NCHS-CMS Medicare linkage, 2014-2018

This repo contains documentation and information for the NCHS-CMS Medicare data linkage. More info can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data-linkage/medicare.htm

Data sources:

• CMS
  • Medicare enrollment
  • FFS claims
  • Prescription drug events
  • Patient assessments
  • 2016-2018 MA encounter data
• NHIS
• NHANES
• NHANES III
• NNHS

Medicare data files

The following Medicare data files are available:

• Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF)
• Standard Analytic Files (SAFs)
  • FFS - final action health care claims
    • Inpatient; SNF; Outpatient; Carrier; HHA; DME; Hospice
  • Medicare advantage - claims submitted by MAOs
    • Inpatient; SNF; Outpatient; Carrier; HHA; DME
• Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR)
  • Hospitalization and SNF stays covered by FFS Medicare
• Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Events
• Home Health Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS)
• Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS)

Master Beneficiary Summary File components

• Base A/B/C/D segment: includes individual-level contextual info such as linkage ID, DOB, Medicare coverage start date, and geocodes
• Chronic Conditions segment: occurrence and timing of chronic conditions
• Cost and utilization segment: payment info
• Prescription drug event (PDE) claims: prescription drug coverage and type