NCHS Survey Data Linked to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Data Files

Description

NCHS has linked data from various surveys with Medicare program enrollment and health care utilization and expenditure data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Linkage of the NCHS survey participants with the CMS Medicare data provides the opportunity to study changes in health status, health care utilization and costs, and prescription drug use among Medicare enrollees. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

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