THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 26, 2024 Page 19 Say nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller What You Need to Know About Medicare Spouse Coverage Dear Savvy Senior, Are spouses who have not worked outside the home eligible for Medicare benefi ts? I have worked most of my adult life, but my wife has been a mother and homemaker since we got married and hasn’t held an income-producing job since she was in college. Will she be eligible for Medicare? Searching Spouse Dear Searching, There are many couples in your situation when it comes to applying for Medicare. The answer generally is yes, your spouse can qualify for Medicare on your work record. Here’s how it works. Medicare Requirements Medicare, the government health insurance program for older adults, covers around 60 million Americans age 65 and older, as well as those younger that have a qualifying disability or have End-Stage Renal Disease. To be eligible, you must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A hospital coverage when you turn 65. If you qualify, then your non-working spouse will qualify too, based on your work record when she turns 65. Divorced spouses are also eligible if they were married at least 10 years and are single, as are surviving spouses who are single and who were married for at least nine months before their spouse died. In addition to Part A, both you and your spouse would also qualify for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor’s visits and other outpatient services, but requires a monthly premium. The premium for Part B benefi ciaries in 2024 is $174.70 per month per person. Couples fi ling jointly with incomes over $206,000 per year pay even more. There are also a number of other caveats you should know about depending on your wife’s age. Older Spouses If your wife is older than you, she can qualify for Medicare on your work record at age 65, even if you’re not getting Medicare yourself, but you must be at least 62 years old. You also must have been married for at least one year for your wife to apply for Medicare on your work record. If you are still working and your wife is covered by your employer’s health insurance, she may want to enroll only in the premium-free Medicare Part A until you retire, or your employer coverage ends. Part B – along with its premium – can be added later without penalty as long as your employer’s group health plan is your “primary coverage.” Check with your employers’ human resources department to fi nd out about this. (Note: If your wife is funding a health savings account, she may not want to take Part A because she can’t make contributions after she enrolls). Younger Spouses If your wife is younger than you, she will need health insurance until she turns 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare. This may be through the Health Insurance Marketplace (see healthcare.gov), or if you’re still working, through COBRA (see dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra). Other Medicare Choices In addition to Medicare Part A and B, when you and your wife become Medicare eligible, each of you will also need to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan if you don’t have credible drug coverage from your employer or union. And, you may want to purchase a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy too, to help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Or, you may want to consider an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan. For more information on Medicare choices and enrollment rules visit Medicare.gov or call 800-6334227. You can also get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see shiphelp.org), which provides free Medicare counseling. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior OBITUARIES Alfred Smith Hoover J anuar y 15, 2024, age 95 of Everett. For 72 years the cherished husband of Catherine M. (Canty) Hoover. Beloved father of Stephen and his wife Patricia of Everett, Ellen Mosher of Amesbury, Joan Callahan of Danvers. Devoted Grandfather of Nolan, Timothy and Brendan Hoover, Nicholas, Michael, William, Julie Mosher and her fi ancé, Stephen Blatancic, Kyle and Liam Callahan, great-grandfather of Adalyn Hoover. Predeceased by parents, Henry and Catherine, sisters Rosemary Machunski, Katherine Kumm, Theresa Gardiner and brothers Henry, Robert and James. Born in Brighton, Al grew up in Mission Hill and Auburndale. Al was a graduate of St. John’s Prep and Suff olk University and a longtime employee of State Street Corporation. For years he was actively involved in Immaculate Conception Parish in Everett where he served as the treasurer of the St. Vincent DePaul Society for over forty years, He also served as an usher and was a former President of the Holy Name Society. Al enjoyed spending time at his Mountain View Cottage on Sunset Lake. He was an avid reader and loved solving crossword puzzles and answering Jeopardy questions. Al and Kay enjoyed many trips over the years with their close group friends. A devoted family man, Al looked forward to family gatherings and spending time with his siblings, children, nieces, nephews and later in life with his grandchildren. He will be missed. In lieu of fl owers please make a donation in his name to: The Society of St. Vincent De Paul Boston, 18 Canton Street, Stoughton, MA 02072 or The American Heart Association, 93 Worcester Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or the charity of your choice. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Al’s Visiting Hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.), EVERETT, Sunday, January 21, from 2 to 5 p.m. His Funeral will be from the funeral home, Monday, at 10 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in the Immaculate Conception Church, 487 Broadway, Everett, at 11 a.m. U.S. Army Military Honors will be presented at the end of Mass. Interment private. Parking with attendants on duty. Eveline Delle Donne O f Ev - er ett . Passed away on January 17, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Delfino Delle Donne. Loving Mother of Franco and his wife Deborah Delle Donne and Salvatore Delle Donne. Adored Grandmother Franco Delle Donne. Cherished daughter of the late Julia (Tirelli) and Vincenzo Gentile. Evelina, born in Caserta, Italy, in 1929, moved to the United States in 1955 with her family, eventually establishing residence in the North End of Boston for a period of 15 years. In 1969, she relocated to Everett, where she took delight in cultivating flowers and vegetables in her garden. Additionally, she enjoyed frequenting casinos to engage in slot machine games, as well as showcasing her culinary skills through cooking and baking for family and friends, she hosted gatherings on Christmas Eve for several decades. Eveline was very kind, caring and generous. Funeral from the Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett on Friday, January 26th. Visitation will be held at 8:30 am at the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Anthony Church 38 Oakes St., Everett at 10:00 am. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden. Rose Rita (Aversa) Montalbano O f Everett, entered into eternal rest t home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, January 18, 2024. She was 101 years old. Born in Chelsea, Rose was a lifelong resident of Everett. She was very active parishioner of her beloved church, Our Lady of Grace. Rose served faithfully as a Eucharistic ~ Help Wanted ~ Now Hiring Deli Clerks & Deli Manager Flexible Hours - We will work with the right candidates! Positive Attitude and Enthusiastic Customer Service a must. Apply online or ask for Joe or Mary at the Store. McKINNON’S EVERETT - 620 Broadway, Everett Scan Cell Phone Here For More Information! Minister and was an active member of the Socialites. Beloved wife of the late Jack J. Montalbano. Dear and devoted mother of Paul and his wife, Maria, Leonard and his wife, Nancy, and John. Sister of the late Albert, Peter and Charles Aversa. Rose is also survived by her loving grandchildren: John Montalbano and his wife, Seri, Michelle Mercurio and her husband, Doug, Laura Akana and her husband, Steve, Diana Erickson and her husband, Ted, Melissa Gutierrez and her husband, Stephen, Stephanie Smith and her husband, Andy and the late Vanessa Montalbano and her 15 loving great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Rose’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Friday, January 26 from 4-7 p.m. Her funeral will be from the funeral home on Saturday at 8 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in Blessed Mother of the Morning Star Parish, Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St. Chelsea at 9 a.m. Services will conclude with Rose being laid to rest with her beloved husband, Jack and her loving granddaughter, Vanessa at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of fl owers, contributions in Rose’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 would be sincerely appreciated. Parking with attendants on duty.
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