Types of Data Files

Household Component

Variable Locators
Several hundred variables are released on the various MEPS public use data files. Two documents organize these variables by concept, analysis level, and file number. Variables that are only available at the person level (e.g., conditions, demographics, etc.) are summarized and listed on the MEPS HC Data Items for Full-Year and Point-in-Time Files. Other variables are available only at the event level (e.g., characteristics of event) and can be found similarly organized on the HC Data Items for Event Files.

Household Component Full-Year Files
A series of calendar-specific MEPS public use data files (PUFs) are produced annually. Each of these files include full-year information from several rounds of data collection, which together comprise a complete calendar year's worth of information for a person. Full-year data files vary in structure depending on the nature of file content and include data at the person level, condition level, and job level. In person-level files, each record on the file represents the person. A person-level file record includes characteristics such as age, race, or sex associated with each person. In condition-level files, each record represents a household-reported health condition reported by a particular person. In job-level files, each record represents a job and includes characteristics such as wages, benefits, and industry of the job.

Household Component Event Files
In event-level files, each record represents a unique household reported medical event. These files include characteristics associated with that event. MEPS releases eight specific event files: dental, emergency room, home health, hospital stays, medical visits, outpatient stays, other medical, and prescribed medicines.

Household Component Point-in-Time Files
MEPS also releases point-in-time files, which produce a snapshot of what is going on at a fixed point in time. For MEPS files, point-in-time is the first part of the calendar year. These files contain minimum data elements at the person level and are intended to give analysts an early glimpse of what the full-year estimates will likely be.

Household Component—National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Link Files
The sample for the MEPS Household Component Survey is derived from the NHIS. As a result, MEPS Household Component data files can be linked to the HIS. This link file is available upon request.

Nursing Home Component

Nursing Home Component Facility-Level Files
The 1996 MEPS Nursing Home Component Facility-Level Files include data from nursing home facilities (retirement centers, hospitals, etc.). Variables pertaining to the characteristics of the facility include information on the facility's structure; the number of beds by licensing and certification categories; ownership and chain affiliation; number of residents; special care units by type, size, and residents; staffing; services routinely provided by trained providers to residents, nonresidents on-site and nonresidents off-site; physician practice information; and whether the facility vaccinated residents for pneumonia and influenza. Note: Due to confidentiality restrictions, this data is only available through the CFACT Data Center; however, file documentation is available. 

Nursing Home Component Person Characteristics Files
At the person (nursing home resident) level, variables describing characteristics of nursing home residents including demographics, health status, insurance coverage, and medical conditions are available. Users should note that due to confidentiality restrictions, this data is only available through AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access and Cost Trends (CFACT) Data Center; however, file documentation is available.