Workshops will help researchers become aware of the strengths and limitations of CMS databases, and how claims-based studies might explore important health care issues.

• Training to researchers through the specifically designed training databases and training modules for Medicare and/or Medicaid studies.
  
  
• Developing and evaluating enhanced CMS databases including training databases and academic courses on the use of administrative data.
  
  

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Workshops

• CMS 101: Introduction to the use of Medicare data for research
  • The next CMS 101 Workshop is scheduled for June 23-25, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.
    Full, register for wait list only.
    
    

• CMS 102: Conducting Research with Medicaid Claims Data
  • ResDAC CMS 102 will be August 14-15, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.
    Registration for this workshop is now OPEN.
    
    

• CMS 105: Using Cost Report Data for Research
  • A new ResDAC workshop, Cost Reports, new dates pending.
    Sign up for the mailing list.
    
    

• CMS 301: Using SEER/Medicare Data for Research
  • ResDAC CMS 301, new dates pending.
    Sign up for the mailing list.

Please contact ResDAC at (612) 626-4247 or beaud005@umn.edu with any questions or comments.

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Course Short Descriptions:

CMS 101: Introduction to the use of Medicare data for research
June 23-25, 2008 - Minneapolis, MN

This workshop will familiarize the audience with the use of Medicare administrative data for research. The course will cover the origin, flow, quality and research applications of Medicare data. After taking the course, attendees will have the background to submit a proposal for research data to CMS and begin data analysis.

click here for full course description

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CMS 102: Conducting Research with Medicaid Claims Data
August 14-15, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN.

This workshop will familiarize attendees with the use of Medicaid administrative data for research. Conducted in a computer-based classroom, the workshop will feature hands-on computer work, small group projects, short lectures and demonstrations, and interactive learning throughout the 2 ½ days. Each student will work individually and in small groups with specially-designed Medicaid data modules developed from real Medicaid data. This workshop is designed for researchers, analysts, and practitioners from any health-related field who are interested in research questions that can be answered using Medicaid claims data. While there are no formal prerequisites for the workshop, attendees will be expected to be comfortable working in a Windows environment, and to have some knowledge of basic statistics or analytic methods. After taking the course, attendees will (1) have the background needed to submit a proposal to CMS for Medicaid claims data, and (2) be able to begin analyzing Medicaid claims data.

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CMS 105: Cost Reports
New dates pending.

This workshop will focus on providing technical training in order to use Medicare cost report data for health services research, market research, or financial analysis. The workshop is designed for individuals that are new to using Medicare cost report information. The workshop format will include lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on computer work. By the end of the day, attendees will have downloaded the Medicare cost reports and created a custom analytical file containing the cost reports and variables necessary to answer each attendee’s specific study questions.

click here for full course description

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CMS 301: Using SEER/Medicare Data for Research
New dates pending.

This course describes the SEER/Medicare database and addresses issues that arise when using SEER/Medicare data rather than standard Medicare data:

• How the claims format differs between the two databases
• Interpreting and using information from SEER sources
• Deciding whether SEER/Medicare is the right database for your project

click here for full course description

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