
Restricted-Use NCHS-CMS Medicaid Data
NCHS survey data have been linked to the research-oriented Medicaid files known as the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) files. The MAX files include data for enrollees in Medicaid and in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The MAX data system consists of a person summary (PS) file and four claims files: inpatient (IP), institutional long-term care (LT), prescription drugs (RX) and other services (OT).
Detailed descriptions of each of these files can be found in the following online report:
NCHS-CMS Medicaid Matching Methodology and Analytic Considerations pdf icon[PDF – 785 KB]
Data Access
Due to confidentiality requirements, the Restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicaid 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 website 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 Medicaid data.
Please consult the Public-Use NCHS-CMS Medicaid Feasibility Files page for more information.
Restricted Use Data Dictionaries:
- NCHS created variables pdf icon[PDF – 82 KB]
- Person Summary (PS) File pdf icon[PDF – 653 KB]
- Inpatient (IP) File pdf icon[PDF – 461 KB]
- Long-term Care (LT) File pdf icon[PDF – 444 KB]
- Prescription Drug (RX) File pdf icon[PDF – 457 KB]
- Other Services (OT) File pdf icon[PDF – 457 KB]