Using Medicare Data to Identify Disabled Individuals Who Are Deceased
Office Affiliation: The Office of Audit
Audit Report Number: A-08-13-13038
Title II of the Social Security Act allows individuals to receive Disability Insurance (DI) benefits if they are fully insured, have not reached retirement age, and are determined to be disabled. The Social Security Act considers an adult disabled if they cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for individuals who are receiving Title II retirement benefits or who have been receiving disability benefits. Generally, after 24 months of DI entitlement, individuals are entitled to hospital insurance (Medicare Part A) and can elect supplemental medical insurance (Medicare Part B).
Our audit determines whether the Social Security Administration could use Medicare non-use data to identify disabled beneficiaries who are receiving benefits but are deceased.