CMS Medicare: Linkage Methods and Analytic Support

Overview

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data Linkage Program links NCHS survey data with data from other agencies. Among those is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), which collects Medicare data. The following reports overview the data sources, methods used for data linkage, and analytic considerations.

2019–2021

• The Linkage of National Center for Health Statistics Survey Data to 2019–2021 Medicare Enrollment and Claims/Encounters Data: Linkage Methodology and Analytic Considerations (12/10/2025)

• Match rate table for NCHS-CMS Medicare files (12/10/2025)

• Sample sizes (unique survey participants) for restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicare files (12/10/2025)

• Sample sizes (linked record counts) for restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicare files (12/10/2025)

2014–2018

• The Linkage of National Center for Health Statistics Surveys to Medicare Enrollment, Claims/Encounters and Assessment Data (2014–2018): Methodology and Analytic Considerations (04/23/2024)
• Match rate table for NCHS-CMS Medicare files
• Sample sizes for restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicare files
• Medicare Advantage enrollment table for NCHS-CMS Medicare files

1999–2013

• The Linkage of National Center for Health Statistics Surveys to Medicare Enrollment and Claims Data (1999-2013): Methodology and Analytic Considerations
• Match rate table for NCHS-CMS Medicare files (02/2023)
• Sample sizes for restricted-use NCHS-CMS Medicare files
• Medicare Advantage enrollment table for NCHS-CMS Medicare files

1991–1998

• Linkage of NCHS Population Health Surveys to Administrative Records from Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services

Resources

• Medicare and You Handbook
• Medicare Program—General Information
• Research Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota