Linking the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) to Identifiable Data

Purpose

Occasionally researchers need to obtain identifiable data for MCBS participants, including claims data outside MCBS participation (i.e. before or after the individual participates in the MCBS). This article provides a brief overview of that process.

Current Version Date:
10/20/2016
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Background

Both modules of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) come standard with Medicare claims data. The claims data included with the MCBS are for beneficiaries found in the module requested and are claims for the year of the file. 
Historical/future claims for current participants or claims for past participants are not included in the standard release. Occasionally researchers need to obtain identifiable data for MCBS participants, such as the Vital Status file to get up to date death information.

Request Process

The MCBS data is considered to be a Limited Data Set (LDS). Requests for LDS data require fewer request materials and do not require a CMS Privacy Board review. If a researcher is requesting MCBS in combination with identifiable data, then the whole request becomes an identifiable (RIF) data request. The study must meet the criteria for an identifiable data request and the researcher will need to submit the documentation for identifiable data rather than a MCBS-only request. The documents required for an identifiable data request can be found on the ResDAC website.

Logistics for the Linkage

Researchers requesting to link the MCBS data to identifiable data distributed by the Chronic Condition Warehouse (CCW) contractor will need to request a “BASE ID to BENE ID crosswalk.” The BASE ID is the unique identifier in the MCBS and the BENE ID is the unique identifier in the CCW data. The MCBS cannot be linked to LDS claims data distributed by CMS.

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Article Information

Author:
Molly Emerick, MPH
Acknowledgements:
ResDAC would like to acknowledge Erin Mann for assistance with this article
Level:
Introduction
Topic:
Request Process
Program:
Medicare
Category:
Medicare Fee-For-Service Claims, Survey
Disclaimer:
The process and materials mentioned as part of this KnowledgeBase article are current, as of the publication date on the article, to the best of our knowledge. The examples provided are correct in the aggregate but may not apply to every subgroup or circumstance that a researcher may wish to study. It is up to the researcher to conduct analysis and confirm that the patterns described in this KnowledgeBase article apply to his/her particular study. If your research findings appear to contradict the advice provided, please contact ResDAC at resdac@umn.edu.