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 |
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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 | 1991-2018 |
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:
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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
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Level 2: A geographic release, which adds beneficiary state, county and zip code to the above
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Level 3: A provider release, which includes complete provider identifiers and geographic information for respondents and providers.
Documentation
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HRS CMS Data Dictionary, an xlsx file containing the data dictionary for HRS Medicare and Medicaid data files.
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MedRIC Documentation for HRS Data Requestors (.pdf) describes the summary and claims files.
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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
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 and will access the data through the MedRIC Health & Aging Data (HaAD) Enclave. Upon HRS approval you will submit your request for HRS-CMS linked claims to MedRIC.
Step 1. Submit Application for HRS Restricted Data
- Follow instructions for applying for a Traditional License.
- Select the "MedRIC HaAD Enclave" computing environment option on the application form, and include a HRS-RDA 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 HaAD Enclave.