Medicare Zip Code to Carrier Locality File

Purpose

Researchers and data users who are working with CMS files may need to map zip code information to CMS carriers and localities. This article describes where to find current and historical versions of the file.

Current Version Date:

07/14/2017

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CMS produces a "Zip Code to Carrier Locality File" that is available for download from the CMS Fee Schedules – General Information website. For each zip code, the file will include carrier numbers, locality numbers, and state codes. The file will also include an indicator for urban, rural or a low density (qualified) area. The CMS website only maintains the most recent version of the file.

Historical versions of the file may be found on www.archive.org. To search for a specific year:

Insert the specific URL (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/FeeScheduleGenInfo/index.html) into the search box.
The results returned all of the dates in which this specific URL was captured.
- A search performed on 6/30/17 found the website was captured, including the zipped files, several times back to 2011.

See article: Using Internet Archive to Find Historical Documents and Downloadable Data Files for more information about how to use Internet Archive.

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Article Information

Author:

Faith Asper, MHS, CIPP/G

Level:

Introduction

Topic:

Analytic Guidance

Program:

Medicare

Category:

Medicare Fee-For-Service Claims

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.