CMS Medicare: Restricted-Use

NCHS Linked Data

Key points

  • The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data Linkage Program links NCHS survey data with data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
  • Linking NCHS data with CMS Medicare data files enables researchers to study changes in health and health care.
  • Find a list of data dictionaries and resources for restricted-use data.
Image shows two swarms of dots, one purple and one green. Each swarm represents a data stream. They are converging.

Overview

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data Linkage Program provides restricted-use data files. Restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicare Data can be accessed only through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC) network.

Files linked to Medicare data files contain the following information—

  • Program enrollment status
  • Fee-for-service healthcare claims
  • Medicare Advantage patient encounters
  • Prescription drug events data
  • Clinical assessments for patients residing in nursing homes or receiving home health care services

Access restricted-use data

The RDC provides instructions for preparing and submitting an application to access restricted data.

2014–2018

Master beneficiary summary

Medicare Part D prescription drug event/drug characteristics

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Event/Drug Characteristics File (01/26/2022)

Medicare provider analysis and review (MedPAR)

Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) File (01/26/2022)

Carrier

Durable medical equipment (DME)

Home health agency (HHA)

Hospice

Inpatient

Outpatient

Skilled nursing facility (SNF)

Carrier

DME

HHA

Inpatient

Outpatient

SNF

Home health outcome and assessment information set (OASIS)

Long-term care minimum data set (MDS)


1999–2013

Master beneficiary summary

Medicare Part D prescription drug event/drug characteristics

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Event File (02/02/2017)

MedPAR

Medicare Provider Analysis and Review File (02/02/2017)

Carrier

DME

HHA

Hospice

Outpatient