Not necessarily. Everyone must qualify individually, enrollment is not based on family or dependent status.
The following individuals do not automatically qualify for Medicare:
- A person younger than age 65 will not receive Medicare when his or her spouse turns 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare. The younger spouse must wait until he or she reaches age 65.
- A dependent child who has one or both parents that receive Medicare will not receive Medicare for him or herself.
An exception is for the family members of a patient of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who is receiving Medicare. In some circumstances, the spouse or dependent children may be eligible for Medicare benefits.
For further questions, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY users 1-877-486-2048).
