CMS 101: Introduction to the use of Medicare Data for Research
Basic Workshop in Medicare Administrative Data
Presented by the Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC)*:
The goal of the ResDAC is to assist the CMS in increasing the number of new researchers skilled in accessing and using CMS data for studies. This will improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs and add value to current CMS activities. ResDAC faculty and research staff have extensive knowledge of many research applications using CMS data, as well as data limitations and assumptions. ResDAC faculty and research staff also have experience with the content of CMS data files, CMS Privacy Act requirements, CMS data release practices and policies, and charge for data.
Presented at the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN.
Workshop Design and Goals:
This workshop will familiarize the audience with the use of Medicare administrative data for research. The workshop design is highly interactive and requires the registrant to have some basic computer experience. It is designed for individuals who have some research background (basic epidemiological/statistical concepts and interpretation such as numerator, denominator, rates, correlation, p-values) and some experience with health services (either clinical or research) but who have little or no hands-on experience using Medicare data. The course will cover the origin, flow, quality and research applications of Medicare data. After taking the course, attendees will have the background to submit a proposal for research data to CMS and begin data analysis.
Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:
- Understand the basic structure and content of the Medicare program: entitlement, enrollment, benefits and coverage.
- Know how billing data are generated and moved into the CMS administrative data system, and how this affects the quality of specific data elements.
- Be familiar with the various data files CMS provides for research and the potential uses of these files for research.
- Be able to use CMS administrative data from MedPAR, and the Physician/Supplier Part B files for observational studies.
- Be able to use Medicare enrollment and Denominator File information for defining study populations, identifying target populations, and calculating rates.
- Understand how to order data from CMS: selecting files, developing a sample selection protocol that can be submitted to CMS, and completing a Data Use Agreement (DUA).
- Be able to get data received from CMS into a format that can be analyzed, and confirm that appropriate data were received.
* Supported by CMS contract HHSM-500-2005-00027I; Linh Kennell, Project Officer
Workshop Faculty:
A. Marshall McBean, M.D., M.Sc.,
Professor
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Division of Division of Health Policy & Management
Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Division of Division of Health Policy & Management
Barbara Frank, M.S.
Technical Adviser
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Division of Division of Health Policy & Management
The closest hotel, less than 1 block, is the Radisson University Hotel - Minneapolis. Workshop attendees can ask for University rates. It is located at 615 Washington Avenue S.E., Minneapolis Minnesota 55414.
The Depot - Minneapolis, 225 Third Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55401 is another hotel that offers University rates.
Computer Requirements:
Laptop computer with
- CD/DVD drive
- Wireless Internet Connection
For questions about our workshops, please contact beaud005@umn.edu
Last Modified September 28, 2009