Enhancing Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Data

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant In the andquot Enhancing Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Dataandquot project Acumen LLC aims to expand the overall capabilities of researchers to use survey linked Medicare claims data Currently the process for obtaining approval from the Centers for Medicare andamp Medicaid Services CMS to access these files entails significant paperwork and delays which imposes a substantial burden on researchers To facilitate access to high quality data Acumen will create survey linked Medicare claims level files that meet CMSandapos s expedited DUA process requirements This process allows researchers to forego components of the standard procedures required to obtain data with personally identifiable information PII The Limited Data Set LDS files currently available under the expedited process however have significant shortcomings Specifically the LDS files encrypt mask or omit a large number of data elements Further the variable do not contain sufficient information to permit linking to survey data stratified analyses or the study of geographic variation among other research purposes By creating more detailed survey linked claim level files available through the expedited process Acumen will not only reduce the demand for PII data thus enhancing beneficiary confidentiality but also will allow more researchers to access detailed CMS data To create these enhanced survey linked Medicare files Acumen will leverage our existing Medicare Medicaid Research Information Center MedRIC MedRIC is Acumenandapos s established mechanism for creating and distributing survey data linked to various CMS administrative files To meet researcher demand and CMS regulations Acumen will closely collaborate with NIA surveys and the CMS to accomplish the following Phase I aims Review CMS data structure and variable encryption criteria for the expedited DUA process Design candidate data structures that comply with the CMS expedited DUA regulations Consult with NIA surveys to refine candidate data structures Secure CMS approval for finalized data structure Establish a design for a data request process with NIA surveys and CMS Determine additional computer infrastructure needed for data storage and extraction In Phase II of this Fast Track application Acumen will build the data file designed in Phase I create documentation begin data distribution and obtain user feedback The creation of these files aims to shift research communityandapos s data use paradigm by improving researcher access to CMS data while enhancing beneficiary confidentiality protections Currently researchers who wish to acquire detailed Medicare administrative data must undergo a lengthy application process to access this information Under the andquot Enhancing the Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Dataandquot project Acumen will create enhanced Medicare files linked to NIA survey data that i researchers will be able to access through an existing expedited acquisition process and ii will better protect beneficiary confidentiality by reducing the demand for CMS data containing personally identifiable information By facilitating access to high quality data Acumen aims to improve the quality of healthcare research currently conducted across a wide range of research disciplines