Sources for Data

Data elements come from a variety of sources including aggregated data from NMQF user agreements such as the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Master Beneficiary Summary files, Carrier files (physician/supplier part B claims), Part D Drug Events, Part D Plan Characteristics, and Part D Formulary Characteristics files.  The information allows observation about health care utilization and costs for Medicare FFS, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid.  No individual patient identities are stored on AWS and no data is displayed in cell sizes of fewer than 11 individual records.   Information can be coupled with commonly utilized federal datasets such as NHANES, BRFSS, MEPS, NHIS.

Other sources can be integrated to meet partners’ needs.   CHDS has developed software and processes to help improve the understanding and availability of analytics for a variety of data sources and through creation of indices and maps.