Medicaid Analytic eXtract

Medicaid Analytic eXtract
(MAX - successor to SMRF)

Description

The Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) data – formerly known as State Medicaid Research Files (SMRFs) – are a set of person-level data files on Medicaid eligibility, service utilization, and payments. The MAX data are extracted from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS). The MAX development process combines MSIS initial claims, interim claims, voids, and adjustments for a given service into this final action event. Unlike fiscal-based MSIS quarterly files, MAX are annual calendar year files. There are a number of other “value added” enhancements to the MAX data for users, described in greater detail through this link.

Availability

Because MAX data are derived from MSIS, and because it is necessary to allow for the delay between service delivery dates and claims adjudication dates, the availability of MAX data for a particular time period lags behind that of the MSIS data. Since the MAX data contain individually identifiable data, they are protected under the Privacy Act. They are available for approved research activities only through a Data Use Agreement (DUA) with CMS.

Note that only approved academic research projects and certain government agencies are entitled to a DUA to obtain MAX data. For information on applying for a DUA, click here.

Introduction to Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) Data (14 slides)

• PowerPoint (.ppt 350 KB)
• Adobe Acrobat (.pdf 227 KB)

This is a PowerPoint presentation on the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) data that was delivered to the Department of Health and Human Services Data Council in 2003. The presentation should answer a number of basic questions about MAX, in that it:

Presents the source and an overview of MAX data;
Describes five types of MAX data sets;
Explains the need for MAX data;
Reviews a number of MAX data enhancements for:
Eligibility, Service use and payment, and
Linkages to other data sources;
Describes related MAX data products; and
Identifies Medicaid data limitations.

Current Data (1999 and Later)

Archive Data

FAQ (.pdf 29 kb)

Stats and Data Page

If you are seeking further statistical information about CMS programs or populations to use in your research, you will find useful sources here.

Researcher's Home Page

For other information about research findings at CMS, visit the Agency's special home page for researchers.