In panel designs with multiple waves of data collection, the overall survey response rate is a multiplicative function of the wave specific response rates. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component follows this model, requiring five rounds of data collection with the same panel of sampled households, to acquire data on health care use, expenditures, insurance coverage and sources of payment that cover two consecutive calendar years. The survey also provides the necessary data to support analyses that examine the impact of changes in sources of payment and insurance coverage on different economic groups or special populations of interest, such as the poor, elderly families, veterans, the uninsured, and racial and ethnic minorities. This study identifies the characteristics that distinguish survey participants across waves of the survey from those that only participate in initial rounds and then discontinue their survey participation, to inform the specification of nonresponse adjustment strategies in MEPS to correct for survey attrition. The research highlights estimation strategies to support longitudinal analyses in MEPS using data covering a two year time period. Particular attention is directed to the measurement of changes in healthcare insurance coverage, utilization and medical expenditures that characterize the civilian non-institutional population over time. See www.ahrq.meps.gov
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: Conduct longitudinal analyses with MEPS data; Use appropriate statistical techniques that adjust for time dependent data and other survey design complexities; Learn about changes in health insurance coverage and expenditures for the nation over time.
Keywords: Survey, Methodology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ)
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.