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Defining a Research Question
Date Recorded
This video describes CMS' definition of research and explains how to describe a study in the form of a research question because that is a requirement for data release.
Geographic Variation in Medicare Spending
Date Recorded
This presentation reviews the importance of understanding the factors contributing to geographic variation in Medicare spending.
Specifically, objectives include:
- Reviewing how Medicare adjusts reimbursement levels by geographic region, teaching affiliations, etc.
- Understanding the importance of readjusting cost estimates so that high costs represent differences in intensity of services rather than differences in Medicare reimbursement levels and/or health status
Medicaid Analytic Extract Files
Date Recorded
This presentation will review the source of the data that is used to build the CMS Medicaid Analytic Extract files (MAX), which are the files released when CMS approves a research project requiring Medicaid data. The sources include state Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) data and Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) data. By understanding the data source files, researchers can understand some of the limitations and correct implementation of MAX data for research.