Updated National Death Index (NDI) Data Available in the VRDC

CMS is pleased to announce the release of updated National Death Index (NDI) data available in the VRDC. The Medicaid Enrollee Supplemental File (MESF) NDI segment will include data years 1999-2019. The Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF) NDI segment will include data years 1999-2021. The 2021 data is preliminary and will be updated once NCHS finalizes their 2021 data in January 2023.

Please note there has been a policy change regarding CMS’s disclosure of NDI data. This policy change impacts the file availability for the MBSF NDI segment and the MESF NDI segment. NDI data is now only available in the VRDC, and will no longer be shipped to external requesters.