CMS is pleased to announce the availability of updated 2019 Medicare Advantage (Part C) Encounter data. In June 2021, CMS released a “Preliminary” version of the 2019 Medicare Advantage (MA) Encounter RIFs to give researchers earlier access to Encounter data for this service year. The Preliminary 2019 RIF data was not fully mature because Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) were still submitting encounter records for that service year to CMS. Today's 2019 MA Encounter research file release contains fully mature data, which includes at least 12 months of runout for each service month.
These files were created from data submitted to CMS by Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) for services provided to beneficiaries under the Medicare Part C benefit during calendar year 2019. The MA Encounter files include data for six (6) settings: Inpatient (IP), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Home Health (HH), Institutional Outpatient (OP), Carrier and Durable Medical Equipment (DME). An MA Encounter Data User Guide, providing guidance on the use of the files, is available.