NCHS Data Linkage

Restricted-Use NCHS-SSA Data

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NCHS survey data have been linked to five SSA Administrative Data Files: the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) file, the Supplemental Security Record file (SSR), the Payment History Update System (PHUS) file, the 831 Disability Master File (831) and a special extract of summarized quarters of coverage (QOC) from the Master Earnings File.

Detailed descriptions of each of these administrative data files can be found in the following NCHS report:

Golden C, Driscoll AK, Simon AE, et al. Linkage of NCHS population health surveys to administrative records from Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 1(58). 2015.  [PDF – 1.4 MB]

 

Data Access

Due to confidentiality requirements, the Restricted-use NCHS-SSA Files are accessible only through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC). All interested researchers must submit a research proposal to the RDC. Please see the RDC web site for instructions on submitting a proposal (RDC website).

NCHS has created Feasibility Study Data files to assist researchers who are considering submitting an RDC application to analyze the linked NCHS-SSA data. Please consult the Public-Use NCHS-SSA Feasibility Files page for more information.

 

Data Dictionary