Research files created by the Medicare & Medicaid Resource Information Center (MedRIC) link HRS data to detailed information about health care utilization from records maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Available Data
Links in this table lead to the data file description on the MedRIC website.
| CMS Research Files | Available Years |
|---|---|
| Parts A & B Research Files | 1991-2018 |
| Denominator (DN) | 1991-1998 |
| Home Health Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Research Files | 1999-2018 |
| Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS) Research Files | 1999-2018 |
| Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF) - Base Segment Files | 1999-2018 |
| Medicaid Analytic Extracts (MAX) and Summary Files | 1999-2012 |
| Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) Research Files | 2013-2018 |
| Part D Drug Event (PDE) Research Files | 2006-2018 |
| Part D Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Files | 2013-2018 |
Encryption Level
For most Medicare and Medicaid files (all except Medicare PDE) researchers may apply for three different levels of data:
-
Level 1: The standard release, which contains enrollment and utilization information but omits geographic identifiers and masks provider identifiers, which should meet the needs of most users
-
Level 2: A geographic release, which adds beneficiary state, county and zip code to the above
-
Level 3: A provider release, which includes complete provider identifiers and geographic information for respondents and providers.
Documentation
-
HRS CMS Data Dictionary, an xlsx file containing the data dictionary for HRS Medicare and Medicaid data files.
-
MedRIC Documentation for HRS Data Requestors (.pdf) describes the summary and claims files.
-
Change Log 2013-2016 MedRIC Research Files (.pdf) identifies changes to Medicare and/or Medicaid variables in MedRIC's Phase 22 research files.
Application Process
The application process for NIA-funded research is changing. See below below for more details.
Unlike other HRS restricted data, the HRS linked CMS data are created and supplied by others. While HRS is your first step in applying for the HRS linked CMS data, you will have additional application processes. If your project is funded by the NIA, you will apply to MedRIC to access the data through the MedRIC Enclave. If your project is not funded by the NIA, you will apply for a CMS DUA through the Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC) before requesting the data from MedRIC.
Application Instructions for NIA-Funded Researchers
Step 1. Submit Application for HRS Restricted Data
- Follow instructions for applying for a Traditional License.
- Select the "MedRIC Enclave" computing environment option on the application form, and include a NIST 800-171 User Tracking Spreadsheet with your application.
- You will be required to supply information from the Restricted CMS Data Products Order Form in your application. Although HRS does not provide the data, this form lets us know which products you are requesting.
The HRS Restricted Data application process involves several steps that must be completed before proceeding to Step 2 below. Upon completion of Step 1, HRS will provide information required in Step 2.
Step 2. Request a MedRIC data licensing agreement
Step 3. Data Access
- You will be contacted by MedRIC staff with the details you need to log in to the MedRIC Enclave.
Application Instructions for Non NIA-Funded Researchers
View a diagram showing an overview of the HRS-CMS Linked Data Application process.
Step 1. Submit Application for HRS Restricted Data
- Follow instructions for applying through a Traditional License.
- Select only "Standalone Workstations" or "Networked Workstation" computing environments.
- You will be required to supply information from the Restricted CMS Data Products Order Form in your application. Although HRS does not provide the data, this form lets us know which products you are requesting.
- Note: University of Michigan researchers who are NOT funded by the NIA can instead apply through the VDI. All others must use the Traditional License.
The HRS Restricted Data application process involves several steps that must be completed before proceeding to Step 2 below. Upon completion of Step 1, HRS will provide information required in Step 2.
Step 2. Submit a ResDAC Research Identifiable Files (RIF) Request Packet to obtain a CMS DUA
- Start your ResDAC application here: ResDAC Research Identifiable Files (RIF) Request Packet
- On the Request Materials Tool page, select "Physical Data" for "Through which source would you like to access the data?" even if you've applied through the VDI.
- Fees may apply. Contact ResDAC for more information.
Step 3. Request a MedRIC data licensing agreement
- After your ResDAC RIF Request Packet is finalized, submit a MedRIC CMS Data Request.
- Fees apply. See MedRIC Fee Structure for details.
Step 4. Data Access
- If you applied through the Traditional License, you will receive data files from MedRIC, and cross-reference files from HRS.
- If you applied through the VDI as a non NIA-funded University of Michigan researcher, you will receive HRS-CMS linked data files from MedRIC. You must supply these data files to the HRS data administrators to be loaded to the MiCDA Enclave. You will then be contacted by HRS staff with the details you need to login to the enclave from your computer through the VDI.