My husband passed away and now my Medicare premiums went up. Why does losing someone raise your costs?

Question

Steven Bleicher · Accepted Answer

This can be complicated. It has to do with you & your husband's "Adjusted Gross Income" or "AGI" which is taken from your 2-yr. old tax return. If you've earned more than your husband during your respective careers, once he is out of the picture, Medicare only looks at your new and "individual" tax return. The least amount in 2025 for the Part B premium is $185.00 (as an individual filer, that means the "AGI" is $103,000.00 or less; but it can be as much as $594.00 per month if your AGI is $500K or greater). My best advice for you would be to make an appointment with a counselor at your nearest Social Security office to verify that the above example happened to be your case, or not.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Thats not a lot of info to go on but I'm assuming you're talking about a Medicare Supplement.  If you both had your plans at the same supplement company, you would/ may have lost the household discount, that's the first thing that comes to mind.  You can call your carrier and ask.  Supplements can be shopped anytime of the calendar year so you might look into that.  I'm licensed in a lot of states so if you care to you can contact me.  www.medicareinsurance4all.com  
615-506-9024

Norman Smith · Answer

Firstly, I’m sorry for your loss. I understand it’s a hard and confusing times for you. 
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.

David Silver · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/my-husband-passed-away-and-now-my-medicare-premiums-went-up-why-does-losing-someone-raise-your-costs#david-silver

Amy Putrino · Answer

Medicare Part B premiums are calculated using your income from 2 year prior. If you had a higher income and were filing jointly, your income was calculated as such. Now that you are single, the same income is used to calculate, but all towards you as an individual. You should file an appeal, which I can help with.

Answered by Amy Putrino on June 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in RI, CT, FL & 11 other states

Answered by Amy Putrino Medicare Insurance Agent

Renee Brown · Answer

It most generally has to do with the income that you and your spouse had. With the spouse being deceased, it may throw you personally into a higher tax bracket if your income was higher. Your Part B and D monthly premium could go up if that is the case

Answered by Renee Brown on May 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 32 other states

Answered by Renee Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Justin Call · Answer

I believe you are referring to your Part B premium. Usually that cost is based on your income 2 years ago. There are brackets to determine this cost based on your income. If you gained some of your husbands income, but now there is only you filing single instead of two of you filing jointly, your income could be in a different bracket now. 

You can submit a form SSA-44 to have your income reconsidered based on a life changing event.

Jane Ahrens · Answer

You didn't specify which premium you meant.  Your Part B premium (based on 2023 income) is income-based if you are an individual with higher income (above $106K for a single filer). If you are under $106K, your Part B is $185/month.
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.

Diana Garner · Answer

My first question would be, which Medicare premiums are you referencing?  

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.

Barbara Barnes, CMIP® · Answer

Some insurance companies offer a spousal or household discount. When one member of the household passes away, the discount is no longer extended for just the one person left in the home.

Michael Pyers · Answer

If you were both covered by the same insurance plan/company then you would lose your household discount. If you are healthy and can pass health questions on an application, then you may want to shop around with different carriers.

Answered by Michael Pyers on July 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH & MI

Answered by Michael Pyers Medicare Insurance Agent

James Stang · Answer

You would have to be more specific. Medicare Part B premiums can change annually but are individual so that would not be effected by losing your spouse. If you were covered by a Medicare Supplement policy that had a discount for two people in the household being covered, you would lose the discount when your spouse passes.

Answered by James Stang on July 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in OH

Answered by James Stang Medicare Insurance Agent

Cindy Clonts · Answer

You may have had a household discount with a Medicare Supplement. When that person passes away, you no longer qualify for the discount unless another adult is living with you. Different companies have different age requirements. Some are 18 and some require a 50+ year old to live with you.

Answered by Cindy Clonts on June 17, 2025

Agent Licensed in GA, AL, CA & 9 other states

Answered by Cindy Clonts Medicare Insurance Agent

Tammie Rutledge · Answer

It is possible you lost a spouse discount if you had a Medicare Supplement plan.

Fred Manas · Answer

It's understandable to feel frustrated & confused when your Medicare premiums increase after the passing of your husband. Here's why this might happen:
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.

Gary Henderson · Answer

It depends on what premiums you're talking about 
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.

Andrew Kramer · Answer

With the loss of your husband, you are now filing a single tax return, not joint. If your income is above a certain bracket, you need to pay the IRMAA. The income bracket for a single filer is lower than the bracket for a joint, married filer, hence you are paying the IRMAA. The IRMAA is the increased Medicare Part B and Part D premiums you must pay when your income is higher than the basic bracket.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on June 6, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Karen Ansell · Answer

The main reason for this is that Medicare has income limits for couples, that will effect your Medicare premiums. If one passes away you are now under the single income which can effect your premium.

David Christian · Answer

Your Medicare premiums might have increased after your husband's passing due to the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). This surcharge, which affects Parts B and D, is based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two years prior, and the loss of your husband's income or benefits can shift you into a higher income bracket, triggering the surcharge.

Answered by David Christian on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA & TX

Answered by David Christian Medicare Insurance Agent

Wild Bill Anderson · Answer

Some plans give couple discounts. We will be sure you maximize all discounts when your spouse passes away. There are usually many plans and companies to choose from . With 11 different companies and over 65 plans to choose from, you will maximize your plan as we work with you to get you the best value.

Answered by Wild Bill Anderson on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA

Answered by Wild Bill Anderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Rick Balistreri · Answer

This could happen if you were both on a Medicare plan with the same company. A lot of companies offer a discount when two people in the same household are enrolled with the same company. The discounts can range from 5% to 15%.

Answered by Rick Balistreri on May 13, 2025

Agent Licensed in MO, AZ, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Rick Balistreri Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Rowe · Answer

Medicare supplement plans or Medigap plans have discounts for living with a spouse or living with an adult (depending on carrier) on them which can’t get taken away at the time of death or during a plan change and move.

Answered by Robert Rowe on May 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in MI

Answered by Robert Rowe Medicare Insurance Agent

Darko Bozic · Answer

Your Medicare premium (Part B) should not go up because of your husband's death. Neither should your Medicare Advantage plan's premium. Only Medicare Supplement plans can have their premiums go up after a spouse dies if both spouses had the same plan and were receiveing a family discount. I cannot give a definite answer without taking a look at your situation and what type of plan you have.

Answered by Darko Bozic on April 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Darko Bozic Medicare Insurance Agent

My husband passed away and now my Medicare premiums went up. Why does losing someone raise your costs?

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My husband passed away and now my Medicare premiums went up. Why does losing someone raise your costs?

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