National Hospital Care Survey (NHCS) linked to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) 2014-2018 Medicare Data

Description

Through its data linkage program, NCHS has been able to expand the analytic utility of the data collected from the National Hospital Care Survey (NHCS) by augmenting it with 2014-2018 administrative data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Medicare program. Linkage of NHCS data with the CMS Medicare Data provides the opportunity to conduct a vast array of studies on health care utilization and expenditures among the elderly U.S. population and persons receiving Medicare disability benefits.

Data Access

Where to Apply

https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/

Fees

NCHS management, access and other fees apply. https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/application-process/fees-and-invoicing.html

Access Modality

Is a Public-Use Version (PUF) Available?

Public Version URL

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data-linkage/index.htm

Summary of Differences

The restricted-use file may include lower-level geography and select variables not available on the public-use file due to possible disclosure risk. Most restricted-use geographic NCHS variables can only be used to merge external data or to categorize geographic areas with similar characteristics. Researchers should not estimate regions smaller than the specific survey's sample design would support, even when smaller levels of geography are available.

Does Geography Differ from Public Version?

Does Level of Variable Detail Differ from Public Version?

Yes