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This variable is contained in the following files:
SAS Name
SAMPLE_GROUP
This variable indicates if the beneficiary is part of a random 1, 5, 15, or 20 percent sample of Medicare beneficiaries that the CCW creates using standard CMS processes. All associated encounter records for the sampled beneficiaries are identified in the encounter files.
| Code | Code value |
|---|---|
| 01 | Beneficiary included in the 1 percent sample for the year |
| 04 | Beneficiary included in the 4 percent sample for the year |
| 15 | Beneficiary included in the 15 percent sample for the year |
| Null/missing | Beneficiary not included in any sample group for the year |
To use the random 5 percent sample, users must combine the 1 and 4 percent samples (i.e., specify that SAMPLE_GROUP can equal “01” or “04”). To use the 20 percent sample, users must combine the 1, 4, and 15 percent samples (i.e., specify that SAMPLE_GROUP can equal “01”, “04”, or “15”).
Beneficiaries are assigned to sample groups each year based on the last two digits of their Medicare Claim Account Numbers (CANs).
Source: CCW