Restricted-Use NCHS-CMS Medicare Data

NCHS survey data have been linked to Medicare data containing information on the enrollment status, health care utilization and expenditures of Medicare beneficiaries. Each file contains information collected by Medicare to pay for health care services provided to a Medicare beneficiary.

Descriptions of the Medicare files that have been linked to NCHS survey data can be found in the following online report: [Forthcoming]

Data Access

Due to confidentiality requirements, the Restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicare Data are accessible only through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC). All interested researchers must submit a research proposal to the RDC. Please see the RDC web site for instructions on submitting a proposal (RDC website).

NCHS has created Feasibility Study Data files to assist researchers who are considering submitting an RDC application to analyze the linked NCHS-CMS Medicare data. Please consult the Public-Use NCHS-CMS Medicare Feasibility Files page for more information.

Restricted Use Data Dictionaries:

• Medicare Enrollment and Claims Files
  • Master Beneficiary Summary Files 
    • Part A/B segment [PDF - 146 KB] [CSV - 19 KB]
    • Part D segment [PDF - 185 KB] [CSV - 44 KB]
    • Chronic Conditions segment [PDF – 153 KB] [CSV -22 KB]
    • Cost and Utilization segment [PDF – 134 KB] [CSV - 6 KB]
  • Carrier
    • Base claims [ PDF - 145 ] [CSV - 14 KB]
    • Line items [PDF - 181 KB] [CSV - 44 KB]
  • Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
    • Base claims [PDF - 144 KB] [CSV - 20 KB]
    • Line items [PDF - 169 KB] [CSV - 35 KB]
  • Home Health Agency (HHA)
    • Base claim file  [PDF - 176 KB] [CSV - 32 KB]
    • Condition code file [PDF - 150 KB] [CSV - 27 KB]
    • Occurrence code file [PDF - 123 KB ] [CSV - 140 KB]
    • Span code file [PDF - 115 KB] [CSV - 1.8 KB]
    • Value code file  [PDF -  129 KB] [CSV - 12 KB]
    • Revenue Center file  [PDF - 134 KB] [CSV - 11 KB]
  • Hospice
    • Base claim file [PDF - 172 KB] [CSV - 28 KB]
    • Condition code file [PDF - 146 KB] [CSV - 24 KB]
    • Occurrence code file [PDF - 122 KB] [CSV - 8 KB]
    • Span code file [PDF - 115 KB] [CSV - 1.8 KB]
    • Value code file [PDF - 121 KB] [CSV - 6 KB]
    • Revenue Center file [PDF - 125 KB] [CSV - 6 KB] 
  • Outpatient
    • Base claim file [PDF - 209 KB] [CSV - 45 KB]
    • Condition code file [PDF -152 KB] [CSV - 27 KB]
    • Occurrence code file [PDF - 127 KB] [CSV - 12 KB]
    • Span code file [PDF - 114 KB] [CSV - 1.5 KB]
    • Value code file [PDF - 135 KB] [CSV - 20 KB]
    • Revenue Center file [PDF -181 KB] [CSV - 43 KB]
  • Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) File [PDF - 254  KB] [CSV - 66 KB]
  • Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Event File [PDF - 133 KB] [CSV - 6.8 KB]

Variable List:

• Restricted-USE NCHS-CMS Medicare Files - List of Variables  [PDF - 437 KB]