The Effect of Medicare Eligibility on Spousal Insurance Coverage

Authors

Marcus O. Dillender, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment ResearchFollow
Karen Mulligan, Middle Tennessee State University

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Series

Upjohn Institute working paper ; 15-216

**Published Version**

In Health Economics 25(5): 591-605

DOI

10.17848/wp15-216

Abstract

A majority of married couples in the United States take advantage of the fact that employers often provide health insurance coverage to spouses. When the older spouses become eligible for Medicare, however, many of them can no longer provide their younger spouses with coverage. In this paper, we study how spousal eligibility for Medicare affects the health insurance and health care access of the younger spouse. We find spousal eligibility for Medicare results in the younger spouse having worse insurance coverage and reduced access to health care services.

Issue Date

January 2015

Subject Areas

LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Wages, health insurance and other benefits; Health insurance