Requesting CMS Data
Identifiable Data Files | CMS Review | Limited Data Sets
Identifiable Data Files
Beginning 12/1/2008, ResDAC will be submitting all data request packets to CMS on the researcher's behalf. For more information on the process, review the data request flowchart.
- New Use Request: Request involves request for new data.
- Reuse Request: Request involves request to reuse data originally released for another purpose.
- Amendment/Update to existing DUA Request: Request involves making a request for additional years of data for the same project.
CMS Review of Research Identifiable Data Requests
CMS's Identifiable Data files may be released by CMS under one of twelve Privacy Act Disclosure Exceptions. Identifiable data used for a health-related research, evaluation, or epidemiologic project fall under the Research Routine Use exception as presented in the Federal Register. For description of RIF data, go to the ResDAC Medicare Data Available website.
The identifiable data requests are reviewed by a CMS Privacy Board. The CMS Privacy Board generally convenes the fourth Thursday of the month. Once emailed, data request packets can be reviewed by ResDAC staff within 5-7 days. However, ResDAC recommends emailing your request materials to ResDAC one month prior to the CMS Privacy Board meeting to allow time for making updates to the documentation, for mailing the packet to CMS, and for the request to be received and assigned for CMS review. For more information on the process, review the data request flowchart.
The data request documentation is required and used by CMS to evaluate whether the data can be released for research purposes. Approval for data release is based on the information contained within this documentation. A list of the criteria used is found on the Criteria for Review of Requests for CMS Research Identifiable Data website.
The data request process varies slightly for requestors from Federal agencies, state government, Congress, or their contractors. For a comprehensive description of the data request process for these entities please see the CMS Type of Requestors website.
Limited Data Set Files
Requests for LDS Data do not require a ResDAC review. ResDAC staff are available to review your data request packet materials for completeness and accuracy prior to their submission to CMS.
- New Use Request: Request involves request for new data.
- Reuse Request: Request involves a request to reuse data originally released for another purpose.
- Update Request: The request involves obtaining additional years of LDS files for the same purpose as previous years under a current DUA.
- Re-release Request: The request involves releasing CMS data to a client. For a definition of re-release, please see the CMS LDS Policy website.
Last Modified September 11, 2009