Restricted-Use NCHS-CMS Medicare Data

NCHS survey data have been linked to Medicare data files containing information on  program enrollment status, Fee-For-Service health care claims and Medicare Advantage patient encounters, prescription drug events data, and clinical assessments for patients residing in nursing homes or receiving home health care services.

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

NCHS-CMS Medicare Linkage: 2014-2018

• The Linkage of National Center for Health Statistics Surveys to Medicare Enrollment, Claims/Encounters, Prescription Drugs, and Assessment Data (2014-2018): Methodology and Analytic Considerations 

NCHS-CMS Medicare Linkage: 1999-2013

• The Linkage of National Center for Health Statistics Surveys to Medicare Enrollment and Claims Data (1999-2013): Methodology and Analytic Considerations

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 website for instructions on submitting a proposal.

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 Dictionaries

NCHS-CMS Medicare linked data (2014-2018)

NCHS-CMS Medicare linked data (1999-2013)

Variable Lists

NCHS-CMS Medicare linked data (2014-2018)

• Restricted-Use NCHS-CMS Medicare (2014-2018) Files – List of Variables [PDF – 963 KB]

NCHS-CMS Medicare linked data (1999-2013)

• Restricted-Use NCHS-CMS Medicare (1999-2013) Files – List of Variables