No, your spouse will not qualify for benefits until he or she reaches 65, with a few exceptions.
Spousal Eligibility Before Age 65
In addition to being either an American citizen or a legal permanent resident of at least five continuous years, your spouse must meet one of the following conditions to qualify for Medicare benefits.
- He or she receives disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board and has been doing so for two years. Your spouse will qualify automatically for Medicare in the 25th month of receiving the disability benefits.
- He or she has end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease).
If your spouse is under 65 and doesn't have insurance through an employer, he or she may be able to purchase it through a private insurance broker until reaching age 65.
