Identifying cohabiting couples in administrative data: evidence from Medicare address data

TitleIdentifying cohabiting couples in administrative data: evidence from Medicare address data
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsMatta, S, Hsu, JW, Iwashyna, TJ, Baum, MY, Langa, KM, Nicholas, LHersch
JournalHealth Services and Outcomes Research Methodology
Volume21
Issue2
Pagination238-247
ISBN Number1572-9400
KeywordsCohabitation, Couples, Marriage, Medicare
Abstract

Marital status is recognized as an important social determinant of health, income, and social support, but is rarely available in administrative data. We assessed the feasibility of using exact address data and zip code history to identify cohabiting couples using the 2018 Medicare Vital Status file and ZIP codes in the 2011–2014 Master Beneficiary Summary Files. Medicare beneficiaries meeting our algorithm displayed characteristics consistent with assortative mating and resembled known married couples in the Health and Retirement Study linked to Medicare claims. Address information represents a promising strategy for identifying cohabiting couples in administrative data including healthcare claims and other data types.

DOI10.1007/s10742-020-00229-1
Citation Key11216
PubMed ID34149307
PubMed Central IDPMC8210751