NCHS Survey Data Linked to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MAX Data

Description

NCHS has linked various surveys with the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) files collected from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Linkage of the NCHS survey participants with the CMS Medicaid MAX data provides the opportunity to study changes in health status, health care utilization and expenditures in low-income families with children and the elderly U.S. populations.

Data Access

Where to apply

https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/

Fees

NCHS management, access and other fees apply. https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/application-process/fees-and-invoicing.html

Access modality

Public Use File available

Public-use version

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data-linkage/index.htm

Summary of differences

The restricted-use file may include lower-level geography and select variables not available on the public-use file due to possible disclosure risk. Most restricted-use geographic NCHS variables can only be used to merge external data or to categorize geographic areas with similar characteristics. Researchers should not estimate regions smaller than the specific survey's sample design would support, even when smaller levels of geography are available.

Geography differs from restricted-use file (RUF)

Variable detail differs from Restricted Use File (RUF)

Yes