial Advisor: A financial advisor specializing in retirement planning can help you understand how losing your husband might impact your Medicare costs & guide you.
Answered by Fred Manas on June 10, 2025
Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states
If you're talking about your Medicare supplement plan premiums, if you had a discount because you both had the same policy with the same company that would eliminate that and raise it somewhat but not too much
So again, I would need to understand your situation. If you'd like to talk about it give me a call.
Answered by Gary Henderson on April 10, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states
Answered by Andrew Kramer on June 6, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Answered by Karen Ansell on April 22, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, GA, KY & OH
Answered by David Christian on April 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA & TX
Answered by Wild Bill Anderson on April 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA
Answered by Rick Balistreri on May 13, 2025
Agent Licensed in MO, AZ, FL & 7 other states
Answered by Robert Rowe on May 15, 2025
Broker Licensed in MI
Answered by Darko Bozic on April 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH
Tags: Advice for Seniors The Medicare System
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