This session will provide an overview of Medicaid claims data, including a comparison of using state Medicaid data vs. HCFA’s State Medicaid Research Files (SMRFs). The file types and key variables will be presented, along with file structure and approaches to analyzing the data. Opportunities for answering relevant research and policy questions will be explored. Presenter will emphasize the strengths of SMRF data for research, especially for cross-state analysis, but will also discuss limitations of SMRF data. Examples will be presented using sample data. Hardware and software requirements for analyzing this data will be presented, as well as strategies for data analysis. Presenter will discuss strategies for overcoming common obstacles or problems, such as discontinuity of client enrollment in longitudinal studies, and will also answer “Frequently Asked Questions” from the ResDAC help line.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session the participant should be able to: 1. Name the five files that contain all the Medicaid claims data in the Standard Medicaid Research Files. 2. Describe the types of variables in each of the 5 files, and give examples. 3. Give examples of types of research questions that might be answered using Medicaid claims data. 4. Describe limitations of the data and caveats for researchers
Keywords: Medicaid, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC) is a HCFA-funded consortium whose purpose is to assist health services researchers in using Medicare and Medicaid claims data effectively
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Financial support is provided in support of the ResDAC help desk, which provides technical assistance to health services researchers.