Technical Entitlement
This is a topic I had learned about many times. I had seen it happen from afar or noticed it as something that happened before I worked with a person. I even had Ron Konkol from Social Security tell me fascinating stories about how Technical Entitlement can cause problems for people’s Medicare records. So, when I first saw it on a Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) and then saw it with someone I am providing technical assistance to, I thought, sure, “This is pretty straight forward.”
What is Technical Entitlement?
First, let’s explain what Technical Entitlement is. It’s when someone is entitled to Title II benefits on someone else’s record like a Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB). The trick is that the person doesn’t get a payment. They get Medicare after the 24-month waiting period. They could not get a payment because the person’s record they would draw from doesn’t have a high enough Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). They could also not get a payment because they are entitled to another record and the payment is higher on the other record and is keeping them from drawing from two records. Confusing, right?
No Loss of Payment
Maybe you are as intrigued as I am at this point in the story, but there is EVEN MORE! People who have Technical Entitlement can use Trial Work Period months, have a Cessation month from performing Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), and the whole nine yards. This isn’t too big of a deal because the person doesn’t have a loss of payment.
Ask Your Work Incentive Liaison
It can be confusing when you look at a BPQY when there is Technical Entitlement, so just ask your Work Incentive Liaison (WIL) for clarification if you have questions. Also, know that when someone changes records of entitlement – maybe they transfer to a different parent’s record or become entitled on their own record – there can be some hiccups with their Medicare Savings Program if they are eligible.