The Medicare Carrier (Encounter) file includes Medicare Advantage plan records for professional providers, including physicians, physician assistants, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners.
Records for some organizational providers are also found in the Carrier (Encounter) file. Examples include independent clinical laboratories, ambulance providers, freestanding ambulatory surgical centers and freestanding radiology centers.
Researchers rarely use this file alone.
This file includes (variable highlights):
- Part C Benefit Package and Contract number
- Diagnosis (ICD diagnosis)
- HCPCS code
- Date of service (line date)
- NPI for line rendering physician
- No payment information
Special considerations:
- Many Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra coverage in addition to services covered under traditional fee-for-service Medicare (e.g., vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs). Encounter data may include records for some of these additional items and services provided under the plan.
