MEPS HC-113: 2007 Full Year Consolidated Data File
November 2009
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 427-1406
Table of Contents
A. Data Use Agreement
B. Background
1.0 Household Component
2.0 Medical Provider Component
3.0 Survey Management and Data Collection
C. Technical and Programming Information
1.0 General Information
2.0 Data File Information
2.1 Codebook Structure
2.2 Reserved Codes
2.3 Codebook Format
2.4 Variable Naming
2.5 File Contents
2.5.1 Survey Administration Variables (DUID-RURSLT53)
2.5.2 Navigating the MEPS Data with Information on Person
Disposition Status
2.5.3 Demographic Variables (AGE31X-DAPID53X)
2.5.4 Income and Tax Filing Variables (SSIDIS07-OTHIMP07)
2.5.4.1 Income Top-Coding
2.5.4.2 Poverty Status
2.5.5 Person-Level Condition Variables (RTHLTH31-ASWNFL53)
2.5.5.1 Perceived Health Status
2.5.5.2 Priority Condition Variables
2.5.6 Health Status Variables (IADLHP31-DSPRX53)
2.5.6.1 IADL and ADL Limitations
2.5.6.2 Functional and Activity Limitations
2.5.6.3 Vision Problems
2.5.6.4 Hearing Problems
2.5.6.5 Any Limitation Rounds 3, 4, and 5 (Panel 11) / Rounds
1, 2, and 3 (Panel 12)
2.5.6.6 Child Health and Preventive Care
2.5.6.7 Preventive Care Variables
2.5.6.8 2007 Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ)
2.5.6.9 Diabetes Care Survey (DCS)
2.5.7 Disability Days Indicator Variables (DDNWRK31
- OTHNDD53)
2.5.8 Access to Care Variables (ACCELI42-PMDLPR42)
2.5.8.1 United States Residency
2.5.8.2 Family Members' Origins and Preferred Languages
2.5.8.3 Family Members' Usual Source of Health Care
2.5.8.4 Characteristics of Usual Source of Health
Care Providers
2.5.8.5 Access to and Satisfaction with the Provider
2.5.8.6 Access to Medical Treatment, Dental Treatment,
and Prescription Medicines
2.5.8.7 Editing the Access to Care Variables
2.5.8.8 Recoding of Additional Other Specify Text Items
2.5.9 Employment Variables (EMPST31-YNOINS53)
2.5.10 Health Insurance Variables (TRIJA07X-RTPLN42)
2.5.10.1 Monthly Health Insurance Indicators (TRIJA07X-INSDE07X)
2.5.10.2 Summary Insurance Coverage Indicators (PRVEV07-INSCOV07)
2.5.10.3 FY 2007 PUF Managed Care Variables (TRIST31X-PRDRNP07)
2.5.10.4 Unedited Health Insurance Variables (PREVCOVR-INSENDYY)
2.5.10.5 Health Insurance Coverage Variables - At Any
Time/At Interview Date/ At 12-31 Variables (TRICR31X - EVRUNAT)
2.5.10.6 Dental and Prescription Drug Private Insurance
Variables (DENTIN31-PMDINS07)
2.5.10.7 Prescription Drug Usual Third Party Payer
Variables (PMEDUP31 - PMEDOP53)
2.5.10.8 Experiences with Public Plans Variables
(GDCPBM42 - RTPLNT42)
2.5.11 Utilization, Expenditures and Sources of Payment
Variables (TOTCH07-RXOSR07)
2.5.11.1 Expenditure Definition
2.5.11.2 Utilization and Expenditure Variables by
Type of Medical Service
2.6 Linking to Other Files
2.6.1 Event and Condition Files
2.6.2 National Health Interview Survey
2.6.3 Pooling Annual Files
2.6.4 Longitudinal Analysis
3.0 Survey Sample Information
3.1 Background on Sample Design and Response Rates
3.1.1 References on MEPS Sample Design
3.1.2 MEPS-Linked to the National Health Interview Survey
3.1.3 Sample Weights and Variance Estimation
3.2 The MEPS Sampling Process and Response Rates: An Overview
3.2.1 Response Rates
3.2.2 Panel 12 Response Rates
3.2.3 Panel 11 Response Rates
3.2.4 Combined Panel Response
3.2.5 Oversampling in MEPS
3.3 Background on Person-Level Estimation Using this
MEPS Public Use Data File
3.3.1 Overview (Sec. 3.3)
3.3.2 Developing Person-Level Estimates
3.4 Details on Person-Level Weights Construction
3.4.1 Overview (Sec. 3.4)
3.4.2 MEPS Panel 11
3.4.3 MEPS Panel 12
3.4.4 Raking
3.4.5 The Weight for the 2007 Full Year Population Characteristic
File
3.4.6 The Final Poverty-Adjusted Person Level Weight for 2007
3.4.7 MEPS Population Estimates
3.4.8 MEPS Population Coverage
3.5 Background on Family-Level Estimation Using This
MEPS Public Use File
3.5.1 Overview
3.5.2 Definition of "Family" for Estimation Purposes
3.5.3 Instructions to Create Family Estimates
3.5.4 Details on Family Weight Construction and Estimated
Numbers
3.6 Analysis Using Health Insurance Eligibility Units
3.7 Weights and Response Rates for the Self-Administered
Questionnaire (SAQ)
3.8 Weights and Response Rates for the Diabetes Care Survey
3.9 Variance Estimation
3.10 Guidelines for Determining which Weight to Use
for Analysis Involving Data/Variables from Multiple Sources and Supplements
3.11 Using MEPS Data for Trend Analysis
D. Variable-Source Crosswalk
A. Data Use Agreement
Direct individual identifiers have been removed from the micro-data contained in these files. Nevertheless, under data Section 308(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42, U.S. Code, 242m(d)) and the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) (Title 5 of PL 107-347), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data must be used for statistical purposes only and no attempt must be made to identify individuals. The provisions of CIPSEA provide for a felony conviction and/or fine of up to $250,000 if this promise is violated. In addition, data collected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and /or the NCHS may not be used for any purpose other than for the purpose for which it was supplied; any effort to determine the identity of any reported cases, is prohibited by law.
Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is also subject to penalty under Title IX of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 299, Section 924(d), which reads as follows: "Any person who violates subsection (c) shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of not more the same manner as civil money penalties under subsection (a) of section 1128A of the Social Security Act are imposed and collected."
Therefore in accordance with the above referenced Federal Statutes, it is understood that:
- No one is to use the data in this data set in any way except for
statistical reporting and analysis; and
- If the identity of any person or establishment should be discovered
inadvertently, then (a) no use will be made of this knowledge, (b) the
Director Office of Management AHRQ will be advised of this incident, (c)
the information that would identify any individual or establishment will
be safeguarded or destroyed, as requested by AHRQ, and (d) no one else
will be informed of the discovered identity; and
-
No one will attempt to link this data set with individually identifiable
records from any data sets other than the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
or the National Health Interview Survey.
By using these data you signify your agreement to comply with the above stated statutorily based requirements with the knowledge that deliberately making a false statement in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the Federal Government violates Title 18 part 1 Chapter 47 Section 1001 and is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or up to 5 years in prison.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality requests that users cite AHRQ and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey as the data source in any publications or research based upon these data.
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B. Background
1.0 Household Component
The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) provides nationally representative estimates of health care use, expenditures, sources of payment, and health insurance coverage for the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population. The MEPS Household Component (HC) also provides estimates of respondents' health status, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, employment, access to care, and satisfaction with health care. Estimates can be produced for individuals, families, and selected population subgroups. The panel design of the survey, which includes 5 Rounds of interviews covering 2 full calendar years, provides data for examining person level changes in selected variables such as expenditures, health insurance coverage, and health status. Using computer assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) technology, information about each household member is collected, and the survey builds on this information from interview to interview. All data for a sampled household are reported by a single household respondent.
The MEPS-HC was initiated in 1996. Each year a new panel of sample households is selected. Because the data collected are comparable to those from earlier medical expenditure surveys conducted in 1977 and 1987, it is possible to analyze long-term trends. Each annual MEPS-HC sample size is about 15,000 households. Data can be analyzed at either the person or event level.
> Data must be weighted to produce national estimates.
The set of households selected for each panel of the MEPS HC is a subsample of households participating in the previous year's National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. The NHIS sampling frame provides a nationally representative sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population and reflects an oversample of blacks and Hispanics. In 2006, the NHIS implemented a new sample design, which included Asian persons in addition to households with black and Hispanic persons in the oversampling of minority populations. MEPS further oversamples additional policy relevant sub-groups such as low income households. The linkage of the MEPS to the previous year's NHIS provides additional data for longitudinal analytic purposes.
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2.0 Medical Provider Component
Upon completion of the household CAPI interview and obtaining permission from the household survey respondents, a sample of medical providers are contacted by telephone to obtain information that household respondents can not accurately provide. This part of the MEPS is called the Medical Provider Component (MPC) and information is collected on dates of visit, diagnosis and procedure codes, charges and payments. The Pharmacy Component (PC), a subcomponent of the MPC, does not collect charges or diagnosis and procedure codes but does collect drug detail information, including National Drug Code (NDC) and medicine name, as well as date filled and sources and amounts of payment. The MPC is not designed to yield national estimates. It is primarily used as an imputation source to supplement/replace household reported expenditure information.
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3.0 Survey Management and Data Collection
MEPS HC and MPC data are collected under the authority of the Public Health Service Act. Data are collected under contract with Westat, Inc. Data sets and summary statistics are edited and published in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Public Health Service Act and the Privacy Act. The National Center for Health statistics (NCHS) provides consultation and technical assistance.
As soon as data collection and editing are completed, the MEPS survey data are
released to the public in staged releases of summary reports, micro data files,
and tables via the MEPS web site: www.meps.ahrq.gov. Selected data can be analyzed through MEPSnet, an on-line interactive tool designed to give data users the capability to statistically analyze MEPS data in a menu-driven environment.
Additional information on MEPS is available from the MEPS project manager or the MEPS public use data manager at the Center for Financing Access and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850 (301-427-1406).
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C. Technical and Programming Information
1.0 General Information
This documentation describes the 2007 full-year consolidated data file from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS HC). Released as an ASCII file (with related SAS and SPSS programming statements and data user information) and a SAS transport dataset, this public use file provides information collected on a nationally representative sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States for calendar year 2007. The file contains 1787 variables and has a logical record length of 5173 with an additional 2-byte carriage return/line feed at the end of each record.
This file consists of MEPS survey data obtained in Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of Panel 11 and Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Panel 12, the rounds for the MEPS panels covering calendar year 2007, and contains variables pertaining to survey administration, demographics, employment, health status, disability days, quality of care, patient satisfaction, health insurance, income, and person-level medical care use and expenditures.
The following documentation offers a brief overview of the types and levels of data provided, content and structure of the files, and programming information. It contains the following sections:
-
Data File Information
-
Survey Sample Information
-
Variable-Source Crosswalk (Section D)
Both weighted and unweighted frequencies of all the variables included
in the 2007 full-year consolidated data file are provided in the accompanying
codebook file.
A database of all MEPS products released to date and a variable locator
indicating the major MEPS data items on public use files that have been
released to date
can be found on the MEPS Web site: www.meps.ahrq.gov.
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2.0 Data File Information
This public use dataset contains variables and frequency distributions associated with 30,964 persons who participated in the MEPS Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey in 2007. These persons received a positive person-level weight, a family-level weight, or both (some participating persons belonged to families characterized as family-level nonrespondents while some members of participating families were not eligible for a person-level weight).
These 30,964 persons were part of one of the two MEPS panels for whom data were collected in 2007: Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of Panel 11 or Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Panel 12. Of these persons, 29,370 were assigned a positive person-level weight. There were 11,615 families receiving a positive family-level weight. The codebook provides both weighted and unweighted frequencies for each variable on the dataset. In conjunction with the person-level weight variable (PERWT07F) provided on this file, data for persons with a positive person-level weight can be used to make estimates for the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population for 2007.
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2.1 Codebook Structure
The codebook and data file sequence lists variables in the following order:
-
Unique person identifiers and survey administration variables
-
Geographic variables
-
Demographic variables
-
Income and tax filing variables
-
Person-level priority condition variables
-
Health status variables
-
Disability days variables
-
Access to care variables
-
Employment variables
-
Health insurance variables
-
Utilization, expenditure, and source of payment variables
-
Weight and variance estimation variables
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2.2 Reserved Codes
The following reserved code values are used:
Value |
Definition |
-1 INAPPLICABLE |
Question was not asked due to skip pattern |
-2 DETERMINED IN
PREVIOUS ROUND |
Question was not asked in round because there was no change in current main job
since previous round |
-7 REFUSED |
Question was asked and respondent refused to answer question |
-8 DK |
Question was asked and respondent did not know answer |
-
9 NOT ASCERTAINED |
Interviewer did not record the data |
-10 HOURLY WAGE
>= $70.91 |
Hourly wage was top-coded for confidentiality |
-13 INITIAL WAGE IMPUTED
|
Hourly wage was previously imputed so an updated wage is not included in this file |
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2.3 Codebook Format
This codebook describes an ASCII data set and provides the following programming identifiers for each variable:
Identifier |
Description |
Name |
Variable name (maximum of 8 characters) |
Description |
Variable descriptor (maximum 40 characters) |
Format |
Number of bytes |
Type |
Type of data: numeric (indicated by NUM) or
character (indicated by CHAR) |
Start |
Beginning column position of variable in record |
End |
Ending column position of variable in record |
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2.4 Variable Naming
In general, variable names reflect the content of the variable, with an eight-character limitation. Edited variables end in an X and are so noted in the variable label. The last two characters in round-specific variables denote the rounds of data collection, Round 3, 4, or 5 of Panel 11 and Round 1, 2, or 3 of Panel 12. Unless otherwise noted, variables that end in “07” represent status as of December 31, 2007.
Variables contained in this delivery were derived either from the questionnaire itself or from the CAPI. The source of each variable is identified in the section of the documentation entitled “Section D. Variable-Source Crosswalk”. Sources for each variable are indicated in one of four ways: (1) variables derived from CAPI or assigned in sampling are so indicated; (2) variables derived from complex algorithms associated with re-enumeration are labeled “RE Section”; (3) variables that are collected by one or more specific questions in the instrument have those question numbers listed in the Source column; and (4) variables constructed from multiple questions using complex algorithms are labeled “Constructed.”
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2.5 File Contents
Users of MEPS data should be aware that the survey collects data for all sample persons who were in the survey target population at any time during the survey period. In other words, a small proportion of individuals in MEPS analytic files are not members of the survey target population (i.e., civilian noninstitutionalized) for the entire survey period. These persons include those who had periods during which they lived in an institution (e.g., nursing home or prison), were in the military, or lived out of the country, as well as those who were born (or adopted) into MEPS sample households or died during the year. They are considered respondents to the survey and are included in MEPS data files with positive person weights, but no data were collected for the periods they were not in-scope and their annual data for variables like health care utilization, expenditures, and insurance coverage reflect only the part of the year they were in-scope for the survey. Persons who are in-scope for only part of the year should not be confused with non-respondents. Sample persons who are classified as non-respondents to one or more rounds of data collection (i.e., initial non-respondents and drop outs over time) are not included in MEPS annual files, and survey weights for full-year respondents are inflated through statistical adjustment procedures to compensate for both full and part-year nonresponse (see Section 3.0 “Survey Sample Information” for more information). For more details about the identification and analytic considerations regarding sample persons who are in-scope only part of the year, see www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/about_meps/hc_sample.shtml.
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2.5.1 Survey Administration Variables (DUID-RURSLT53)
The survey administration variables contain information related to conducting the interview, household and family composition, and person-level and RU-level status codes. Data for the survey administration variables were derived from the sampling process, the CAPI programs, or were computed based on information provided by the respondent in the re-enumeration section of the questionnaire. Most survey administration variables on this file are asked during every round of the MEPS interview. They describe data for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, 5/3 status and status as of December 31, 2007. Variable names ending in “xy” represent variables relevant to Round “x” of Panel 11 or Round “y” of Panel 12. For example, RULETR53 is a variable relevant to Round 5 of Panel 11 or Round 3 of Panel 12, depending on the panel in which the person was included. The variable PANEL indicates the panel in which the person participated.
The December 31, 2007 variables were developed in two ways. Those used in the construction of eligibility, inscope, and the end reference date were based on an exact date. The remaining variables were constructed using data from specific rounds, if available. If data were missing from the target round but were available in another round, data from that other round were used in the variable construction. If no valid data were available during any round of data collection, an appropriate reserved code was assigned.
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Dwelling Units, Reporting Units, and Families
The definitions of Dwelling Units (DUs) in the MEPS Household Survey are generally consistent with the definitions employed for the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The Dwelling Unit ID (DUID) is a five-digit random ID number assigned after the case was sampled for MEPS. A person number (PID) uniquely identifies each person within the DU. The variable DUPERSID is the combination of the variables DUID and PID.
PANEL is a constructed variable used to specify the panel number for the person. PANEL will indicate either Panel 11 or Panel 12 for each person on the file. Panel 11 is the panel that started in 2006, and Panel 12 is the panel that started in 2007.
A Reporting Unit (RU) is a person or group of persons in the sampled DU who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, foster care, or other family association. Each RU was interviewed as a single entity for MEPS. Thus, the RU serves chiefly as a family-based “survey” operations unit rather than an analytic unit. Members of each RU within the DU are identified in the pertinent three rounds by the round-specific variables RULETR31, RULETR42, and RULETR53. End-of-year status (as of December 31, 2007 or the last round they were in the survey) is indicated by the RULETR07 variable. Regardless of the legal status of their association, two persons living together as a “family” unit were treated as a single RU if they chose to be so identified. Examples of different types of RUs are:
-
A married daughter and her husband living with her parents
in the same DU constitute a single RU;
-
A husband and wife and their unmarried daughter, age 18,
who is living away from home while at college constitute two RUs; and
-
Three unrelated persons living in the same DU would each
constitute a distinct RU (a total of three RUs).
Unmarried college students (less than 24 years of age) who usually live in the
sampled household but were living away from home and going to school at the
time of the Round 3/1 MEPS interview were treated as a RU separate from that
of their parents for the purpose of data collection.
The round-specific variables RUSIZE31, RUSIZE42, RUSIZE53, and the end-of-year status variable RUSIZE07 indicate the number of persons in each RU, treating students as single RUs separate from their parents. Thus, students are not included in the RUSIZE count of their parents’ RU. However, for many analytic objectives, the student RUs would be combined with their parents’ RU, treating the combined entity as a single family. Family identifier and size variables are described below and include students with their parents’ RU.
The round-specific variables FAMID31, FAMID42, FAMID53, and the end-of-year status variable FAMID07 identify a family (i.e., persons related to one another by blood, marriage, adoption, foster care, or self-identified as a single unit) for each round and as of December 31, 2007. The FAMID variables differ from the RULETR variables only in that student RUs are combined with their parents’ RU.
Two other family identifiers, FAMIDYR and CPSFAMID, are provided on this file. The annualized family ID letter, FAMIDYR, identifies eligible members of the eligible annualized families within a DU. The CPSFAMID represents a redefinition of MEPS families into families defined by the Current Population Survey (CPS). Some of the distinctions between CPS-and MEPS-defined families are that MEPS families include and CPS families do not include: non-married partners, foster children, and in-laws. These persons are considered as members of separate families for CPS-like families. The reason CPS-like families are defined is so that a poverty status classification variable consistent with established definitions of poverty can be assigned to the CPS-like families and used for weight poststratification purposes. In order to identify a person’s family affiliation, users must create a unique set of FAMID variables by concatenating the DU identifier and the FAMID variable. Instructions for creating family estimates are described in section 3.5.
Health Insurance Eligibility Units (HIEUs) are sub-family relationship units constructed to include adults plus those family members who would typically be eligible for coverage under the adults' private health insurance family plans. To construct the HIEUIDX variable, which links persons into a common HIEU, we begin with the family identification variable CPSFAMID. Working with this family ID, we define HIEUIDX using family relationships as of the end of 2007. Persons missing end-of-year relationship information are assigned to an HIEUIDX using relationship information from the last round in which they provided such information. HIEUs comprise adults, their spouses, and their unmarried natural/adoptive children age 18 and under. We also include children under age 24 who are full-time students (living at home or away from home). Other children who do not live with their natural/adoptive adult parents are placed in an HIEUIDX as follows:
-
Foster children always comprise a separate HIEUIDX.
-
Other unmarried children are placed in stepparent HIEUIDX, grandparent
HIEUIDX, great-grandparent HIEUIDX, or aunt/uncle HIEUIDX.
-
Children of unmarried minors are placed (along with their minor parents)
in the HIEUIDX of their adult grandparents (if possible). Married minors
are placed into separate HIEUs along with any spouses and children they
might have.
-
Some HIEUs are headed by unmarried minors, when there is no adult
family member
present in the CPSFAMID.
HIEUs do not, in general, comprise adult (nonmarital) partnerships, because unmarried adult partners are rarely eligible for dependent coverage under each other's insurance. The exception to this rule is that we include adult partners in the same HIEU if there is at least one (out-of-wedlock) child in the family that links to both adult partners. In cases of missing or contradictory relationship codes, HIEUs are edited by hand, with the presumption being that the adults and children form a nuclear family.
The round-specific variables FAMSZE31, FAMSZE42, FAMSZE53, and the end-of-year status variable FAMSZE07 indicate the number of persons associated with a single family unit after students are linked to their associated parent RUs for analytical purposes. Family-level analyses should use the FAMSZE variables.
Note that the variables RUSIZE31, RUSIZE42, RUSIZE53, RUSIZE07, FAMSZE31, FAMSZE42, FAMSZE53, and FAMSZE07 exclude persons who are ineligible for data collection (i.e., those where ELGRND31 NE 1, ELGRND42 NE 1, ELGRND53 NE 1 or ELGRND07 NE 1); analysts should exclude ineligible persons in a given round from all family-level analyses for that round.
The round-specific variables RURSLT31, RURSLT42, and RURSLT53 indicate the RU response status for each round. Users should note that the values for RURSLT31 differ from those for RURSLT42 and RURSLT53. The values for RURSLT31 include the following:
Value |
Definition |
-1 |
Inapplicable |
60 |
Complete with RU member |
61 |
Complete with proxy--all RU members deceased |
62 |
Complete with proxy--all RU members institutionalized or deceased |
63 |
Complete with proxy--other |
72 |
RU institutionalized in prior round; Still institutionalized—R3 only |
80 |
Entire RU merged with other RU |
81 |
Entire RU deceased before 1/1/07 |
82 |
Entire RU is military before 1/1/07 |
83 |
Entire RU institutionalized before 1/1/07 |
84 |
Entire RU left U.S. before 1/1/07 |
85 |
Entire RU is ineligible before 1/1/07; Multi-reason |
86 |
Entire RU is ineligible; Non-Key NHIS study |
87 |
Re-enumeration complete; No eligible RU member; Ineligible RU |
88 |
Unavailable during field period |
89 |
Too ill; No proxy |
90 |
Physically/Mentally incompetent; No proxy |
91 |
Final Refusal |
92 |
Final Breakoff |
93 |
Unable to locate |
94 |
Entire RU is military or left U.S. after 1/1/07 |
95 |
Entire RU institutionalized after 1/1/07; No proxy |
96 |
Entire RU deceased after 1/1/07; No proxy |
97 |
Re-enumeration complete; No RU member; Non-Response |
98 |
RU moved too far to interview |
99 |
Final other Non-Response |
The values for RURSLT42 and RURSLT53 include the following:
Value |
Definition |
-1 |
Inapplicable |
60 |
Complete with RU member |
61 |
Complete with proxy--all RU members deceased |
62 |
Complete with proxy--all RU members institutionalized or deceased |
63 |
Complete with proxy--other |
70 |
Entire RU merged with other RU |
71 |
Re-enumeration complete; No eligible RU member; Ineligible RU |
72 |
RU institutionalized in prior round; Still institutionalized |
88 |
Unavailable during field period |
89 |
Too ill; No proxy |
90 |
Physically/Mentally incompetent; No proxy |
91 |
Final Refusal |
92 |
Final Breakoff |
93 |
Unable to locate |
94 |
Entire RU is military or left U.S. after 1/1/07 |
95 |
Entire RU institutionalized after 1/1/07; No proxy |
96 |
Entire RU deceased after 1/1/07; No proxy |
97 |
Re-enumeration complete; No RU member; Non-Response |
98 |
RU moved too far to interview |
99 |
Final other Non-Response |
Standard or primary RUs are the original RUs from NHIS. A new RU is one created when members of the household leave the primary RU and are followed according to the rules of the survey. A student RU is an unmarried college student (under 24 years of age) who is considered a usual member of the household, but was living away from home while going to school, and was treated as a Reporting Unit (RU) separate from his or her parents’ RU for the purpose of data collection. RUCLAS07 was set based on the RUCLAS values from Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3. If the person was present in the responding RU in Round 5/3, then RUCLAS07 was set to RUCLAS53. If the person was not present in a responding RU in Round 5/3 but was present in Round 4/2, then RUCLAS07 was set to RUCLAS42. If the person was not present in either Rounds 4/2 or 5/3 but was present in Round 3/1, then RUCLAS07 was set to RUCLAS31. If the person was not linked to a responding RU during any round, then RUCLAS07 was set to -9.
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Geographic Variables
The round-specific variables REGION31, REGION42, REGION53, and the end-of-year status variable REGION07 indicate the Census region for the RU. REGION07 indicates the region for the 2007 portion of Round 5/3. For most analyses, REGION07 should be used.
The values and states for each region include the following:
Value |
Label |
States |
1 |
Northeast |
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont |
2 |
Midwest |
Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin |
3 |
South |
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia |
4 |
West |
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming |
The round-specific variables MSA31, MSA42, and MSA53 and the end-of-year status variable MSA07 indicate whether or not the RU is found in a Metropolitan Statistical Area and reflect the most recent definitions of metropolitan statistical areas established by Office of Management and Budget (OMB), including the most recent updates. These updates are based on the application of the 2000 Standards for Defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas of OMB to Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2004 and July 1, 2005. For MEPS data releases prior to 2004 the MSA variables were coded in compliance with the definition of metropolitan statistical areas based on application of OMB standards to Census 1990 data. MSA31, MSA42, and MSA53 indicate the MSA status at the time of Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3 interviews. MSA07 indicates the MSA status for the 2007 portion of Round 5/3. For most analyses, analysts should use MSA07 rather than MSA31, MSA42, or MSA53.
Return To Table Of Contents
Reference Period Dates
The reference period is the period of time for which data were collected in each
round for each person. The reference period dates were determined during the
interview for each person by the CAPI program. The round-specific beginning
reference period dates are included for each person. These variables include
BEGRFM31, BEGRFY31, BEGRFM42, BEGRFY42, BEGRFM53, and BEGRFY53.
The reference period for Round 1 for most persons began on January 1, 2007
and ended on the date of the Round 1 interview. For RU members who joined later
in Round 1, the beginning Round 1 reference date was the date the person entered
the RU. For all subsequent rounds, the reference period for most persons began
on the date of the previous round’s interview and ended on the date of the
current round’s interview. Persons who joined after the previous round’s interview
had their beginning reference date for the round set to the day they joined
the RU.
The round-specific ending reference period dates
for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3 as well as the end-of-year reference period
end date variables
are also included for each person. These variables include ENDRFM31,
ENDRFY31, ENDRFM42, ENDRFY42, ENDRFM53, ENDRFY53, ENDRFM07,
and ENDRFY07. For most persons in the sample, the date of the
round’s interview is the reference period end date. Note that the end date of the reference period for a person is prior to the date of the interview if the person was deceased during the round, left the RU, was institutionalized prior to that round’s
interview, or left the RU to join the military.
Prior to 2007, the reference beginning and end days were included in this file.
Beginning in 2007, these variables were removed to provide increased confidentiality. Return To Table Of Contents
Reference Person Identifiers
The round-specific variables REFPRS31, REFPRS42, and REFPRS53 and the end-of-year status variable REFPRS07 identify the reference person for Rounds 3/1, 4/2 and 5/3, and as of December 31, 2007 (or the last round they were in the survey). In general, the reference person is defined as the household member 16 years of age or older who owns or rents the home. If more than one person meets this description, the household respondent identifies one from among them. If the respondent is unable to identify a person fitting this definition, the questionnaire asks for the head of household and this person is then considered the reference person for that RU. This information is collected in the Reenumeration section of the CAPI questionnaire.
Respondent Identifiers
The respondent is the person who answered the interview questions for the Reporting Unit (RU). The round-specific variables RESP31, RESP42, and RESP53 and the end-of-year status variable RESP07 identify the respondent for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3 and as of December 31, 2007 (or the last round they were in the survey). Only one respondent is identified for each RU. In instances where the interview was completed in more than one session, only the first respondent is indicated.
There are two types of respondents. The respondent can be either an RU member or a non-RU member proxy. The round-specific variables PROXY31, PROXY42, and PROXY53 and the end-of-year status variable PROXY07 identify the type of respondent for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, 5/3 and as of December 31, 2007 (or the last round they were in the survey).
Language of Interview
The language of interview variable (INTVLANG) is a summary value of the
round-specific RU-level Closing section question, (CL62A), which asks the
interviewer to record the language in which the interview was completed:
English, Spanish, Both English and Spanish, Other Language. Given the first
round that the person was part of the study and the person’s associated RU for that round, INTVLANG is assigned the interview language value reported for the person’s
RU for the round.
Return To Table Of Contents
Person Status
A number of variables describe the various components reflecting each person’s status for each round of data collection. These variables provide information about a person’s inscope status, Keyness status, eligibility status, and disposition status. These variables include: KEYNESS, INSCOP31, INSCOP42, INSCOP53, INSCOP07, INSC1231, INSCOPE, ELGRND31, ELGRND42, ELGRND53, ELGRND07, PSTATS31, PSTATS42, and PSTATS53. These variables are set based on sampling information and responses provided in the Re-enumeration section of the CAPI questionnaire.
Through the Re-enumeration section of the CAPI questionnaire, each member of a RU was classified as “Key” or “Non-Key”, “inscope” or “out-of-scope”, and “eligible” or “ineligible” for MEPS data collection. To be included in the set of persons used in the derivation of MEPS person-level estimates, a person had to be a member of the civilian noninstitutionalized population for at least one day during 2007. Because a person’s eligibility for the survey might have changed since the NHIS interview, a sampling re-enumeration of household membership was conducted at the start of each round’s interview. Only persons who were “inscope” sometime during the year, were “Key”, and responded for the full period in which they were inscope were assigned positive person-level weights and thus are to be used in the derivation of person-level national estimates from the MEPS.
Note: If analysts want to subset to infants born during 2007, then newborns should be identified using AGE07X = 0 rather than PSTATSxy = 51.
Return To Table Of Contents
Inscope
The round-specific variables INSCOP31, INSCOP42, and INSCOP53 indicate
a person’s inscope status for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3. INSCOP07, INSC1231, and INSCOPE indicate a person’s inscope status for the portion of Round 5/3 that covers 2007, the person’s
inscope status as of 12/31/07, and whether a person was ever inscope during
the calendar year 2007. A person was considered as inscope during a round
or a referenced time period if he or she was a member of the U.S. civilian,
noninstitutionalized population at some time during that round or that
time period. The values of these variables taken in conjunction allow one
to determine inscope status over time (for example, becoming inscope in
the middle of a round, as would be the case for newborns). These variables
may contain the following values and corresponding labels:
Value |
Definition |
0 |
Incorrectly listed, or on NHIS roster but out-of-scope prior to January 1, 2007 |
1 |
Person is inscope for the whole reference period |
2 |
Person is inscope at the start of the RU reference period, but not at the end of the RU reference period |
3 |
Person is not inscope at the start of RU reference period, but is inscope at the end of the RU reference period. (For example, the person is inscope from the date the person joined the RU or the person was in the military in the previous round, but is no longer in the military in the current round) |
4 |
Person is inscope during the reference period, but neither at the reference start date nor on the reference end date. (For example, person leaves an institution, goes into community, and then dies) |
5 |
Person is out-of-scope for all of the reference period during which he or she is in an RU member. (For example, the person is in the military) |
6 |
Person is out-of-scope for the entire reference period and is not a member of the RU during this time period and was inscope and an RU member in an earlier round |
7 |
Person is not in an RU, joined in a later round (or joined the RU after December 31, 2007 for INSCOP07) |
8 |
RU Non-response and Key persons who left an RU with no tracing info and so a new RU was not formed |
9 |
Person is non-Key or full-time in the military, not a member of an RU during this time period, and was an RU member in an earlier round |
Return To Table Of Contents
Keyness
The term “Keyness” is related to an individual’s chance of being included in MEPS. A person is Key if that person is linked for sampling purposes to the set of NHIS sampled households designated for inclusion in MEPS. Specifically, a Key person was a member of an NHIS household at the time of the NHIS interview or became a member of such a household after being out-of-scope at the time of the NHIS (examples of the latter situation include newborns and persons returning from military service, an institution, or living outside the United States).
A non-Key person is one whose chance of selection for the NHIS (and MEPS) was associated with a household eligible but not sampled for the NHIS and who later became a member of a MEPS Reporting Unit. MEPS data (e.g., utilization and income) were collected for the period of time a non-Key person was part of the sampled unit to provide information for family-level analyses. However, non-Key persons who leave a sample household unaccompanied by a Key, inscope member were not followed for subsequent interviews. Non-Key individuals do not receive sample person-level weights and thus do not contribute to person-level national estimates.
The variable KEYNESS indicates a person’s Keyness status. This variable is not round specific. Instead, it is set at the time the person enters MEPS, and the person’s Keyness status never changes. Once a person is determined to be Key, that person will always be Key.
It should be pointed out that a person might be Key even though not part of the civilian, noninstitutionalized portion of the U.S. population. For example, a person in the military may have been living with his or her civilian spouse and children in a household sampled for NHIS. The person in the military would be considered a Key person for MEPS; however, such a person would not be eligible to receive a person-level sample weight if he or she was never inscope during 2007.
Eligibility
The eligibility of a person for MEPS pertains to whether or not data were to be collected for that person. All of the Key inscope persons of a sampled RU were eligible for data collection. The only non-Key persons eligible for data collection were those who happened to be living in an RU with at least one Key, inscope person. Their eligibility continued only for the time that they were living with at least one such person. The only out-of-scope persons eligible for data collection were those who were living with Key inscope persons, again only for the time they were living with such a person. Only military persons can meet this description (for example, a person on full-time active duty military, living with a spouse who is Key).
A person may be classified as eligible for an entire round or for some part of a round. For persons who are eligible for only part of a round (for example, persons may have been institutionalized during a round), data were collected for the period of time for which that person was classified as eligible. The round-specific variables ELGRND31, ELGRND42, ELGRND53 and the end-of-year status variable ELGRND07 indicate a person’s eligibility status for Rounds 3/1, 4/2 and 5/3 and as of December 31, 2007.
Return To Table Of Contents
Person Disposition Status
The round-specific variables PSTATS31, PSTATS42, and PSTATS53 indicate a person’s response and eligibility status for each round of interviewing. The PSTATSxy variables indicate the reasons for either continuing or terminating data collection for each person in the MEPS. Using this variable, one could identify persons who moved during the reference period, died, were born, institutionalized or who were in the military. Analysts should note that PSTATS53 provides a summary for all of Round 5/3, including transitions that occurred after 2007.
The following codes specify the value labels for the PSTATSxy variables.
Value |
Definition |
-1 |
The person was not fielded during the round or the RU was non-response |
0 |
Incorrectly listed in RU at NHIS - applies to MEPS Round 1 only |
11 |
Person in original RU , not full-time active military duty |
12 |
Person in original RU, full-time active military duty, out-of-scope for whole reference period |
13 |
Full-time student living away from home, but associated with sampled RU |
14 |
The person is full-time active military duty during round, is inscope for part of the reference period and is in the RU at the end of the reference period |
21 |
The person remains in a health care institution for the whole round - Rounds 4/2 and 5/3 only |
22 |
The person leaves an institution (health care or non-health care) and rejoins the community - Rounds 4/2 and 5/3 only |
24 |
The person dies in a health care institution during the round (former RU member) - Rounds 4/2 and 5/3 only |
31 |
Person from original RU, dies during reference period |
32 |
Went to health care institution during reference period |
33 |
Went to non-healthcare institution during reference period |
34 |
Moved from original RU, outside U.S. (not as student) |
35 |
Moved from original RU, to a military facility while on full-time active military duty |
36 |
Went to institution (type unknown) during reference period |
41 |
Moved from the original RU, to new RU within U.S. (new RUs include RUs originally classified as “Student RU” but which converted to “New RU”) |
42 |
The person joins RU and is not full-time military during round |
43 |
The person’s disposition as to why the person is not in the RU is unknown or the person moves and it is unknown whether the person moved inside or outside the U.S. |
44 |
The person leaves an RU and joins an existing RU and is not both in the military and coded as inscope during the round |
51 |
Newborn in reference period |
61 |
Died prior to reference period (not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
62 |
Institutionalized prior to reference period (not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
63 |
Moved outside U.S., prior to reference period (not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
64 |
Full-time military, living on a military facility, moved prior to reference period (not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
71 |
Student under 24 living away at school in grades 1-12 (Non-Key) |
72 |
Person is dropped from the RU roster as ineligible: the person is a non-Key student living away or the person is not related to reference person or the RU is the person’s residence only during the school year |
73 |
Not Key and not full-time military, moved without someone Key and inscope (not eligible) |
74 |
Moved as full-time military but not to a military facility and without someone Key and inscope (not eligible this round) |
81 |
Person moved from original RU, full-time student living away from home, did not respond |
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2.5.2 Navigating the MEPS Data with Information on Person Disposition Status
Since the variables PSTATS31, PSTATS42, and PSTATS53 indicate the reasons for either continuing or terminating data collection for each person in MEPS, these variables can be used to explain the beginning and ending dates for each individual’s reference period of data collection, as well as which sections in the instrument each individual did not receive. By using the information included in the following table, analysts will be able to determine for each individual which sections of the MEPS questionnaire collected data elements for that person.
Some individuals have a reference period that spans an entire round, while other
individuals may have data collected only for a portion of the round. When an
individual’s reference period does not coincide with the RU reference period,
the individual’s start date may be a later date, or the end date may be an
earlier date, or both. In addition, some individuals have reference period
information coded as “Inapplicable” (e.g.,
for individuals who were not actually in the household). The information in this
table indicates the beginning and ending dates of reference periods for persons
with various values of PSTATS31, PSTATS42, and PSTATS53. The actual dates for
each individual can be found in the following variables included on this file:
BEGRFM31, BEGRFM42, BEGRFM53, BEGRFY31, BEGRFY42, BEGRFY53,
ENDRFM31, ENDRFM42, ENDRFM53, ENDRFY31, ENDRFY42,
ENDRFY53, ENDRFM07, and ENDRFY07.
The table below also describes the section or sections of the questionnaire that were NOT asked for each value of PSTATS31, PSTATS42, and PSTATS53. For example, the condition enumeration (CE) and preventive care (AP) sections have questions that are not asked for deceased persons. The closing section (CL) also contains some questions or question rosters (see CL07A, CL35 through CL37, CL48 through CL50, CL54, CL58, and CL64) that exclude certain persons depending on whether the person died, became institutionalized, or otherwise left the RU; however, no one is considered to have skipped the entire section. Some questions or sections (e.g., health status (HE), employment (RJ, EM, EW)) are skipped if individuals are not within a certain age range. Since the PSTATS variables do not address skip patterns based on age, analysts will need to use the appropriate age variables.
The paper-and-pencil Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ) was designed to collect information based on two age categories during Panel 12 Round 2 and Panel 11 Round 4. A person was considered eligible to receive an SAQ if that person did not have a status of deceased or institutionalized, did not move out of the U. S. or to a military facility, was not a non-response at the time of the Round 2 or Round 4 interview date, and was 18 years of age or older. No RU members added in Round 3 or Round 5 were asked to complete an SAQ questionnaire. Because PSTATS variables do not address skip patterns based on age, this questionnaire was not included in the table below. Once again, analysts will need to use the appropriate age variable which in this case would be AGE42X. The documentation for this questionnaire appears in the SAQ section of this document under “Health Status Variables.”
Please note that the end reference date shown below for PSTATS53 reflects the Round 5/3 reference period rather than the portion of Round 5/3 that occurred during 2007.
PSTATS Value |
PSTATS
Description |
Sections in the instrument which persons with this PSTATS value do NOT receive |
Begin Reference Date |
End
Reference Date |
-1 |
The person was not fielded during the round or the RU was non-response |
ALL sections |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
0 |
Incorrectly listed in RU at NHIS - Round 1 only |
ALL sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
11 |
Person in original household, not FT active military duty (Person is in the same
RU as the previous round) |
-- |
>PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
>PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
12 |
>Person in original household, FT active military duty, out-of-scope for whole reference period. |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
13 |
FT student living away from home, but associated with sampled household |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
14 |
The person is FT active military duty during round and is inscope for part of
the reference period and is in the RU at the end of the reference period |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
PSTATS31: Interview date
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: If the person is living w/ someone Key and inscope, then
the interview date. If not living w/ someone who is Key and inscope, then the
date the person joined the military |
21 |
The person remains in a health care institution for the whole round - Rounds
4/2 and 5/3 only |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
22 |
The person leaves a health care institution and rejoins the community - Rounds
4/2 and 5/3 only |
-- |
Date rejoined the community |
Interview date |
23 |
The person leaves a health care institution, goes into community and then dies
- Rounds 4/2 and 5/3 only |
PE - Priority Conditions Enumeration
Part of CE - Condition enumeration: Skip CE1 to-CE5
HE - Health status
AC - Access to care
Part of AP - Preventive care: Skip AP12 to AP22 |
Date rejoined the community |
Date of Death |
24 |
The person dies in a health care institution during the round (former household
member) - Rounds 4/2 and 5/3 only |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
31 |
Person from original household, dies during reference period |
PE - Priority Conditions Enumeration
Part of CE - Condition enumeration: Skip CE1 to CE5
HE - Health status
AC - Access to care
Part of AP - Preventive care: Skip AP12 to AP22 |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date of Death |
32 |
Went to healthcare institution during reference period |
Access to care (AC) |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date institutionalized |
33 |
Went to non-healthcare institution during reference period |
Access to care (AC) |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date institutionalized |
34 |
>Moved from original household, outside US |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date left the RU |
35 |
Moved from original household, to a military facility while on FT active military
duty |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date left the RU |
36 |
Went to institution (type unknown) during reference period |
Access to care (AC) |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date institutionalized |
41 |
Moved from the original household, to new household within US (new households
include RUs originally classified as a student RU but which converted to a
new RU; these are individuals in an RU that has split from an RU since the
previous round) |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
42 |
The person joins household and is not full-time military during round |
-- |
The later date of January 1, 2007 and the date the person joined the RU |
Interview date |
43 |
The person’s disposition as to why the person is not in the RU is unknown or the person moves and it is unknown whether the person moved inside or outside the U.S. |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
44 |
The person leaves an RU and joins an existing RU and is not both in the military
and coded as inscope during the round |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
>PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date of the RU the person has joined. This may not be the interview date of the RU that the person came from |
Interview date |
51 |
Newborn in reference period |
Questions where age must be > 1
Health status (HE),
Disability days (DD)
Employment (RJ/EM/EW) will be skipped) |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007 if born prior to 2007. The date of birth if born in
2007.
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: The later of the Prior round interview date and date of
birth |
Interview date |
61 |
Died prior to reference period (not eligible)--Round 3/1 only |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
62 |
Institutionalized prior to reference period (not eligible)--Round 3/1 only |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
63 |
Moved outside U.S., prior to reference period (not eligible)--Round 3/1 only |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
64 |
FT military, moved prior to reference period (not eligible)--Round 3/1 only |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
71 |
Student under 24 living away at school in grades 1 through 12 (Non-Key) |
-- |
PSTATS31: January 1, 2007
PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
72 |
Person is dropped from the RU roster as ineligible: the person is a Non-Key student
living away or the person is not related to reference person or the RU is the
person’s residence only during the school year |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
73 |
Not Key and not full-time military, moved w/o someone Key and inscope (not eligible) |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
74 |
Moved as full-time military but not to a military facility and w/o someone Key
and inscope (not eligible) |
All sections after RE |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
81 |
Person moved from original household, FT student living away from home, did not
respond |
No data were collected |
Inapplicable |
Inapplicable |
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2.5.3 Demographic Variables
(AGE31X-DADIP53X)
General Information
Demographic variables provide information about the demographic characteristics of each person from the MEPS-HC. The characteristics include age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, and military service. As noted below, some variables have edited and imputed values. Most demographic variables on this file were asked during every round of the MEPS interview. These variables describe data for Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of Panel 11 (the panel that started in 2006); Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of Panel 12 (the panel that started in 2007); and status as of December 31, 2007. Demographic variables that are round-specific are identified by names including numbers “xy”, where x and y refer to Round numbers of Panels 11 and 12 respectively. Thus, for example, AGE31X represents the age data relevant to Round 3 of Panel 11 or Round 1 of Panel 12. As mentioned in Section 2.5.1 “Survey Administration Variables”, the variable PANEL indicates the panel from which the data were derived. A value of 11 indicates Panel 11 data and a value of 12 indicates Panel 12 data. The remaining demographic variables on this file are not round-specific.
The variables describing demographic status of the person as of December 31, 2007 were developed in two ways. First, the age variable (AGE07X) represents the exact age as of 12/31/07, calculated from date of birth and indicates age status as of 12/31/07. For the remaining December 31st variables [i.e., related to marital status (MARRY07X, SPOUID07, SPOUIN07), student status (FTSTU07X), and the relationship to reference persons (RFREL07X)], the following algorithm was used: data were taken from Round 5/3 counterpart if non-missing; else, if missing, data were taken from the Round 4/2 counterpart; else from the Round 3/1 counterpart. If no valid data were available during any of these rounds of data collection, the algorithm assigned the missing value (other than -1 “Inapplicable”) from the first round that the person was part of the study. When all three rounds were set to –1, a value of –9 “Not Ascertained” was assigned.
Age
Date of birth and age for each RU member were asked or verified during each MEPS interview (DOBMM, DOBYY, AGE31X, AGE42X, AGE53X). If date of birth was available, age was calculated based on the difference between date of birth and date of interview. Inconsistencies between the calculated age and the age reported during the CAPI interview were reviewed and resolved. For purposes of confidentiality, the variables AGE31X, AGE42X, AGE53X and AGE07X were top-coded at 85 years.
When date of birth was not provided but age was provided (either from the MEPS interviews or the 2005-2006 NHIS data), the month and year of birth were assigned randomly from among the possible valid options. For any cases still not accounted for, age was imputed using:
(1) the mean age difference between MEPS participants with certain family relationships (where available) or
(2) the mean age value for MEPS participants.
For example, a mother’s age is imputed as her child’s age plus 26, where 26 is the mean age difference between MEPS mothers and their children. A wife’s age is imputed as the husband’s age minus 3, where 3 is the mean age difference between MEPS wives and husbands.
Age was imputed in this way for 28 persons on this file. Age was determined for 28 additional persons from data in a later round.
Sex
Data on the gender of each RU member (SEX) were initially determined from
the 2005 NHIS for Panel 11 and from the 2006 NHIS for Panel 12. The SEX
variable was verified and, if necessary, corrected during each MEPS interview.
The data for new RU members (persons who were not members of the RU at
the time of the NHIS interviews) were also obtained during each MEPS Round.
When gender of the RU member was not available from the NHIS interviews
and was not ascertained during one of the subsequent MEPS interviews, it
was assigned in the following way. The person’s first name was used to assign gender if obvious (no cases were resolved in this way). If the person’s first name provided no indication of gender, then family relationships were reviewed (no cases were resolved this way). If neither of these approaches made it possible to determine the individual’s
gender, gender was randomly assigned (no cases were resolved this way).
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Race and Ethnicity Group
The race and the ethnic background questions were asked for each RU member during the MEPS interview. If the information was not obtained in Round 1, the questions were asked in subsequent rounds. It should be noted that race/ethnicity questions in the MEPS were revised starting in 2002. Race/ethnicity data from earlier years are not directly comparable. The following table shows the differences:
MEPS Race and Ethnicity Variables, by Years.
FY PUFS 1996 – 2001 |
FY PUFS 2002 – current |
RACEX |
RACEX |
1 American Indian
|
1 White – No other race reported
|
2 Aleut, Eskimo
|
2 Black – No other race reported
|
3 Asian or Pacific Islander
|
3 American Indian/Alaska Native – No other race reported
|
4 Black
|
4 Asian – No other race reported
|
5 White
|
5 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – No other race reported
|
91 Other
|
6 Multiple race reported
|
HISPANX |
HISPANX |
1 Hispanic
|
1 Hispanic
|
2 Not Hispanic
|
2 Not Hispanic
|
RACETHNX |
RACETHNX |
1 Person is Hispanic
|
1 Person is Hispanic
|
2 Person is Black/Not Hispanic
|
2 Person is Black – No other race reported/Not Hispanic
|
3 Other/Not Hispanic
|
3 Person is Asian – No other race reported/Not Hispanic
|
|
4 Other race/Not Hispanic
|
HISPCAT |
HISPCAT |
-9 Not Ascertained
|
-9 Not Ascertained
|
-7 Refused
|
-8 DK
|
1 Puerto Rican
|
-7 Refused
|
2 Cuban
|
1 Puerto Rican
|
3 Mexican/Mexican American/Mexicano/ Chicano
|
2 Cuban/Cuban American
|
4 Other Latin American/Other Spanish
|
3 Dominican
|
5 Non-Hispanic
|
4 Mexican/Mexican American
|
|
5 Central or South American
|
|
6 Non-Hispanic
|
|
91 Other Latin American
|
|
92 Other Hispanic / Latino
|
|
RACEAX |
|
1 Asian – No other race reported
|
|
2 Asian – Other race(s) reported
|
|
3 All other race assignments
|
|
RACEBX |
|
1 Black – No other race reported
|
|
2 Black – Other race(s) reported
|
|
3 All other race assignments
|
|
RACEWX |
|
1 White – No other race reported
|
|
2 White – Other race(s) reported
|
|
3 All other race assignments
|
Values for these variables were obtained based on the following priority order. If available, data collected were used to determine race and ethnicity. If race and/or ethnicity were not reported in the interview, then data obtained from the originally collected NHIS data were used. If still not ascertained, the race, and/or ethnicity were assigned based on relationship to other members of the DU using a priority ordering that gave precedence to blood relatives in the immediate family (this approach was used on 31 persons to set race and 25 persons to set ethnicity).
Starting in 2002, individuals were allowed to choose more than one race and, as a result, three new variables were constructed: RACEBX, RACEAX, and RACEWX. RACEBX identifies individuals as being: 1) Black--no other race reported, 2) Black--other race(s) reported, or 3) not black. RACEAX and RACEWX are constructed similarly but apply to Asians and Whites. All race and ethnicity variables reflect the imputations done for RACEX and HISPANX. RACETHNX summarizes both race and ethnicity information in a single variable.
Marital Status and Spouse ID
Current marital status was collected and/or updated during every round of the MEPS interview. This information was obtained in RE13 and RE97 and is reported as MARRY31X, MARRY42X, MARRY53X and MARRY07X. Persons under the age of 16 were coded as 6 “Under 16 – Inapplicable”. If marital status of a specified round differed from that of the previous round, then the marital status of the specified round was edited to reflect a change during the Round (e.g., married in round, divorced in round, separated in round, or widowed in round).
In instances where there were discrepancies between the marital statuses of two individuals within a family, other person-level variables were reviewed to determine the edited marital status for each individual. Thus, when one spouse was reported as married and the other spouse reported as widowed, the data were reviewed to determine if one partner should be coded as 8 “Widowed in Round”.
Edits were performed to ensure some consistency across rounds. First, a person could not be coded as “Never Married” after previously being coded as any other marital status (e.g., “Widowed”). Second, a person could not be coded as “Under 16 – Inapplicable” after being previously coded as any other marital status. Third, a person could not be coded as “Married in Round” after being coded as “Married” in the round immediately preceding. Fourth, a person could not be coded as an “in Round” code (e.g., “Widowed in Round”) in two subsequent rounds. Since marital status can change across rounds and it was not feasible to edit every combination of values across rounds, unlikely sequences for marital status across the round-specific variables do exist.
The person identifier for each individual’s spouse is reported in SPOUID31, SPOUID42, SPOUID53, and SPOUID07. These are the PIDs (within each family) of the person identified as the spouse during Round 3/1, Round 4/2, and Round 5/3 and as of December 31, 2007, respectively. If no spouse was identified in the household, the variable was coded as 995 “No spouse in household”. Those with unknown marital status are coded as 996 “Marital Status Unknown”. Persons under the age of 16 are coded as 997 “Less than 16 Years Old”.
The SPOUIN31, SPOUIN42, SPOUIN53, and SPOUIN07 variables indicate whether a person’s spouse was present in the RU during Round 3/1, Round 4/2, Round 5/3 and as of December 31, 2007 respectively. If the person had no spouse in the household, the value was coded as 2 “Not Married/No Spouse”. For persons under the age of 16 the value was coded as 3 “Under 16 – Inapplicable”.
The SPOUID and SPOUIN variables were obtained from RE76 and RE77 in Panel 11, RE76A in Panel 12, where the respondent was asked to identify how each pair of persons in the household were related. Analysts should note that this information was collected in a set of questions separate from the questions that asked about marital status. While editing was performed to ensure that SPOUID and SPOUIN are consistent within each round, there was no consistency check between these variables and marital status in a given round. Apparent discrepancies between marital status and spouse information may be due to any of the following causes:
- Ambiguity as to when during a round a change in marital status occurred.
This is a result of relationship information being asked for all
persons living in the household at any time during the round, while marital
status
is asked
as of the interview date (e.g., If one spouse died during the reference
period, the surviving spouse’s marital status would be “Widowed in Round”,
but SPOUIN and SPOUID for the same round would indicate that a spouse
was present).
- Valid discrepancies in the case of persons who are married but not
living with their spouse, or separating but still living together.
- Discrepancies that cannot be explained for either of the previous
reasons.
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Student Status and Educational Attainment
The variables FTSTU31X, FTSTU42X, FTSTU53X and FTSTU07X indicate whether the person was a full-time student at the interview date (or 12/31/07 for FTSTU07X). These variables have valid values for all persons between the ages of 17 - 23 inclusive. When this question was asked during Round 1 of Panel 12, it was based on age as of the 2006 NHIS interview date.
Number of years of education completed is indicated in the variable EDUCYR. Information was obtained from question RE 103. Children who are 5 years of age or older and who never attended school were coded as 0; children under the age of 5 years were coded as -1 “Inapplicable” regardless of whether they attended school. However, among the cases coded as –1 “Inapplicable”, there is no distinction between those who were under the age of five and others who were inapplicable, such as persons who may be institutionalized for an entire round. EDUCYR is based on the first round in which the number of years of education is collected for a person. The user should note that EDUCYR is an unedited variable and minimal data cleaning was performed on this variable.
The variable HIDEG, indicating highest degree of education, was obtained from three questions: highest grade completed (RE103), high school diploma (RE104), and highest degree (RE105). Persons under 16 years of age were coded as 8 “Under 16 – Inapplicable”. In cases where the response to the highest degree question was “No degree” and the response to the highest grade question was 13 through 17 “1 or More Years of College”, the variable HIDEG was coded as 3 “High School Diploma”. If highest grade completed was “Refused” or “Don’t Know” for those with a “No Degree” response for the highest degree question, the variable HIDEG was coded as 1 “No Degree”. HIDEG is based on the first round in which the highest degree was collected for a person. The user should note that HIDEG is an unedited variable and minimal data cleaning was performed on this variable.
Military Service and Honorable Discharge
Information on active duty military status was collected during each round of the MEPS interview. Persons currently on full-time active duty status are identified in the variables ACTDTY31, ACTDTY42, and ACTDTY53. Those under 16 years of age were coded as 3 “Under 16 – Inapplicable”, and those over the age of 59 were coded as 4 “Over 59 – Inapplicable”.
Persons who have been honorably discharged from active duty in the Armed Forces are identified by HONRDC31, HONRDC42, and HONRDC53. Those 16 years of age and under are coded as 3 “16 or Younger – Inapplicable”, and those over 16 and currently serving on full-time active duty in the military are coded as 4 “Now Active Duty”.
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Relationship to the Reference Person within Reporting Units
For each Reporting Unit (RU), the person who owns or rents the DU is usually defined as the reference person. For student RUs, the student is defined as the reference person. (For additional information on reference persons, see the documentation on survey administration variables.) The variables RFREL31X, RFREL42X, RFREL53X, and RFREL07X indicate the relationship of each individual to the reference person of the Reporting Unit (RU) in a given round. For the reference person, this variable has the value “Self”; for all other persons in the RU, relationship to the reference person is indicated by codes representing “Husband/Spouse”, “Wife/Spouse”, “Son”, “Daughter”, “Female Partner”, “Male Partner”, etc. In 2007, the additional relationships of Foster Sister (47) and Foster Brother (48) were added to the choices. A code of 91, meaning “Other Related, Specify”, was used to indicate rarely observed relationship descriptions such as “Mother of Partner”. If the relationship of an individual to the reference person was not ascertained during the round-specific interview, relationships between other RU members were used, where possible, to assign a relationship to the reference person. If MEPS data from calendar year 2007 were not sufficient to identify the relationship of an individual to the reference person, relationship variables from the 2006 MEPS or NHIS data were used to assign a relationship. In the event that a meaningful value could not be determined or data were missing, the relationship variable was assigned a missing value code.
For 18 cases, where two individuals’ relationship indicated they were spouses, but both had marital status indicating they were not married, their relationship was changed to non-marital partners. In addition, the relationship variables were edited to insure that they did not change across rounds for RUs in which the reference person did not change, with the exception of relationships identified as partner, spouse, or foster relationships.
Parent Identifiers
The variables MOPID31X, MOPID42X, MOPID53X and DAPID31X, DAPID42X DAPID53X are round-specific and are used to identify the parents (biological, adopted, or step) of the person represented on that record. MOPID##X contains the person identifier (PID) for each individual’s mother if she lived in the RU in that panel/round of the survey, or a value of –1 (Inapplicable) if she did not. Similarly, DAPID##X contains the person identifier (PID) for each individual’s father if he lived in the RU in that panel/round of the survey, or a value of –1 (Inapplicable) if he did not. MOPID##X and DAPID##X were constructed based on information collected in the relationship grid of the instrument each round at questions RE76 and RE77 in Panel 11, RE76A in Panel 12, and include biological, adopted, and step parents. Foster parents were not included. For persons who were not present in the household during a round, MOPID##X and DAPID##X have values of –1 (Inapplicable).
Edits were performed to ensure that MOPID##X and DAPID##X were consistent with each individual’s age, sex, and other relationships within the family. For instance, the gender of the parent must be consistent with the indicated relationship; mothers are at least 12 years older than the person and no more than 55 years older than the person; fathers are at least 12 years older than the person; each person has no more than one mother and no more than one father; any values set for MOPID##X and DAPID##X were removed from any person identified as a foster child; and the PID for the person’s mother and father are valid PIDs for that person’s RU for the 2007 Full Year File.
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2.5.4 Income and Tax Filing Variables (SSIDIS07 – OTHIMP07)
The file provides income and tax-related variables that were constructed primarily from data collected in the Panel 11 Round 5 and Panel 12 Round 3 Income Sections. Person-level income amounts have been edited and imputed for every record on the full-year file, with detailed imputation flags provided as a guide to the method of editing. The tax-filing variables and some program participation variables are unedited, as discussed below.
During imputation, logical editing and weighted, sequential hot-decks were used to estimate income amounts for missing values (both for item nonresponse and for persons in the full-year file who were not in the income rounds). Reported income components were generally left unedited (with the few exceptions noted below). Thus, analysts using these data may wish to apply additional checks for outlier values that would appear to stem from misreporting.
The editing process began with wage and salary income, WAGEP07X. Complete responses were left unedited, and this group of people was assigned WAGIMP07=1, where WAGIMP07 is the imputation flag for wage and salary data. The only exception was for a small number of persons who reported zero wage and salary income despite having been employed for pay during the year according to round level data (see below). Since data on tax filing and on taxable income sources were collected using an approach that encouraged respondents to provide information from their federal tax returns, logical edits were used to assign separate income amounts to married persons whose responses were based on combined income amounts on their joint tax returns.
Persons assigned WAGIMP07=2 were those providing broad income ranges (brackets) rather than giving specific dollar amounts. Weighted sequential hot-decking was used to provide these individuals with specific dollar amounts. For this imputation, donors were persons who reported specific dollar amounts within the corresponding broad income ranges. All WAGEP07X hot-deck imputations used cells defined on the basis of a conventional list of person-level characteristics including age, education, employment status, race, sex, and region.
In an effort to improve the quality of income data, the income ranges available to those respondents who are unable or unwilling to provide specific dollar amounts were revised beginning with Panel 12, Round 3. These revisions affected wages and all other income amounts reported on an annual basis. As a result, the Panel 12, Round 3 ranges/brackets were not the same as those used for collection in Panel 11, Round 5. Therefore, for the 2007 file, the imputation described above was performed using only potential donors from the same panel as the recipients. For earlier years’ files, potential donors could come from either panel without regard to the panel of a recipient.
Persons assigned WAGIMP07=3 were those who did not report wage and salary income and who were assigned WAGEP07X=0 based on not having been employed during the year.
Persons assigned WAGIMP07=4 were those who did not provide valid dollar amounts or dollar ranges, but for whom we had related information from the employment sections of the survey. In most cases this information included wages, hours, and weeks worked; for some persons, only hours and weeks worked data were reported in the employment section. The available employment section data were used to construct annualized wage amounts to be used in place of missing income section annual wage and salary data. Comparisons of reported and constructed wages and salaries using persons who provided both sorts of information yielded a high degree of confidence that employment data could be reliably used to derive values to serve in place of missing wage and salary information. To implement this approach, part-year responders were assumed to be fully-employed during the remainder of the year if they were employed during the period in which they provided data. An exception was made for those who either died or were institutionalized. These persons were assigned zero wages and salaries for the time they were not in MEPS.
Hot-deck imputation was used for the remaining persons with missing WAGEP07X.
Donor pools included persons whose WAGEP07X amounts were edited in the steps
described above. Whenever possible, the hot-deck imputations used data on whether
or not the person had been employed at any point during the year (and, if available,
the number of weeks worked). Imputations for persons deemed to have been employed
were conditional in nature, using only donors with positive WAGEP07X amounts
(WAGIMP07=5). Imputations for WAGEP07X for the remaining persons were unconditional,
using both workers and non-workers as donors (WAGIMP07=6).
After editing WAGEP07X for all persons in the full-year file, the remaining income sources were edited in the following sequence: INTRP07X, BUSNP07X, DIVDP07X, REFDP07X, ALIMP07X, SALEP07X, TRSTP07X, PENSP07X, IRASP07X, SSECP07X, UNEMP07X, WCMPP07X, VETSP07X, CASHP07X, OTHRP07X, CHLDP07X, SSIP07X, and PUBP07X. Income components were edited sequentially, in each case using information regarding income amounts that had already been edited (so as to maintain patterns of correlation across income sources whenever possible). In all cases, bracketed responses were edited first (using hot-deck imputations from donors in corresponding brackets who gave specific dollar amounts), followed by imputations for remaining missing values. Note that the description of hot-decking by panel for the WAGEP07X variable where an income range (bracket) was reported also holds true for all other annual income sources. The hot-deck imputations used cells defined on the basis of income amounts already edited and a conventional list of person-level characteristics such as age, education, employment status, race, sex, and region. In addition, hot-deck imputations for CHLDP07X used family-level information concerning marital status and the number of children. Hot-deck imputations for SSIP07X and PUBP07X were also assigned using, in part, simulated program eligibility indicators that integrated state-level program eligibility criteria with data on family composition and income.
In the hotdecks for some income types, information from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) was used. The NHIS sample is the frame for the new sample selected for MEPS collection each year, with a year’s time lag. Data from the 2005 NHIS correspond to MEPS Panel 11, while those from the 2006 NHIS correspond to MEPS Panel 12. Because MEPS units come from the NHIS, it is possible to match individual MEPS responding units to an NHIS unit.
Taking advantage of this matching ability, income recipiency indicators collected by NHIS were used in imputing for missing data in certain MEPS income components - interest, dividends, business income, pensions, and Social Security. (Not all MEPS income categories have an equivalent in NHIS. Also, wage data were available from NHIS, but were not used in the MEPS imputation process.)
In cases where data on a particular income category were missing for a person in MEPS, the indicator in that income category on the NHIS file was employed, if a valid response was supplied. Indicators were examined for the entire tax-filing unit (two people in the case of married couples filing jointly; one person in all other cases).
Reported income amounts of less than one dollar were treated as missing amounts (to be hot-decked from donors with positive amounts of the corresponding income source). Also, a very few cases of outlier responses were edited (primarily public sources of income that exceeded possible amounts). Otherwise, reported amounts were left unchanged.
For each income component, the corresponding xxxxIMP07 variable contains an indicator concerning the method for editing/imputation. All the flag variables have the following formatted values:
1 = Original response used;
2 = Bracket converted;
3 = Missing value set to 0;
4 = Weeks worked/earnings used (WAGIMP07 only);
5 = Conditional hot-deck;
6 = Unconditional hot-deck;
Missing values were set to zero when there were too few recipients to warrant
hot-deck imputations of positive values (as in the case of ALIMP07X received
by males). “Conditional hot-decks” indicate instances where the respondent indicated receipt but not a specific dollar amount. In these cases, the donor pool was restricted to persons with nonzero amounts of the income source in question. “Unconditional hot-decks” indicate instances where the donor pool included persons receiving both zero and nonzero amounts (implemented in cases where there was little or no information about a person’s
income source).
Total person-level income (TTLP07X) is the sum of all income components
with the exception of REFDP07X and SALEP07X (to match as closely as possible
the CPS definition of income; see Section 2.5.4.2). Some researchers may
wish to define their own income measure by adding in one or both of these
excluded components.
The tax variables, food stamp variables, SSI disability flag, and
welfare participation flag are all completely unedited. Note that
while the
welfare participation flag is named AFDC07, in fact this variable
reflects participation in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF), with
respondents having been prompted with “TANF”, “AFDC”, and “welfare.” Unedited
tax variables are provided to assist researchers building tax simulation
programs. No efforts have been made to eliminate inconsistencies
among these program participation and tax variables and other MEPS
data.
All of these unedited variables should be used with great care.
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2.5.4.1 Income Top-Coding
All person-level income amounts on the file, including both total income and the separate sources of income, were top coded to preserve confidentiality. For each income source, top codes were applied to the top percentile of all cases (including negative amounts that exceeded income thresholds in absolute value). In cases where less than one percent of all persons received a particular income source, all recipients were top-coded.
Top-coded income amounts were masked using a regression-based approach. The regressions relied on many of the same variables used in the hot-deck imputations, with the dependent variable in each case being the natural logarithm of the amount that the income component was in excess of its top-code threshold. Predicted values from this regression were reconverted from logarithms to levels using a smearing correction, and these predicted amounts were then added back to the top-code thresholds. This approach preserves the component-by-component weighted means (both overall and among top-coded cases), while also preserving much of the income distribution conditional on the variables contained in the regressions. At the same time, this approach ensures that every reported amount in excess of its respective threshold is altered on the public use file. The process of top-coding income amounts in this way inevitably introduces measurement error in cases where income amounts were reported correctly by respondents. Note, however, that top-coding can also help to reduce the impact of outliers that occur due to reporting errors.
Total person-level income is constructed as the sum of the adjusted person-level income components. Having constructed total income in this manner, this total was then top-coded using the same regression-based procedure described above (again masking the top percentile of cases). Finally, the components of income were scaled up or down in order to make the sources of income consistent with the newly-adjusted totals.
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2.5.4.2 Poverty Status
The definitions of income, family, and poverty categories used to construct the related variables in this file were taken from the 2007 poverty statistics developed by the Current Population Survey (CPS). The categorical variable for 2007 family income as a percentage of poverty (POVCAT07) was constructed using the same method as in earlier years’ files. To supplement POVCAT07, two new poverty-related variables have been added to the 2007 file.
FAMINC07 is a new variable that contains total family income for each person’s CPS family. Family income was derived by constructing person-level total income comprising annual earnings from wages, salaries, bonuses, tips, commissions; business and farm gains and losses; unemployment and workers’ compensation; interest and dividends; alimony, child support, and other private cash transfers; private pensions, IRA withdrawals, social security, and veterans payments; supplemental security income and cash welfare payments from public assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and related programs; gains or losses from estates, trusts, partnerships, S corporations, rent, and royalties; and a small amount of “other” income. Person-level income excluded tax refunds and capital gains. Person-level income totals were then summed over family members, as defined by CPSFAMID, to yield CPS family-level total income (FAMINC07).
POVLEV07 was also added to the file this year. It is the continuous version of the POVCAT07 variable. The POVLEV07 percentage was computed by dividing CPS family income by the applicable poverty line (based on family size and composition). POVCAT07 takes the POVLEV07 percentage for each person and classifies it into one of five poverty categories: negative or poor (less than 100%), near poor (100% to less than 125%), low income (125% to less than 200%), middle income (200% to less than 400%), and high income (greater than or equal to 400%). Persons missing CPSFAMID were treated as one-person families in constructing their poverty percentage and category.
Family income, as well as the components of person level income, has been subjected to internal editing patterns and derivation methods that are in accordance to specific definitions, and are not being released at this time. Researchers working with a family definition other than CPSFAMID may wish to create their own versions of total family income.
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2.5.5 Person-Level Condition Variables (RTHLTH31-ASWNFL53)
2.5.5.1 Perceived Health Status
Perceived health status (RTHLTH31, RTHLTH42, and RTHLTH53) and perceived mental health status (MNHLTH31, MNHLTH42, and MNHLTH53) were collected in the Condition Enumeration section in Panel 11 and in the Priority Conditions Enumeration section in Panel 12. The target persons of the questions remained the same across Panels 11 and 12, i.e., all current or institutionalized persons regardless of age. These questions (CE01 and CE02 in Panel 11 and PE00A and PE00B in Panel 12) asked the respondent to rate each person in the family according to the following categories: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor.
2.5.5.2 Priority Condition Variables (HIBPDX-ASWNFL53)
The Priority Conditions Enumeration (PE) section was new in Panel 12. Some questions in PE were asked in the PC section of Panel 11 (Rounds 3 and 5 only). See Section D, Variable-Source Crosswalk, for details.
The PE section was asked in its entirety in Round 1 for all current or institutionalized
persons aged 18 or older, and in Round 2 for only new RU members aged 18 or
older. In Round 3, the specific condition questions (except joint pain) were
asked only if the person was aged 18 or older and had not reported the condition
in Round 1 or 2; the joint pain question was asked in Round 3 for all current
or institutionalized persons aged 18 or older, regardless of Round 1 and Round
2 responses. Additionally, all persons regardless of age were asked if they
had ever been diagnosed with asthma.
Priority condition variables whose names end in “DX” indicate whether the person was ever diagnosed with the condition. Variables ending in “31” reflect data obtained in Round 3 of Panel 11 and Round 1 or 2 of Panel 12 and variables ending in “53” reflect data obtained in Round 5 of Panel 11 and Round 3 of Panel 12.
Before 2007, these DX variables contained a “53” suffix because they reflected data collected only in Rounds 3 and 5 in the PC section. Beginning in 2007, the suffix has been removed because the data were collected in all rounds. Because of this, the Panel 12 diagnosis variables were constructed using responses from all three rounds to capture the full range of responses while Panel 11 values were constructed using the data collected in Round 5 only.
Diagnoses data were collected for persons over 17 years of age (with the exception of Asthma, which is asked of all ages). If edited age is within range for the variable to be set, but the source data are missing because person’s age in CAPI is not within range, the constructed variable is set to “Not Ascertained” (-9). Additionally, if the person was 17 in Round 1, turned 18 in Round 2, and was not a current or institutionalized RU member in Round 3, the source data are missing per design. However, the DX variables are set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) as the person was old enough to be asked the PE questions within the data year. The exception to this is the variable JTPAIN31, which is described in greater detail below.
Only those conditions collected in both the PE section in Panel 12 and the PC section in Panel 11 are included in this release. While 2007 data regarding conditions collected only in Panel 11 (sore throat) and only in Panel 12 (cancer, chronic bronchitis, ADD/hyperactivity) are not included in this release, they are available through the MEPS Data Center. Conditions collected only in Panel 12 will be released on this public use file beginning in 2008 when there will be data available for both panels in the data year.
Questions were asked regarding the following conditions:
- High blood pressure, including multiple diagnoses
- Heart disease (including coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial
infarction, and other unspecified heart disease)
- Stroke
- Emphysema
- High cholesterol, including the age of diagnosis
- Diabetes
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Asthma
These conditions were selected because of their relatively high prevalence, and because generally accepted standards for appropriate clinical care have been developed. As part of AHRQ’s focus on the quality of health care, this series of questions obtained information on the receipt of tests or procedures appropriate for each condition. This information thus supplements other information on medical conditions that is gathered in other parts of the interview.
It should be noted that unlike condition information collected elsewhere in the MEPS, conditions identified in the PC section of the instrument in Panel 11 were not added to the condition roster. Thus, there may be legitimate inconsistencies between items in this section and conditions recorded for a person on the condition file. The Panel 12 data were collected at the person-by-round level (indicating if the person was ever diagnosed with the condition) and at the condition level. Therefore, if the person reported having been diagnosed with a condition, the person-by-round variable was set to ‘1’ (Yes) and a condition record for that medical condition was created.
Editing of these variables focused on checking that skip patterns were consistent.
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High Blood Pressure Questions about high blood pressure (hypertension) were asked only of persons
aged 18 or older. Consequently, persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1)
on these variables. HIBPDX ascertained whether the person had ever been diagnosed
as having high blood pressure (other than during pregnancy). Those who had
received this diagnosis were also asked if they had been told on two or more
different visits that they had high blood pressure (BPMLDX).
Heart Disease
Heart disease questions were asked only of persons aged 18 or older. Consequently, persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) on all the variables in this set.
CHDDX – asked if the person had ever been diagnosed
as having coronary heart disease
ANGIDX – asked if the person had ever been diagnosed
as having angina, or angina pectoris
MIDX – asked if the person had ever been diagnosed
as having a heart attack, or myocardial infarction
OHRTDX – asked if the person had ever been diagnosed
with any other kind of heart disease or condition
Stroke
STRKDX asked if the person (aged 18 or older) had ever been diagnosed
as having had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or ministroke).
Persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
Emphysema
EMPHDX asked if the person (aged 18 or older) had ever been diagnosed
with emphysema. Persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
High Cholesterol
Questions about high cholesterol were asked of persons aged 18 or older.
Consequently, persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1)
on these variables. CHOLDX ascertained whether the person had ever been
diagnosed as having high cholesterol. Those who had received this diagnosis
were also asked at what age this diagnosis occurred (CHLAGE). Note that,
like the AGE##X variables, CHLAGE was top-coded to 85 years of age for
confidentiality purposes. Persons who were diagnosed over the age of 85
have CHLAGE set to 85.
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Diabetes
DIABDX indicates whether each person had ever been diagnosed with diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes). Starting in Panel 12, a new item was added to the PC section (PC02A – REFDIAB). This item allows the respondent to indicate that diabetes was reported in the PE section in error (REFDIAB = 2). Respondents were not prompted to confirm or deny the report of diabetes; REFDIAB was set to “2” (Person Does Not Have Diabetes) only if the respondent offered the information. DIABDX is set to “No” (2).
Each person who said they had received a diagnosis of diabetes was asked to complete a special self-administered questionnaire. The documentation for this questionnaire appears in the Diabetes Care Survey (DCS) section of the documentation.
In Panel 11, the diabetes diagnosis question was asked of all current or institutionalized RU members regardless of age. In Panel 12, the diabetes diagnosis question was asked of current or institutionalized RU members aged 18 or older. The Panel 11 and Panel 12 data were reconciled by setting DIABDX to “Inapplicable” (-1) for persons age 17 or younger regardless of panel.
Joint Pain
JTPAIN31 and JTPAIN53 asked if the person (aged 18 or older) had experienced pain, swelling, or stiffness around a joint in the last 12 months. This question is not intended to be used as an indicator of a diagnosis of arthritis. In 2006, only JTPAIN53 was delivered because the question was asked in the PC section only in Rounds 3 and 5; JTPAIN31 was added in 2007 because the question was asked in the PE section in Rounds 1, 2, and 3.
The Panel 12 portion of JTPAIN31 reflects data collected in Rounds 1 and 2. If the person was a current or institutionalized RU member aged 17 in Round 1 and turned 18 in Round 2, the source data are missing per design. JTPAIN31 is set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) for these persons as they were old enough to be asked the PE questions within the first part of the data year. Note that, because JTPAIN31 is constructed using data from both Round 1 and Round 2, it is possible for JTPAIN31 to be set to a value other than “Inapplicable” (-1) if the person was deceased in Round 2 as long as the person was in-scope in Round 1.
The Panel 11 portion of JTPAIN31 reflects data from Round 3. The Panel 11 Round
3 question was only asked of persons aged 18 or older. Consequently, persons
aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). JTPAIN53 is set to “Inapplicable” (-1)
for all persons aged 17 or younger in Panel 11 Round 5 and Panel 12 Round 3.
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Arthritis
ARTHDX asked if the person (age 18 or older) had ever been diagnosed
with arthritis. Persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
Asthma
ASTHDX indicates whether a person had ever been diagnosed with asthma. Those who said “Yes” were asked additional questions. ASSTIL31 and ASSTIL53 asked if the person still had asthma. ASATAK31 and ASATAK53 asked whether the person had experienced an episode of asthma or an asthma attack in the past 12 months. In 2006, only ASSTIL53 and ASATAK53 were asked in Rounds 3 and 5 in the PC section of Panel 11; ASSTIL31 and ASATAK31 were added in 2007 because the questions were asked in Rounds 1 through 3 in the PE section of Panel 12.
Additional follow-up questions regarding asthma medication used for quick relief (ASACUT53), preventive medicine (ASPREV53), and peak flow meters (ASPKFL53) were asked. These questions were asked in Panel 12 if the person reported having been diagnosed with asthma (ASTHDX = 1). In Panel 11, these questions were asked of persons who reported having been diagnosed with asthma and if the person reported still having asthma (ASSTIL53 = 1) or having experienced an episode of asthma or an asthma attack in the past 12 months (ASATAK53 = 1). ASACUT53 asked whether the person had used the kind of prescription inhaler that you breathe in through your mouth that gives quick relief from asthma symptoms. ASPREV53 asked whether the person had ever taken the preventive kind of asthma medicine used every day to protect the lungs and prevent attacks, including both oral medicine and inhalers. ASPKFL53 indicates whether the person with asthma had a peak flow meter at home.
Persons who said “Yes” to ASACUT53 were asked whether they had used more than three canisters of this type of inhaler in the past 3 months (ASMRCN53). Persons who said “Yes” to ASPREV53 were asked whether they now took this kind of medication daily or almost daily (ASDALY53). Persons who said “Yes” to ASPKFL53 were asked if they ever used the peak flow meter (ASEVFL53). Those persons who said “Yes” to ASEVFL53 were asked when they last used the peak flow meter (ASWNFL53).
Because the asthma diagnosis variable reflects three rounds of data in Panel 12, it may appear that there are discrepancies between the diagnosis variable and the follow-up variables. If a person reported asthma in the PE section in Round 3, ASATAK31 and ASSTIL31 will be set to “Inapplicable” (-1) as the person had not reported asthma in Round 1 or 2. If a person reported asthma in the PE section in Round 1 or 2 but was not a current RU member in Round 3, the 53 asthma variables will be set to “Inapplicable” (-1) as the Round 3 follow-up data were not collected for the person.
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2.5.6 Health Status Variables (IADLHP31-DSPRX53)
Due to the overlapping panel design of the MEPS (Round 3 for Panel 11 overlapped with Round 1 for Panel 12, Round 4 for Panel 11 coincided with Round 2 for Panel 12, and Round 5 for Panel 11 occurred at the same time as Round 3 for Panel 12), data from overlapping rounds have been combined across panels. Thus, any variable ending in “31” reflects data obtained in Round 3 of Panel 11 and Round 1 of Panel 12. Analogous comments apply to variables ending in “42” and “53”. Health Status variables whose names end in “07” indicate a full-year measurement.
This data release incorporates information from calendar year 2007. However, health status data obtained in Round 3 of both Panel 11 and Panel 12 are included in variables that have names ending in “31” and “53” respectively. For persons in Panel 11, Round 3 extended from 2006 into 2007. Therefore, for these people, some information from late 2006 is included for variables that have names ending in “31”. For persons in Panel 12, Round 3 extended from 2006 into 2008. Therefore, for these people, some information from early 2008 is included for variables that have names ending in “53”. Note that for most Panel 11 persons, the Round 5 reference period ends on December 31, 2007; however, the Round 5 interview actually occurs in 2008. Round 5 respondents receive an instruction at the start of the Health Status (HE) section of CAPI to limit information about health status and limitations to the period ending on December 31, 2007. Nevertheless, if respondents forget or ignore this reference period instruction, some information collected in this section in Round 5 (variables ending in “53”) might reflect circumstances in early 2008. Further, health status questions asked in the Condition Enumeration (CE), Preventive Care (AP), and Priority Conditions (PC) sections of CAPI in Round 5 do not contain a similar explicit instruction that the reference period ends on December 31, 2007, although this is stated at the start of the overall interview. Hence, in these sections, respondents may also be providing health status information that pertains to 2008.
Health Status variables in this data release can be classified into several conceptually distinct sets:
- ADL (Activities of Daily Living) and IADL (Instrumental Activities of
Daily Living) limitations
- Functional limitations and activity limitations
- Vision problems
- Hearing problems
- Any limitations
- Child health and preventive care
- Preventive care
Self-administered questionnaire
- Diabetes care survey
ADL and IADL limitations were measured in all rounds. Functional and activity limitations were measured in Rounds 3 and 5 for Panel 11 and Rounds 1 and 3 for Panel 12. Vision, hearing, and children’s health status were measured in Round 4 for Panel 11 and Round 2 for Panel 12. Preventive care was measured in Round 5 of Panel 11 and Round 3 of Panel 12. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed in Round 4 of Panel 11 and Round 2 of Panel 12. The diabetes care supplement was distributed in Round 5 of Panel 11 and Round 3 of Panel 12.
In general, Health Status variables involved the construction of person-level variables based on information collected in the Health Status section of the questionnaire. Many Health Status questions were initially asked at the family-level to ascertain if anyone in the household had a particular problem or limitation. These were followed up with questions to determine which household member had each problem or limitation. All information ascertained at the family-level has been brought to the person-level for this file. Logical edits were performed in constructing the person-level variables to assure that family-level and person-level values were consistent. Particular attention was given to cases where missing values were reported at the family-level to ensure that appropriate information was carried to the person-level.
Inapplicable cases occurred when a question was never asked because of a skip pattern in the survey (e.g., individuals who were 13 years of age or older were not asked some follow-up verification questions; individuals older than 17 were not asked questions pertaining to children’s health status). Inapplicable cases are coded as -1. In addition, deceased persons were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
Each of the sets of variables listed above will be described in turn.
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2.5.6.1 IADL and ADL Limitations
IADL Help
The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Help or Supervision variables (IADLHP31, IADLHP42, and IADLHP53) were each constructed from a series of three questions administered in the Health Status section of the interview. The initial question (HE01) determined if anyone in the family received help or supervision with IADLs such as using the telephone, paying bills, taking medications, preparing light meals, doing laundry, or going shopping. If the response was “Yes”, a follow-up question (HE02) was asked to determine which household member(s) received this help or supervision. For persons under age 13, a final verification question (HE03) was asked to confirm that the IADL help or supervision was the result of an impairment or physical or mental health problem. If the response to the final verification question was “No”, IADLHP31, IADLHP42, and IADLHP53 were coded “No” for persons under the age of 13.
If no one in the family was identified as receiving help or supervision with IADLs, all members of the family were coded as receiving no IADL help or supervision. In cases where the response to the family-level question was “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded according to the family-level response. In cases where the response to the family-level question (HE01) was “Yes” but no specific individuals were identified in the follow-up question as having IADL difficulties, all persons were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
The Duration of IADL Condition variables (IADL3M31, IADL3M42 and IADL3M53) were constructed from a follow-up question (HE03A) in the Health Status section of the interview. For each person who received IADL help or supervision due to an impairment or physical or mental health problem (IADLHP## is coded “Yes”), HE03A was asked to determine whether the person was expected to need help or supervision with these activities for at least three more months. For persons coded “No” (2), “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9) for IADLHP##, IADL3M## was coded “Inapplicable” (-1).
ADL Help
The Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Help or Supervision variables (ADLHLP31, ADLHLP42, and ADLHLP53) were each constructed in the same manner as the IADL help variables, but using questions HE04-HE06. Coding conventions for missing data were the same as for the IADL variables.
The Duration of ADL Condition variables (ADL3MO31, ADL3MO42 and ADL3MO53) were constructed from a follow-up question (HE06A) in the Health Status section of the interview. For each person who received ADL help or supervision due to an impairment or physical or mental health problem (ADLHLP## is coded “Yes”), HE06A was asked to determine whether the person was expected to need help or supervision with these activities for at least three more months. For persons coded “No” (2), “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9) for ADLHLP##, ADL3MO## was coded “Inapplicable” (-1).
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2.5.6.2 Functional and Activity Limitations
Functional Limitations
A series of questions pertained to functional limitations, which are defined as difficulty in performing certain specific physical actions. WLKLIM31 and WLKLIM53 were the filter questions, depending on the round. These variables were derived from a question (HE09) that was asked at the family-level: “Does anyone in the family have difficulties walking, climbing stairs, grasping objects, reaching overhead, lifting, bending or stooping, or standing for long periods of time?” If the answer was “No”, then all family members were coded as “No” (2) on WLKLIM31 or WLKLIM53. If the answer was “Yes”, then the specific persons who had any of these difficulties were identified and coded as “Yes” (1), and remaining family members were coded as “No” (2). If the response to the family-level question was “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), “Not Ascertained” (-9), or “Inapplicable” (-1), then the corresponding missing value code was applied to each family member’s value for WLKLIM31 or WLKLIM53. If the answer to HE09 was “Yes” (1) but no specific individual was named as experiencing such difficulties, then each family member was assigned “Don’t Know” (-8). Deceased persons were assigned a -1 code (“Inapplicable”) for WLKLIM31 or WLKLIM53.
For Rounds 3 (Panel 11) and 1 (Panel 12), if WLKLIM31 was coded “Yes” (1) for any family member, a subsequent series of questions was administered. The series of questions for which WLKLIM31 served as a filter is as follows:
LFTDIF31 – difficulty lifting 10 pounds
STPDIF31 – difficulty walking up 10 steps
WLKDIF31 – difficulty walking 3 blocks
MILDIF31 – difficulty walking a mile
STNDIF31 – difficulty standing 20 minutes
BENDIF31 – difficulty bending or stooping
RCHDIF31 – difficulty reaching over head
FNGRDF31 – difficulty using fingers to grasp
WLK3MO31 – expected to have difficulty with any
of these activities for at least 3 more months
This series of questions was asked separately for each person whose response to WLKLIM31 was coded “Yes” (1). The series of questions was not asked for other individual family members whose response to WLKLIM31 was “No” (2). In addition, this series was not asked about family members who were less than 13 years of age, regardless of their status on WLKLIM31. These questions were not asked about deceased family members. In such cases (i.e., WLKLIM31 = 2, or age < 13, or PSTATS31 = 31), each question in the series was coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). Finally, if responses to WLKLIM31 were “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), “Not Ascertained” (-9), or otherwise “Inapplicable” (-1), then each question in this series was coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
Analysts should note that WLKLIM31 was asked of all household members, regardless of age. For the subsequent series of questions, however, persons less than 13 years old were skipped and coded as “Inapplicable”. Therefore, it is possible for someone aged 12 or less to have a code of “Yes” (1) on WLKLIM31, and also to have codes of “Inapplicable” on the subsequent series of questions.
For Rounds 5 (Panel 11) and 3 (Panel 12), the corresponding filter question was WLKLIM53.
The series of questions for which WLKLIM53 served as a filter is as follows:
LFTDIF31 – difficulty lifting 10 pounds
STPDIF31 – difficulty walking up 10 steps
WLKDIF31 – difficulty walking 3 blocks
MILDIF31 – difficulty walking a mile
STNDIF31 – difficulty standing 20 minutes
BENDIF31 – difficulty bending or stooping
RCHDIF31 – difficulty reaching over head
FNGRDF31 – difficulty using fingers to grasp
WLK3MO31 – expected to have difficulty with any
of these activities for at least 3 more months
Editing conventions were the same for this “53” series of variables as they were for the corresponding “31” series described above.
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Use of Assistive Technology and Social/Recreational Limitations
The variables indicating use of assistive technology (AIDHLP31 and AIDHLP53, from question HE07) and social/recreational limitations (SOCLIM31 and SOCLIM53, from question HE22) were collected initially at the family-level. If there was a “Yes” (1) response to the family-level question, a second question identified the specific individual(s) to whom the “Yes” response pertained. Each individual identified as having the difficulty was coded “Yes” (1) for the appropriate variable; all remaining family members were coded “No”. If the family-level response was “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded with the family-level response. In cases where the family-level response was “Yes” but no specific individual was identified as having difficulty, all family members were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
Work, Housework, and School Limitations
The variables indicating any limitation in work, housework, or school (ACTLIM31 and ACTLIM53) were constructed using questions HE19-HE20. Specifically, information was collected initially at the family-level. If there was a “Yes” (1) response to the family-level question (HE19), a second question (HE20) identified the specific individual(s) to whom the “Yes” (1) response pertained. Each individual identified as having a limitation was coded “Yes” (1) for the appropriate variable; all remaining family members were coded “No” (2). If the family-level response was “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded with the family-level response. In cases where the family-level response was “Yes” (1) but no specific individual was identified as having difficulty, all family members were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8). Persons less than five years old were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) on ACTLIM31 and ACTLIM53.
For Round 3 (Panel 11) or Round 1 (Panel 12), if ACTLIM31 was “Yes” (1) and the person was 5 years of age or older, a follow-up question (HE20A) was asked to identify the specific limitation or limitations for each person. These included working at a job (WRKLIM31), doing housework (HSELIM31), or going to school (SCHLIM31). Respondents could answer “Yes” (1) or “No” (2) to each activity; thus a person could report limitations in multiple activities. WRKLIM31, HSELIM31, and SCHLIM31 have values of “Yes” (1) or “No” (2) only if ACTLIM31 was “Yes” (1); each variable was coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) if ACTLIM31 was “No” (2). When ACTLIM31 was “Refused” (-7), these variables were all coded as “Refused” (-7); when ACTLIM31 was “Don’t Know” (-8), these variables were all coded as “Don’t Know” (-8); and when ACTLIM31 was “Not Ascertained” (-9), these variables were all coded as “Not Ascertained” (-9). If a person was under 5 years old or was deceased, WRKLIM31, HSELIM31, and SCHLIM31 were each coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
An additional question (UNABLE31) was asked if the person was completely unable to work at a job, do housework, or go to school. Those respondents who were coded “No” (2), “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9) on ACTLIM31, were under 5 years of age, or were deceased were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) on UNABLE31. UNABLE31 was asked once for whichever set of WRKLIM31, HSELIM31, and SCHLIM31 the respondent had limitations; if a respondent was limited in more than one of these three activities, UNABLE31 did not specify if the respondent was completely unable to perform all of them, or only some of them.
For Rounds 5 (Panel 11) or 3 (Panel 12) corresponding variables were ACTLIM53, WRKLIM53, HSELIM53, SCHLIM53, and UNABLE53. Editing conventions were the same as those described above.
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Cognitive Limitations
The variables indicating any cognitive limitation (COGLIM31 or COGLIM53, depending on the round) were collected at the family-level as a three-part question (HE24-01 to HE24-03), asking if any of the adults in the family (1) experience confusion or memory loss, (2) have problems making decisions, or (3) require supervision for their own safety. If a “Yes” response was obtained to any item, the persons affected were identified in HE25, and COGLIM31 or COGLIM53 was coded as “Yes” (1). Remaining family members not identified were coded as “No” (2) for COGLIM31 or COGLIM53.
If responses to HE24-01 through HE24-03 were all “No”, or if two of three were “No” (2) and the remaining was “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all family members were coded as “No” (2). If responses to the three questions were combinations of “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), and missing, all persons were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8). If the response to any of the three questions was “Yes” (1) but no individual was identified in HE25, all persons were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
The cognitive limitations variables (COGLIM31 and COGLIM53) reflect whether any of the three component questions is “Yes” (1). Respondents with one, two, or three specific cognitive limitations cannot be distinguished. In addition, because the question asked specifically about adult family members, all persons less than 18 years of age are coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) on this question.
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2.5.6.3 Vision Problems
A series of questions (HE26 to HE32) provides information on visual impairment. These questions were asked of all household members, regardless of age. Deceased respondents were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
WRGLAS42 indicates whether a person wears eyeglasses or contact lenses. This variable was based on two questions, HE26 and HE27. The initial question (HE26) determined if anyone in the family wore eyeglasses or contact lenses. If the response was “Yes” (1), a follow-up question (HE27) was asked to determine which household member(s) wore eyeglasses or contact lenses. If the family-level response was “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded with the family-level response. In cases where the family-level response was “Yes” (1) but no specific individual was identified as wearing glasses or contact lenses, all family members were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
SEEDIF42 indicates whether anyone in the family had difficulty seeing (with glasses or contacts, if used). This variable was based on two questions, HE28 and HE29. The initial question (HE28) determined if anyone in the family had difficulty seeing. If the response was “Yes” (1), a follow-up question (HE29) was asked to determine which household member(s) had a visual impairment. If the family-level response was “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded with the family-level response. In cases where the family-level response was “Yes” (1) but no specific individual was identified as having difficulty seeing, all family members were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
Three subsequent questions were asked only of individuals who had difficulty seeing (i.e., SEEDIF42 was “Yes” (1)). Persons with no visual impairment were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) for these questions, as were persons with “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), or “Not Ascertained” (-9) responses to SEEDIF42. The three subsequent questions are summarized in the three subsequent variables. BLIND42 determined if a person with difficulty seeing was blind. For persons who were not blind (BLIND42 was “No” (2)), READNW42 asked whether the person could see well enough to read ordinary newspaper print (with glasses or contacts, if used); persons who were blind were not asked this question and were coded “Inapplicable” (-1). For persons who could not read ordinary newspaper print (READNW42 was “No” (2)), RECPEP42 asked if the person could see well enough to recognize familiar people standing two or three feet away. Persons who were blind or who could read newsprint were not asked this question and were coded “Inapplicable” (-1).
VISION42 summarizes the pattern of responses to the set of visual impairment questions. Codes for VISION42 are as follows:
Value |
Definition |
-1 |
All component variables are “Inapplicable” (SEEDIF42 was -1 and BLIND42 was -1 and READNW42 was -1 and RECPEP42 was -1) |
-9 |
One or more component variables was “Refused” (-7), “Don’t know” (-8), or “Not ascertained” (-9) |
1 |
No difficulty seeing (SEEDIF42 was “No” (2)) |
2 |
Some difficulty seeing, can read newsprint (SEEDIF42 was “Yes” (1) and BLIND42 was “No” (2) and READNW42 was “Yes” (1)) |
3 |
Some difficulty seeing, cannot read newsprint, can recognize familiar people (SEEDIF42 was “Yes” (1) and BLIND42 was “No” (2) and READNW42 was “No” (2) and RECPEP42 was “Yes” (1)) |
4 |
Some difficulty seeing, cannot read newsprint, cannot recognize familiar people but is not blind (SEEDIF42 was “Yes” (1) and BLIND42 was “No” (2) and READNW42 was “No” (2) and RECPEP42 was “No” (2)) |
5 |
Blind (SEEDIF42 was “Yes” (1) and BLIND42 was “Yes” (1) |
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2.5.6.4 Hearing Problems
A series of questions (HE33 to HE39) provides information on hearing impairment. These questions were asked of all household members, regardless of age. Deceased respondents were coded “Inapplicable” (-1).
HEARAD42 indicates whether a person wears a hearing aid. This variable was based on two questions, HE33 and HE34. The initial question (HE33) determined if anyone in the family wore a hearing aid. If the response was “Yes”, a follow-up question (HE34) was asked to determine which household member(s) wore a hearing aid. If the family-level response was “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded with the family-level response. In cases where the family-level response was “Yes” but no specific individual was identified as wearing a hearing aid, all family members were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
HEARDI42 indicates whether a person had difficulty hearing (with a hearing aid, if used). This variable is based on two questions, HE35 and HE36. The initial question (HE35) determined if anyone in the family had difficulty hearing. If the response was “Yes”, a follow-up question (HE36) was asked to determine which household member had an aural impairment. If the family-level response was “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), all persons were coded with the family-level response. In cases where the family-level response was “Yes” but no specific individual was identified as having difficulty hearing, all family members were coded as “Don’t Know” (-8).
Three subsequent questions were asked only of individuals who had difficulty hearing (i.e., HEARDI42 was “Yes” (1)). Persons with no hearing impairment were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1) for these questions, as were persons with “Don’t Know” (-8), “Refused” (-7), or “Not Ascertained” (-9) responses to HEARDI42. The three subsequent questions are summarized in the three subsequent variables. DEAF42 determined if a person with difficulty hearing was deaf. For persons who were not deaf (DEAF42 was “No” (2)), HEARMO42 asked whether the person could hear well enough to hear most of the things people say (with a hearing aid, if used); persons who were deaf were not asked this question and were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). For persons who could not hear most things people say (HEARMO42 was “No” (2)), HEARSM42 asked if the person could hear well enough to hear some of the things that people say. Persons who were deaf or who could hear most conversation were not asked this question and were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
HEARNG42 summarizes the pattern of responses to the set of hearing impairment questions. Codes for HEARNG42 are as follows:
Value |
Definition |
-1 |
All component variables are “Inapplicable” (HEARDI42 was -1 and DEAF42 was -1 and HEARMO42 was -1 and HEARSM42 was -1) |
-9 |
One or more component variables was “Refused” (-7), “Don’t know” (-8), or “Not ascertained” (-9) |
1 |
No difficulty hearing (HEARDI42 was “No” (2)) |
2 |
Some difficulty hearing, can hear most things people say (HEARDI42 was “Yes” (1) and DEAF42 was “No” (2) and HEARMO42 was “Yes” (1)) |
3 |
Some difficulty hearing, cannot hear most things people say, can hear some things people say (HEARDI42 was “Yes” (1) and DEAF42 was “No” (2) and HEARMO42 was “No” (2) and HEARSM42 was “Yes” (1)) |
4 |
Some difficulty hearing, cannot hear most things people say, cannot hear some things people say but is not deaf (HEARDI42 was “Yes” (1) and DEAF42 was “No” (2) and HEARMO42 was “No” (2) and HEARSM42 was “No” (2)) |
5 |
Deaf (HEARDI42 was “Yes” (1) and DEAF42 was “Yes” (1) |
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2.5.6.5 Any Limitation
Rounds 3, 4, and 5 (Panel 11) / Rounds 1, 2, and 3 (Panel 12)
ANYLIM07 summarizes whether a person has any ADL, IADL, activity, functional,
or sensory limitations in any of the pertinent rounds. This variable was
derived based on data from Rounds 3, 4, and 5 (Panel 11) or Rounds 1, 2,
and 3 (Panel 12). ANYLIM07 was built using the component variables IADLHP31,
IADLHP42, IADLHP53, ADLHLP31, ADLHLP42, ADLHLP53, WLKLIM31, WLKLIM42, WLKLIM53,
ACTLIM31, ACTLIM53, SEEDIF42, and HEARDI42. (The latter two variables, discussed
above, indicate any visual or hearing impairment, respectively.) If any
of these components was coded “Yes”, then ANYLIM07 was coded “Yes” (1). If all components were coded “No”, then ANYLIM07 were coded “No” (2). If all the components were “Inapplicable” (-1), then ANYLIM07 was coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). If all the components had missing value codes (i.e., -7, -8, -9, or -1), ANYLIM07 was coded as “Not Ascertained” (-9). If some components were “No” and others had missing value codes, ANYLIM07 was coded as “Not Ascertained” (-9). The exception to this latter rule was for children younger than five years old, who were not asked questions that are the basis for ACTLIM31 or ACTLIM53; for these respondents, if all other components were “No”, then ANYLIM07 was coded as “No” (2). The variable label for ANYLIM07 departs slightly from conventions. Typically, variables that end in “07” refer
only to 2007. However, some of the variables used to construct ANYLIM07
were assessed in 2008, so some information from early 2008 is incorporated
into this variable.
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2.5.6.6 Child Health and Preventive Care
Starting in 2001, a Child Health and Preventive Care section was added to Rounds
2 and 4 of MEPS, and it contains questions that had been in the 2000 Parent Administered
Questionnaire (PAQ), selected children’s questions that had been asked
in previous years, and additional child preventive care questions. Children were
eligible for questions in the Child Health and Preventive Care section if they
were in rounds 2 and 4 and under the age of 18 as of the interview date (0<=AGE42X<=17),
excluding deceased children (where PSTATS42 is not equal to 31). For the Child
Health and Preventive Care section variables, a code of “Inapplicable” (-1)
was assigned if a person was deceased, was not in the appropriate Round 2 or
4, was not in the applicable age subgroup as of the interview date, or when question
skip instructions dictate. This public use dataset contains variables and frequency
distributions from the Child Health and Preventive Care section associated with
8,934 children who were eligible for the Child Health and Preventive Care section.
Of these children, 8,533 were assigned a positive person-level weight for 2007
(PERWT07F > 0). In analyzing data from the Child Health and Preventive Care
section, the full file should be used subset to those cases eligible for this
section. An easy way to subset to cases eligible for the Child Health and Preventive
Care section is to subset to cases where the variable LSHLTH42 (from this section)
is not equal to -1. The different statistical software packages dictate how this
subsetting needs to be done. For example, the SUBPOPN statement would be used
with SUDAAN. Questions in this section that previously had been in the Parent
Administered Questionnaire in 2000 may produce slightly different estimates starting
in 2001 due to the change in mode from a self-administered parent questionnaire
in 2000 to an interviewer administered questionnaire starting in 2001.
Children’s General Health Status Questions (ages 0 - 17)
Several questions from the General Health Subscale of the Child Health Questionnaire were asked about all children ages 0 through 17. The questions asked starting in 2001 are slightly different from the questions asked in previous years. A key reference for the Child Health Questionnaire is:
Landgraf JM, Abaetz L., Ware JE. The CHQ User’s Manual.
First Edition. Boston, MA: The Health Institute, New England Medical Center,
1996.
Four questions asked for ratings of the child’s health on a 5-point scale, ranging from “Definitely True” (1) to “Definitely False” (5). These questions were:
LSHLTH42 – child seems less healthy than other children
NEVILL42 – child has never been seriously ill
SICEAS42 – child usually catches whatever is going
around
HLTHLF42 – expect child will have a healthy life
WRHLTH42 – worry more than is usual about child’s
health
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Children with Special Health Care Needs Screener (ages 0 - 17)
The Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Screener instrument was developed through a national collaborative process as part of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) under the coordination by the Foundation for Accountability. A key reference for this screener instrument is:
Bethel CD, Read D, Stein REK, Blumberg SJ, Wells N, Newacheck PW. Identifying Children with Special Health Care Needs: Development and Evaluation of a Short Screening Instrument. Ambulatory Pediatrics Volume 2, No. 1, January-February 2002, pp 38-48.
These questions are asked about children ages 0 –17 and had been asked in the 2000 PAQ. In general, the CSHCN screener identifies children with activity limitation or need or use of more health care or other services than is usual for most children of the same age. When a response to a gate question was set to “No” (2), “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), follow-up variables based on the gate question were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
The variable CSHCN42 identifies children with special health care needs, and
was created using the CSHCN screener questions according to the specifications
in the reference above. The CSHCN screener questions consist of a series of
question-sequences about the following five health consequences: the need or
use of medicines prescribed by a doctor; the need or use of more medical care,
mental health, or education services than is usual for most children; being
limited or prevented in doing things most children can do; the need or use
of special therapy such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy; and the
need or use of treatment or counseling for emotional, developmental, or behavioral
problems. Parents who responded “yes” to any of the “initial” questions in
the five question-sequences were then asked to respond to up to two follow-up
questions about whether the health consequence was attributable to a medical,
behavioral, or other health condition lasting or expected to last at least
12 months. Children with positive responses to at least one of the five health
consequences along with all of the follow-up questions were identified as having
a Special Health Care Need. Children with a “no” response for at least one
question for each of the five question-sequences were considered NOT to have
a Special Health Care Need. Those children whose “special health care need” status
could not be determined (due to missing data for any of the questions) were
coded as “Unknown”. More information about the CSHCN screener questions can
be obtained from (www.facct.org).
The CSHCN screener questions were:
CHPMED42 – child needs or uses prescribed medicines
CHPMHB42 – prescribed medicines were because of a
medical, behavioral, or other health condition
CHPMCN42 – health condition that causes a person to
need prescribed medicines has lasted or is expected to last for at least
12 months
CHSERV42 – child needs or uses more medical care,
mental health, or education services than is usual for most children of the
same age
CHSRHB42 – child needs or uses more medical and other
service because of a medical, behavioral, or other health condition
CHSRCN42 – health condition that causes a person to
need or use more medical and other services has lasted or is expected to
last for at least 12 months
CHLIMI42 – child is limited or prevented in any way
in ability to do the things most children of the same age can do
CHLIHB42 – child is limited in the ability to do the
things most children can do because of a medical, behavioral, or other health
condition
CHLICO42 – health condition that causes a person to
be limited in the ability to do the things most children can do has lasted
or is expected to last for at least 12 months
CHTHER42 – child needs or gets special therapy such
as physical, occupational, or speech therapy
CHTHHB42 – child needs or gets special therapy because
of a medical, behavioral, or other health condition
CHTHCO42 – health condition that causes a person to
need or get special therapy has lasted or is expected to last for at least
12 months
CHCOUN42 – child has an emotional, developmental,
or behavioral problem for which he or she needs or gets treatment or counseling
CHEMPB42 – problem for which a person needs or gets
treatment or counseling is a condition that has lasted or is expected to
last for at least 12 months
CSHCN42 – identifies children with special health
care needs
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Columbia Impairment Scale (ages 5 - 17)
These questions inquired about possible child behavioral problems and were asked in previous years. Respondents were asked to rate on a scale from 0 to 4, where “0” indicates “No Problem” and “4” indicates “A Very Big Problem”, how much of a problem the child has with thirteen specified activities. A key reference for the Columbia Impairment Scale is:
Bird HR, Andrews H, et. al. “Global Measures of Impairment for Epidemiologic and Clinical Use with Children and Adolescents.” International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, vol. 6, 1996, pp. 295-307.
Certain questions in this series were coded to “Asked, but Inapplicable” (99) when the question was not applicable for a specific child. For example, if a child’s mother was deceased, a question about how much of a problem a child has getting along with his/her mother would be set to “Asked, but Inapplicable” (99). Similarly, the question about problems getting along with siblings would be set to “Asked, but Inapplicable” (99) for children with no siblings. Variables in this set include:
MOMPRO42 – getting along with mother
DADPRO42 – getting along with father
UNHAP42 – feeling unhappy or sad
SCHLBH42 – (his/her) behavior at school
HAVFUN42 – having fun
ADUPRO42 – getting along with adults
NERVAF42 – feeling nervous or afraid
SIBPRO42 – getting along with brothers and sisters
KIDPRO42 – getting along with other kids
SPRPRO42 – getting involved in activities like sports
or hobbies
SCHPRO42 – (his/her) schoolwork
HOMEBH42 – (his/her) behavior at home
TRBLE42 – staying out of trouble
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CAHPS® (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) ages
0 - 17
The health care quality measures were taken from the health plan version of CAHPS®, an AHRQ sponsored family of survey instruments designed to measure quality of care from the consumer’s perspective and had been asked in the 2000 PAQ. While there have been several changes in these questions since 2000 that are discussed in the specific year’s file documentation, there were no changes to these questions from 2006 to 2007. All of the CAHPS® variables refer to events experienced in the last 12 months. The variables included from the CAHPS® are:
CHILCR42 – whether a person had an illness, injury, or condition that needed care right away from a clinic, emergency room, or doctor’s
office
CHILWW42 – how often a person got care as soon as was wanted for an illness, injury, or condition (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHILCR42 = 2, -7, -8, or -9)
CHRTCR42 – whether any appointments were made to see
a doctor or other health provider for routine health care
CHRTWW42 – how often a person got an appointment for routine health care as soon as was wanted (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHRTCR42 = 2, -7, -8, or -9)
CHAPPT42 – how many times a person went to a doctor’s
office or clinic for care
CHNDCR42 – whether the parent or a doctor believed the person needed any care, tests or treatment (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9)
CHNECP42 – how much of a problem it was to get a person the care, tests or treatment that the parent or a doctor believed necessary (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9 or when CHNDCR42 = 2, -7, -8, or -9)
CHLIST42 – how often a person’s doctors or other health providers listened carefully to the parent (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9)
CHEXPL42 – how often a person’s doctors or other health providers explained things in a way the parent could understand (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9)
CHRESP42 – how often a person’s doctors or other health providers showed respect for what the parent had to say (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9)
CHPRTM42 – how often doctors or other health providers spent enough time with a person and parent (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9)
CHHECR42 – rating of health care from 0 to 10 where 0 =Worst health care possible and 10=Best health care possible (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHAPPT42 = 0, -7, -8, or -9)
CHSPEC42 – whether a person needed to see a specialist
CHPRRE42 – how much of a problem it was to see a specialist that child needed to see (coded as “-1 Inapplicable” when
CHSPEC42 = 2, -7, -8, or -9)
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Child Preventive Care (age range depends on question)
A series of questions was asked about amounts and types of preventive care a child may receive when going to see a doctor or other health provider. Questions are asked of children of different age groups depending on the nature of the questions. When a response to a gate question was set to “No” (2), “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), follow-up variables based on the gate question were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). Variables in this set include:
MESHGT42 – doctor or other health provider ever measured child’s height (0 – 17)
WHNHGT42 – when doctor or other health provider measured child’s height (0 – 17)
MESWGT42 – doctor or other health provider ever measured child’s weight (0 – 17)
WHNWGT42 – when doctor or other health provider measured child’s weight (0 – 17)
CHBMIX42 – child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) as based on child’s reported height and weight (6 – 17)
MESVIS42 – doctor or other health provider ever checked child’s vision (3 – 6)
MESBPR42 – Doctor or other health provider ever checked child’s blood pressure (2 – 17)
WHNBPR42 – when doctor or other health provider checked child’s blood pressure (2 – 17)
DENTAL42 – doctor or other health provider ever advised a dental checkup (2 – 17)
WHNDEN42 – when doctor or other health provider advised a dental checkup (2 – 17)
EATHLT42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about child’s eating healthy (2 – 17)
WHNEAT42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about eating healthy (2 – 17)
PHYSCL42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about the amount and kind of exercise, sports or physically active hobbies the child should have (2 – 17)
WHNPHY42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about exercise (2 – 17)
SAFEST42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about using a safety seat when child rides in the car (weight <=
40 pounds or age 0 - 4 if weight is missing)
WHNSAF42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about using a safety seat (weight <=
40 pounds or age 0 - 4 if weight is missing)
BOOST42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about using a booster seat when child rides in the car (weight between 41 and 80 pounds or age > 4 and age <=
9 if weight is missing)
WHNBST42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about using a booster seat (weight between 41 and 80 pounds or age > 4 and age <=
9 if weight is missing)
LAPBLT42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about using lap and shoulder belts when child rides in the car (weight > 80 pounds or age > 9
if weight is missing)
WHNLAP42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about using lap and shoulder belts (weight > 80 pounds or age > 9
if weight is missing)
HELMET42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about the child’s using a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle (2 – 17)
WHNHEL42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about the child’s using a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle (2 – 17)
NOSMOK42 – doctor or other health provider ever given advice about how smoking in the house can be bad for child’s health (0 – 17)
WHNSMK42 – when doctor or other health provider gave advice about how smoking in the house can be bad for the child’s health (0 – 17)
TIMALN42 – during last health care visit, doctor or other health provider spent any time alone with the child (12 – 17)
Beginning in 2001, due to confidentiality concerns and restrictions, the variables
HGTFT42, HGTIN42, WGTLB42 and WGTOZ42, were dropped from the Full-Year file.
Instead, a Body Mass Index (BMI) variable, CHBMIX42, is calculated and included
for children 6-17 years old. Due to a high percentage of missing height data
for children ages 5 and under (30%), these children were given a “-1 Inapplicable” code
for the variable CHBMIX42. CHBMIX42 is included in the 2007 file and on the above
list. Please note: analysts can have access to the height and weight variables
and/or construct a BMI variable of their own through the MEPS Data Center. To
access information on the MEPS Data Center including an application, please go
to the following Web address: meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/onsite_datacenter.jsp.
The steps used to calculate the BMI for children 6-17 are as follows:
- Construct child height and weight variables HGTFT42, HGTIN42, WGTLB42,
and WGTOZ42 based on collected data
- Create a preliminary data set containing height, weight, sex and age
data
- Generate a preliminary child BMI using the preliminary data set and
the procedure for calculating the BMI for children as described
on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
Web site
- Create the child BMI variable CHBMIX42 using the preliminary child
BMI, setting all deceased persons, all persons over 17 years old, and
all persons 5 years old or younger to Inapplicable (-1)
Note that for FY 2007, child height and weight were not top-coded prior to the construction of the preliminary data set. Where height in feet was > 0 and height in inches was missing, the mid-point value for height in inches (6 inches) was assigned to HGTIN42 for use in the calculation of the child BMI. Where height in feet was 0 and height in inches was missing, the preliminary child BMI was set to “Not Ascertained” (-9).
For cases where weight in pounds was between 1 and 20 and weight in ounces was missing (WGTOZ42 in (-7, -8, -9)), the mid-point value for weight in ounces (8 ounces) was assigned to WGTOZ42 for use in the calculation of the child BMI. Where weight in pounds was 0 and weight in ounces was missing, the preliminary child BMI was set to “Not Ascertained” (-9).
This use of the mid-points for inches and ounces ensures that children who have feet but not inches in height and/or pounds but not ounces in weight are included in the BMI calculation.
As indicated in step 2 above, a preliminary SAS data set containing height, weight,
sex, and age data for children 6-17 years old in FY 2007 was created. Two SAS
programs were downloaded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Web site for the purpose of calculating the BMI for children (step 3). These
programs used the preliminary data set of children to generate a preliminary
child BMI based on the 2000 CDC growth charts (www.cdc.gov/growthcharts). These programs used the following formula to calculate the preliminary BMI for children:
Weight in Kilograms / [(Height in Centimeters/100)]2
Note that weight in pounds and ounces was converted to weight in kilograms in the preliminary data set. Similarly, height in feet and inches was converted to height in centimeters in the preliminary data set.
As indicated in step 4 above, the child BMI variable CHBMIX42 was calculated using this preliminary BMI from step 3. Deceased persons, persons > 17 years old, and children younger than 6 years old were set to Inapplicable (-1) for CHBMIX42. Children 6-17 years old with a missing value for height in feet (HGTFT42 is “Refused” (–7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9)) and/or weight in pounds (WGTLB42 is “Refused” (–7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9)) were set to Not Ascertained (-9) for CHBMIX42. Children whose height in feet was 0 and height in inches was missing (HGTIN42 is “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9)) were set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) for CHBMIX42. Children whose weight in pounds was 0 and weight in ounces was missing (WGTOZ42 is “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9)) were set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) for CHBMIX42. All other children 6-17 years old have a calculated BMI for FY 2007.
As in 2006, CHBMIX42 was not top- or bottom-coded or edited.
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2.5.6.7 Preventive Care Variables
For each person, excluding deceased persons, a series of questions was asked about the receipt of preventive care or screening examinations. Questions varied in the applicable age or gender subgroups to which they pertained. The list of variables in this series, along with their applicable subgroup is as follows:
DENTCK53 – on average, frequency of dental check-up
All ages; both genders
BPCHEK53 – how long since last blood pressure check Age > 17;
both genders
BPMONT53 – how many months since last blood pressure check Age > 17; both genders; BPCHEK53 is “Within Past Year” (1) or “Within Past 2 Years” (2)
CHOLCK53 – about how long since last blood cholesterol check by doctor or health professional Age >17;
both genders
CHECK53 – how long since last routine check-up by doctor or other health professional for assessing overall health Age >17;
both genders
NOFAT53 – has a doctor or other health professional had ever advised the person to eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods Age > 17;
both genders
EXRCIS53 – has a doctor had advised the person to exercise more Age > 17;
both genders
FLUSHT53 – how long since last flu vaccination Age >17;
both genders
ASPRIN53 – does the person take aspirin frequently Age > 17;
both genders
NOASPR53 – is taking aspirin unsafe due to a medical condition Age > 17; both genders; ASPRIN53 is “No” (2), “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9)
STOMCH53 – is taking aspirin unsafe due to a stomach-related reason or something else Age > 17;
both genders; NOASPR53=1 (taking aspirin is not safe)
LSTETH53 – has person lost all natural (permanent) teeth Age >17;
both genders
PSA53 – how long since last prostate specific antigen (PSA) test Age >39;
males only
HYSTER53 – had a hysterectomy Age >17; females only
PAPSMR53 – how long since last pap smear test Age >17;
females only
BRSTEX53 – how long since last breast exam Age >17;
females only
MAMOGR53 – how long since last mammogram Age >29;
females only
STOOL53 – ever had a blood stool test performed at home that was provided by doctor or other health professional to determine whether stool contains blood Age >17;
both genders
WHENST53 – when was last time had blood stool test using home kit Age >17;
STOOL53=1 (yes, person had a blood stool test performed at home that was
provided by doctor or other health professional to determine whether stool
contains blood)
BOWEL53 – ever had sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy Age >17;
both genders
WHNBWL53 – when was last sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy Age >17;
BOWEL53=1 (yes, person had sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy)
PHYACT53 – currently spends half hour or more in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least three times a week Age>17;
both genders
BMINDX53 – Adult Body Mass Index (BMI) as based on reported height and weight Age > 17;
both genders
SEATBE53 – wears seat belt when drives or rides in a car Age >15;
both genders
For each of the variables above, a code of “Inapplicable” (-1) was assigned if the person was deceased or if the person did not belong to the applicable subgroups.
Beginning in 2001, due to confidentiality concerns and restrictions, the variables
HGHTFT53, HGHTIN53, WEIGHT53 and WGTEST53, were dropped from the Full-Year
file. Instead, a Body Mass Index (BMI) variable, BMINDX53, is calculated for
adults 18 years of age or older. Please note: analysts can have access to the
height and weight variables and/or construct a BMI variable of their own through
the MEPS Data Center. To access information on the MEPS Data Center including
an application, please go to the following Web address: meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/onsite_datacenter.jsp.
BMI categories for adults are the following:
- Underweight = BMI is less than 18.5,
- Normal Weight = BMI is between 18.5 – 24.9 inclusive,
- Overweight = BMI is between 25.0 – 29.9 inclusive, and
- Obesity = BMI greater than or equal to 30.0
The following formula used to calculate the BMI for adults was taken from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) Web site:
BMI = [Weight in Pounds / (Height in Inches)2 ] * 703
The steps used to calculate the BMI for adults are as follows:
- Construct adult height, weight and weight estimate variables HGHTFT53,
HGHTIN53, WEIGHT53 and WGTEST53
- Create the building block variable ADHGTIN, indicating total height
in inches for adults => 18 years old
- Create the temporary variable MIDWGT, indicating the mid-point value
of a person’s estimate of weight (WGTEST53)
- Create the adult BMI variable BMINDX53 using the building block and
the temporary variable, setting all deceased persons and all persons < 18
years old to Inapplicable (-1)
For FY 2007, adult height and weight were not top- or bottom-coded prior to the construction of the adult BMI.
The building block variable ADHGTIN was calculated as [(HGHTFT53 * 12) + (HGHTIN53)] to indicate total adult height in inches, step 2. Note that ADHGTIN was created for programming efficiency only and is not included in this data release. For cases where height in feet was > 0 (HGHTFT53 > 0) and height in inches was missing (HGHTIN53 in (-7, -8, -9)), the mid-point value for height in inches (6 inches) was used in the calculation of total height in inches [ADHGTIN = (HGHTFT53 * 12) + 6]. This use of the mid-point for inches ensures that adults who have feet but not inches in height are included in the BMI calculation. ADHGTIN was set to Not Ascertained (-9) for all cases where adult height in feet was “Refused”, “Don’t Know”, or “Not Ascertained” (HGHTFT53 in (-7, -8, -9)). Deceased persons and persons whose age was less than 18 years old were set to Inapplicable (-1) for ADHGTIN.
The temporary variable MIDWGT was calculated to indicate the mid-point value of person’s estimate of weight (WGTEST53), step 3. Previously, the value 400, rather than a mid-point, was assigned to MIDWGT where estimate of weight was “400 pounds or more” (WGTEST53 = 18); however, in Panel 12, the ranges for the question asking the respondent’s best guess of person’s weight were revised by collapsing ranges:
- 99 pounds or Less
- 100-149 Pounds
- 150–199 Pounds
- 200–249 Pounds
- 250–299 Pounds
- 300 Pounds or More
To reconcile the difference between the ranges in Panels 11 and 12, WGTEST53 was constructed for both panels using the new weight ranges. Comparable to what was done previously, the value 300, rather than a mid-point, was assigned to MIDWGT where estimate of weight was “300 pounds or more” (WGTEST53 = 6). Note that MIDWGT was created for programming efficiency only and is not included in this data release.
The adult BMI variable BMINDX53 was calculated (step 4) using the building block variable ADHGTIN and adult weight in pounds (WEIGHT53) as follows:
BMINDX53 = [WEIGHT53 / (ADHGTIN)2 ] * 703
For adults whose weight in pounds was “Don’t Know” (WEIGHT53 = -8) and whose estimate of weight was > 0 (WGTEST53 between 1 and 6), MIDWGT was used in the calculation of BMINDX53:
BMINDX53 = [MIDWGT / (ADHGTIN)2 ] * 703
BMINDX53 was set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) for adults whose weight in pounds was “Refused” or “Not Ascertained” (WEIGHT53 in (-7, -9)). BMINDX53 was set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) for adults whose weight in pounds was “Don’t Know” (-8) and whose estimate of weight was “Refused”, “Don’t Know”, or “Not Ascertained” (WGTEST53 in (-7, -8, -9)). BMINDX53 was set to “Not Ascertained” (-9) for adults whose total height in inches was “Not Ascertained” (ADHGTIN = -9). Deceased persons and persons whose age was less than 18 years old were set to “Inapplicable” (-1) for BMINDX53.
As in 2006, BMINDX53 was not top- or bottom-coded or edited.
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2.5.6.8 2007 Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ)
The 2007 Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ), a paper-and-pencil questionnaire, was fielded during Panel 11 Round 4 and Panel 12 Round 2 of the 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). The survey was designed to collect a variety of health status and health care quality measures of adults. All adults age 18 and older as of the Round 2 or 4 interview date (AGE42X >= 18) in MEPS households were asked to complete a SAQ. The questionnaires were administered in late 2007 and early 2008.
The variable SAQELIG indicates the person’s eligibility status for the SAQ. SAQELIG was used to construct the variables based on the SAQ data. SAQELIG was coded “0” (Not Eligible For SAQ) if there was no record for person in the round, if the person was deceased or institutionalized, moved out of the US, moved to a military facility, if the person’s disposition status was inapplicable, or if the person was less than 18 years old. SAQELIG was coded “1” (Eligible For SAQ and Has SAQ Data) if a SAQ record existed for the person in Round 2 (for Panel 12) or Round 4 (for Panel 11). SAQELIG was coded “2” (Eligible For SAQ, But No SAQ Data) if no SAQ record existed for the person in the round.
If a respondent was unable to respond to the SAQ, the questionnaire was completed by a proxy, indicated by the variable ADPRX42 (ADPRX42 > 0). For the SAQ variables, a code of “Inapplicable” (-1) was assigned if a person was not eligible or was eligible but no data existed based on SAQELIG (SAQELIG was coded “0” or “2”). If a person was not assigned a positive SAQ weight, all SAQ variables, with the exception of SAQELIG, were coded “Inapplicable” (-1). When a response to a gate question answer was set to “No” (2), follow-up variables based on the gate question were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). When a gate question answer was set to “Refused” (-7), “Don’t Know” (-8), or “Not Ascertained” (-9), follow-up variable answers were left as reported. A special weight variable (SAQWT07F) has been designed to be used with the SAQ for persons who were age 18 and older at the interview date. This weight adjusts for SAQ non-response and weights to the US civilian noninstitutionalized population (see Section 3.0 “Survey Sample Information” for details). The variables created from the SAQ begin with “AD”.
The language in which the SAQ was completed is indicated by the variable ADLANG42. If the English version of the SAQ was completed, ADLANG42 was coded “1” (English Version SAQ Was Administered). If the Spanish version of the SAQ was completed, or if the English version was translated into Spanish, ADLANG42 was coded “2” (Spanish Version SAQ Was Administered). If the language in which the SAQ was administered was not ascertained, ADLANG42 was coded “-9” (Not Ascertained).
The month, day and year the SAQ was completed are indicated by the variables ADCMPM42, ADCMPD42 and ADCMPY42, respectively.
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Health Care Quality
CAHPS® (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems)
The health care quality measures in the SAQ were taken from the health plan version of CAHPS®, an AHRQ-sponsored family of survey instruments designed to measure quality of care from the consumer’s perspective. All of the variables refer to events experienced in the last 12 months and were asked of adults age 18 and older. The variables included from the CAHPS® are:
ADILCR42 – Had an illness, injury or condition needing care right away from a clinic, emergency room or doctor’s
office
ADILWW42 – If ADILCR42 = 1, how often got care for
an illness, injury or condition as soon as wanted
ADRTCR42 – Any appointment was made to see a doctor
or other health provider for health care
ADRTWW42 – If ADRTCR42 = 1, how often got an appointment
for health care as soon as wanted
ADAPPT42 – Number of times went to doctor’s office
or clinic to get care
ADNDCR42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0, whether you or a doctor
believed you needed any care, tests, or treatment
ADNECP42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0 and ADNDCR42= 1, how much
of a problem it was to get care, tests or treatment you or a doctor believed
necessary
ADLIST42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0, how often health providers
listened carefully to you
ADEXPL42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0, how often health providers
explained things so you understood
ADRESP42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0, how often providers showed
respect for what you had to say
ADPRTM42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0, how often health providers
spent enough time with you
ADHECR42 – If ADAPPT42 > 0, rating of healthcare from
all doctors and other health providers, from 0 (worst health care possible)
to 10 (best health care possible)
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General Health
ADSMOK42 – Currently smoke
ADNSMK42 – If ADSMOK42 = 1, doctor advised
you to quit smoking
ADDRBP42 – Blood pressure has been checked
by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional
ADSPEC42 – Needed to see a specialist
ADPRRE42 – If ADSPEC42 = 1, how much of
a problem it was to see a specialist
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Health Status The SAQ contained three measures
of health status: the Short-Form 12 Version 2 (SF-12v2 (r), a registered
trademark), the Kessler Index (K6) of non-specific psychological
distress, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Key references
for these three measures are:
- Ware, J.E., Kosinski, M., and Keller, S.D. (1996). A 12-item
short-form health survey: Construction of scales and preliminary
tests of reliability
and validity. Medical Care 34:220.
- Kessler, R.C., Andrews, G., Colpe, L.J., Hiripi, E., Mroczek,
D.K., Normand, S.-L., Walters, E.E., and Zaslavsky, A.M. (2002).
Short screening
scales to monitor population prevalence and trends in non-specific
psychological distress. Psychological Medicine 32: 959-976.
- Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R.L., and Williams, J.B. (2003). The
Patient Health Questionnaire-2: Validity of a two-item depressive
screener.
Medical Care 41: 1284-1292.
The SF-12v2 questions are as follows:
ADGENH42 – General health today
ADDAYA42 – During a typical day, limitations
in moderate activities
ADCLIM42 – During a typical day, limitations
in climbing several flights of stairs
ADPALS42 – During past 4 weeks, as result
of physical health, accomplished less than would like
ADPWLM42 – During past 4 weeks, as result
of physical health, limited in kind of work or other activities
ADMALS42 – During past 4 weeks, as result
of mental problems, accomplished less than you would like
ADMWLM42 – During past 4 weeks, as result
of mental problems, limited in kind of work or other activities
ADPAIN42 – During past 4 weeks, pain interfered
with normal work outside the home and housework
ADCAPE42 – During the past 4 weeks, felt
calm and peaceful
ADNRGY42 – During the past 4 weeks, had
a lot of energy
ADDOWN42 – During the past 4 weeks, felt
downhearted and depressed
ADSOCA42 – During the past 4 weeks, physical
health or emotional problems interfered with social activities
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Short-Form 12 Version 2 (SF-12v2)
In analyzing data from the SF-12v2, the standard approach is to form two summary scores based on responses to these questions. The scoring algorithms for both the PCS and the MCS incorporate information from all 12 questions. However, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) weights more heavily responses to the following questions: ADGENH42, ADDAYA42, ADCLIM42, ADPALS42, ADPWLM42, AND ADPAIN42. The Mental Component Summary (MCS) weights more heavily responses to the following questions: ADDOWN42, ADCAPE42, ADMALS42, ADMWLM42, and ADSOCA42. The algorithm for computing the PCS and the MCS summary scores is described in the manual for the SF-12v2:
Ware, Jr., J.E., Kosinski, M., Turner-Bowker, DM, and Gandek, B. How to Score Version 2 of the SF-12 (r) Health Survey. (October, 2002). QualityMetric, Inc., Lincoln, RI.
This manual can be purchased from QualityMetric, Inc. (www.qualitymetric.com). The PCS and MCS cannot be computed directly if a person has missing data for any of the twelve items. QualityMetric has developed a proprietary method for imputing the PCS and MCS scores if some data are missing. PCS and MCS scores calculated according to the standard algorithm and incorporating imputations for some cases with missing data are available for analysts in this file. The PCS-12 score is PCS42, and the MCS-12 score is MCS42. Note that negative values are possible in PCS42 and MCS42 in rare cases. There are no records in 2007 where MCS42 or PCS42 is set to a negative value. Persons who were not eligible for the SAQ, or who were eligible but for whom no data existed based on SAQELIG, or who did not have a positive SAQ weight, were set to “Inapplicable” (-1) for PCS42 and MCS42. (These persons were set to missing in 2002.)
The variables PCS42 and MCS42 include cases in which the scores were imputed. SFFLAG42 indicates whether the physical component summary, PCS42, or the mental component, MCS42, was imputed for a respondent. In some cases the software could not impute a score due to amount of missing data; these cases have SFFLAG42 = 0 (No). (This represents a change from 2002, when these cases had SFFLAG42 = 1 (Yes)). Persons who were not eligible for the SAQ, or who were eligible but for whom no data existed based on SAQELIG, or who did not have a positive SAQ weight, were set to “Inapplicable” (-1) for SFFLAG42. (These persons were set to missing in 2002.)
In 2000, 2001, and 2002, MEPS used Version 1 of the SF-12. The PCS and MCS scores based on Version 1 of the SF-12 in these years were based on norms from 1990. Version 2 scores are based on norms from a 1998 national study. To appropriately compare Version 1 scores with Version 2 scores, Version 1 scores need to be rescaled to 1998 norms. This can be done by adding 1.07897 to PCS scores from Version 1, and by subtracting 0.16934 from Version 1 MCS scores. For full details, please consult the SF-12 reference manual cited above.
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Non-Specific Psychological Distress
The 2007 SAQ includes six mental health-related questions, using the “K-6” scale developed by R.C. Kessler and colleagues. These questions assess the person’s non-specific psychological distress during the past 30 days.
The non-specific psychological distress variables are as follows:
ADNERV42 – During the past 30 days, felt
nervous
ADHOPE42 – During the past 30 days, felt
hopeless
ADREST42 – During the past 30 days, felt
restless or fidgety
ADSAD42 – During the past 30 days, felt
so sad that nothing could cheer the person up
ADEFRT42 – During the past 30 days, felt
that everything was an effort
ADWRTH42 - During the past 30 days, felt worthless
Kessler Index (K6) A summary of the six variables
above provides an index to measure non-specific, rather than disorder-specific,
psychological distress. Using the following values:
- None of the Time
- A Little of the Time
- Some of the Time
- Most of the Time
- All of the Time
The index, called K6SUM42, is a summation of the values of the six variables above. The higher the value of K6SUM42, the greater the person’s tendency towards mental disability.
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2)
The 2007 SAQ includes two additional mental health questions. These questions assess the frequency of the person’s depressed mood and decreased interest in usual activities.
ADINTR42 – During the past two weeks, bothered by
having little interest or pleasure in doing things
ADDPRS42 – During the past two weeks, bothered by
feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
PHQ242 is a summation of the values of the two variables above, with scores ranging from 0 through 6. The higher the value of PHQ242, the greater the person’s tendency towards depression. Kroenke et al. (2004) suggest a score of 3 as the optimal cutpoint for screening purposes. Note that these items are intended as a screening measure for depression and are not equivalent to a DSM-IV diagnosis of depression.
Attitudes about Health
The SAQ included four questions that ascertain certain health-related attitudes. Two items (ADINSA42 and ADINSB42) deal with attitudes toward health insurance. The other two questions (ADRISK42 and ADOVER42) deal with attitudes that might influence decisions to purchase health insurance or to use health services. These items were used in the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey. No editing has been performed for these items.
ADINSA42 – Do not need health insurance
ADINSB42 – Health insurance is not worth the money
it costs
ADRISK42 – More likely to take risks than the average
person
ADOVER42 – Can overcome illness without help from
a medically trained person
Please note that the weighted frequencies displayed in the HC-107 codebook
for the health status variables collected in the SAQ and DCS (as designated
in the variable labels) are based on the full-year 2007 person weight PERWT07F.
However, when using these variables in analysis, weights specific to each of
these sets of questions should be used (SAQWT07F, DIABW07F). For persons who
are not assigned a positive SAQ weight, the SAQ variables are recoded to “Inapplicable” (-1). Please see Section 3.0 “Survey Sample Information” for
details.
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2.5.6.9 Diabetes Care Survey (DCS)
The Diabetes Care Survey (DCS), a self-administered paper-and-pencil questionnaire, was fielded during Panel 11, Round 5 and Panel 12, Round 3. Households received a DCS based on their response to DIABDX53 in the Priority Condition (PC) section in Panel 11 and the Priority Conditions Enumeration (PE) section in Panel 12 of the CAPI instrument, which asks whether the respondent was ever told by a doctor or health professional that he/she had diabetes. Starting in Panel 12, a new item was added to the PC section (PC02A – REFDIAB). This item allows the respondent to indicate that diabetes was reported in the PE section in error (REFDIAB = 2). Respondents were not prompted to confirm or deny the report of diabetes; REFDIAB was set to “2” (Person Does Not Have Diabetes) only if the respondent offered the information. DIABDX is set to “No” (2) and the DCS was not distributed to persons who reported diabetes in error.
As noted above, in Panel 11 all current or institutionalized RU members regardless of age were asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with diabetes. While persons under the age of 18 who reported diabetes did receive the DCS in Panel 11, those data are not included in this release. All DCS variables are set to “Inapplicable” (-1) for all persons under the age of 18.
The DCS asks the same question as DIABDX with responses summarized in the variable DSDIA53. DSDIA53 confirms that the respondent has ever been told by a health professional that he/she had diabetes or sugar diabetes. For a small number of cases DIABDX =YES (1) but DSDIA53 = NO (2). These people do not have a positive DCS weight. The DCS data are unedited, and, therefore, these and other data inconsistencies remain in the data. For all persons 17 years of age or younger, all the DCS variables are set to “Inapplicable” (-1) because there is not an appropriate weight included on the file to make national estimates for this population.
DSA1C53 and DSCKFT53 indicate the number of times the respondent reported having a hemoglobin A1c blood test and his/her feet checked for sores or irritations in 2007, respectively. DSEY0853, DSEY0753, DSEY0653, DSEB0653 and DSEYNV53 indicate the last time the respondent reported having an eye exam in which the pupils were dilated: in 2008, in 2007, in 2006, before 2006, or never, respectively. DSKIDN53 and DSEYPR53 ascertain whether the diabetes has caused kidney or eye problems, respectively. DSDIET53, DSMED53 and DSINSU53 indicate if the respondent reported being treated for his/her diabetes by the following methods: diet, oral medications or insulin, respectively. Note that, prior to 2005, DSA1C53 did not reflect whether the person had a hemoglobin A1c blood test, only whether the person had a hemoglobin A1c test. The four variables that assess different ways the person with diabetes can learn about diabetes care are: PHONE53 (learned care over the phone), NURSE53 (learned care from a nurse), VISIT53 (learned care during a home visit), and REFER53 (learned care from a specialist). There are two variables that indicate how long it has been since the person’s last cholesterol check (CHLCHK53) and how long it has been since the person’s last flu vaccination (FLSHOT53), including persons receiving a flu vaccine shot and those who used the flu vaccine nasal spray.
If a respondent was unable to respond to the DCS, the questionnaire was completed by a proxy (DSPRX53 = 1). A special weight variable (DIABW07F) has been designed to be used with DCS data. This weight adjusts for DCS nonresponse and weights to the number of diabetics in the US civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2007 (see Section 3.0 “Survey Sample Information” for details). Please note that the weighted frequencies displayed in the HC-113 codebook for the health status variables collected in the SAQ and DCS (as designated in the variable labels) are based on the full-year 2007 person weight PERWT07F. However, when using these variables in analysis, weights specific to each of these sets of questions should be used (SAQWT07F, DIABW07F). For persons who are not assigned a positive DCS weight, the DCS variables are recoded to “Inapplicable” (-1). Please see Section 3.0 “Survey Sample Information” for details.
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2.5.7 Disability Days Indicator Variables (DDNWRK31- OTHNDD53)
The Disability Days section of the core interview contains questions about time lost from work or school and days spent in bed because of a physical illness or injury, or a mental or emotional problem. Data were collected on each individual in the household. These questions were repeated in each round of interviews; this file contains data from Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of the MEPS Panel 11 initiated in 2006 and Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of the MEPS Panel 12 initiated in 2007, respectively. The number at the end of the variable name (31, 42 or 53) identifies the rounds in which the information was collected.
The reference period for these questions is the time period between the beginning
of the panel or the previous interview date and the current interview date.
In order to establish the length of a round, analysts are referred to the variables
that indicate the beginning date and ending date of each round ( BEGRFM##,
BEGRFY##, ENDRFM##, and ENDRFY##). Analysts should be aware that
Round 3 is conducted across years. Starting in 2003, the Disability Days variables
reflect only the data pertinent to the calendar year (i.e., the current delivery
year of 2007). Previously, some data from Round 3 pertained to the following
year. Analysts who are interested in examining disability days data across
years can link to other person-level PUFs using the DUPERSID.
The flow of the Disability Days section relies on the person’s age as of the interview date. Therefore, the round-specific constructed age variables (AGE31X, AGE42X, and AGE53X) are used to construct the comparable round-specific Disability Days PUF variables. Due to the age-specific nature of the Disability Days section, age data from other rounds are not used should the person’s age for the round be missing.
The variables DDNWRK31, DDNWRK42, and DDNWRK53 represent the number of times the respondent lost a half-day or more from work because of illness, injury, or mental or emotional problems during Rounds 31, 42, and 53, respectively. A response of “no work days lost” was coded zero; if the respondent did not work, these variables were coded -1 (Inapplicable). The analyst should note that there are cases where EMPST## = 1 or 3 (has current job or job to return to) where DDNOWORK indicates work around the house only. This is because the responses to the Disability Days questions are independent of the responses to the employment questions. Respondents who were less than 16 years old or whose age is missing (AGE##X is set to -1) were not asked about work days lost, thus these variables are also coded -1 (Inapplicable).
WKINBD31, WKINBD42 and WKINBD53 represent the number of work days lost during each round in which the respondent spent at least half of the day in bed. These questions were asked only of persons aged 16 and over. Persons aged 15 or younger and persons whose age is missing received a code of -1 (Inapplicable). If a respondent answered the preceding work loss question with “zero days” or “does not work”, then the corresponding WKINBD question was coded as -1 (Inapplicable).
DDNSCL31, DDNSCL42 and DDNSCL53 indicate the number of times that a respondent
missed a half-day or more of school during Rounds 31, 42, or 53, respectively.
These questions were asked of persons aged 3 to 22; respondents aged less than
3 or older than 22 and persons whose age is missing did not receive these questions
and are coded as -1 on these variables (in a small number of cases this was
not done for the 1996 data, the analyst will need to make this edit when doing
longitudinal analyses). A code of -1 may also indicate that the person does
not attend school. The analyst should be aware that there was no attempt to
reconcile school days lost with the time of year (e.g., summer vacation). In
order to establish time of year, analysts are referred to the variables that
indicate the beginning date and ending date of each round (BEGRFM##, BEGRFY##,
ENDRFM##, and ENDRFY##).
SCLNBD31, SCLNBD42 and SCLNBD53 represent the number of school days lost during each round in which the individual spent at least a half-day in bed. Respondents aged less than 3 or older than 22 and persons whose age is missing did not receive these questions and are coded as -1 on these variables (in a small number of cases this was not done for the 1996 data, the analyst will need to make this edit when doing longitudinal analyses). If a respondent answered the preceding school days lost question with “zero days” or “does not attend school”, then the corresponding SCLNBD question is coded as -1 (Inapplicable).
DDBDYS31, DDBDYS42 and DDBDYS53 represent additional days, other than school or work days, in which the respondent spent at least half a day in bed, because of a physical illness, injury or a mental or emotional problem. These are the only indicators of disability days for persons who do not work or go to school. This question was not asked of children less than one year of age and persons whose age is missing (coded -1).
A final set of variables indicate if an individual took a half-day or more off from work to care for the health problems of another individual in the family. OTHDYS31, OTHDYS42, and OTHDYS53 indicate if a person missed work because of someone else’s illness, injury, or health care needs, for example to take care of a sick child or relative. These variables each have three possible answers: yes - missed work to care for another (coded 1); no – did not miss work to care for another (coded 2); or the person does not work (coded 2), based on responses to the DDNWRK variable for the same round. Respondents younger than 16 and persons whose age is missing were not asked these questions and are coded as -1 (in a small number of cases this was not done for the 1996 data, the analyst will need to make this edit when doing longitudinal analyses).
OTHNDD31, OTHNDD42 and OTHNDD53 indicate the number of days during each round in which work was lost because of another’s health problem. Respondents younger than 16, those whose age is missing, those who do not work, and those who answer “no” to OTHDYS are skipped out of OTHNDD and receive codes of -1.
Note that, because Disability Days variables use only those Round 3 data pertinent to the data year, it is possible to have person report missing work to care for the health problems of another individual (OTHDYS## = 1) but report no days missed (OTHNDD## = 0). This combination indicates that the person did not miss those work days during the data year. For OTHDYS31, a value of ‘0’ indicates that the person missed no work during the 2007 portion of Panel 11 Round 3 (i.e. any missed work days reported here occurred in the 2006 portion of Panel 11 Round 3). For OTHDYS53, a value of ‘0’ indicates that the person missed no work during the 2007 portion of Panel 12 Round 3 (i.e. any missed work days reported here occurred in the 2008 portion of Panel 12 Round 3).
Editing was done on these variables to preserve the skip patterns. No imputation was done for those with missing data.
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2.5.8 Access to Care Variables (ACCELI42- PMDLPR42)
The variables ACCELI42 through PMDLPR42 describe data from the
Access to Care (AC) section of the MEPS HC questionnaire, which
was administered in Panel 11 Round 4 and Panel 12 Round 2. This
supplement serves a number of purposes in the MEPS HC by gathering
information on five main topic areas: family members’ origins and preferred languages; family members’ usual source of health care; characteristics of usual source of health care providers; satisfaction with and access to the usual source of health care provider; and access to medical treatment, dental treatment, and prescription medicines. The variable ACCELI42 indicates whether persons were eligible to receive the Access to Care questions. Persons with ACCELI42 set to ‘-1’ (Inapplicable)
should be excluded from estimates made with the Access to Care
data.
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2.5.8.1 United States Residency
The AC section ascertains whether a person was born in the United States (USBORN42) and, if not, how long they have lived in the United States (USLIVE42). These questions were previously asked only if a language other than English was spoken in the home (AC01), not all members of the household were comfortable speaking English, and only of those persons selected at AC02A as being uncomfortable speaking English. Due to this narrow population, these variables were not included in the 2005 or 2006 Person-Level files. Beginning in 2007, they are asked of all RU members regardless of language most often spoken in the home or whether all household members are comfortable speaking English.
In 2002 to 2004, the variable indicating how long a person has lived in the United States was USLGLV42 and reported a range of years. Beginning in 2007, and because the response is now collected as a specific number of years, the names of the source variable and the constructed variable have changed to reflect the reporting change.
The variable USLIVE42 was top-coded to 85 years to ensure confidentiality. This top-code value is based on the top-code value for edited age (AGE##X). Persons who reported living in the United States for 86 years or more had USLIVE42 set to 85.
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2.5.8.2 Family Members’ Origins
and Preferred Languages
The AC section ascertains what language is most often spoken at home (LANGHM42) and, in Panel 11, those households that prefer to speak Spanish or another language other than English (LANGHM42 = 2 or 3), were asked whether all members of the household are comfortable speaking English (ENGHME42). In Panel 12, all households eligible for the AC section were asked whether all members of the household are comfortable conversing in English. If not all persons in the household are comfortable speaking English, the AC section asks which persons are not comfortable conversing in English (ENGSPK42).
In order to provide comparable data across the two panels and with previous full-year deliveries, ENGHME42 and ENGSPK42 were set to a value other than Inapplicable (-1) only for persons in households where a language other than English is spoken most of the time for both panels.
Analysts also examining 2002 data should note that, in 2002, the variable ENGSPK42 indicated the persons who were comfortable speaking English. Due to a change to the survey in 2003, ENGSPK42 now indicates those persons who are not comfortable speaking English. Therefore, ENGSPK42 = 1 (YES) in 2002 is the same as ENGSPK42 = 2 (NO) in 2003 through the present, and ENGSPK42 = 2 (NO) in 2002 is the same as ENGSPK42 = 1 (YES) in 2003 through the present.
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2.5.8.3 Family Members' Usual Source
of Health Care
For each individual family member, the AC section ascertains whether there is a particular doctor’s office, clinic, health center, or other place that the individual usually goes to if he/she is sick or needs advice about his/her health (HAVEUS42).
YNOUSC42 indicates the main reason why a person does not have a usual source of care (USC) provider. For those family members who do not have a USC provider, question AC07 ascertains the main reason why. The variable YNOUSC42 has the following possible values:
1 Seldom or Never Sick
2 Recently Moved to Area
3 Don’t Know Where to Go
4 USC in Area Not Available
5 Can’t Find Provider Who Speaks Language
6 Goes Different Places for Diff Needs
7 Just Changed Insurance Plans
8 Don’t Use Docs/Treat Self
9 Cost of Medical Care
91 Other Reason
These values reflect the answer categories given at AC07. If persons choose ‘91’ (Other Reason) at AC07, they are asked at AC07OV to provide a verbal explanation of what the main reason is that they do not have a USC provider. These “text strings” can be recoded to one of the existing categorical values listed above or, if the frequency of the response warrants it, additional categorical values. Recoding is described in greater detail below.
Family members without a USC provider are then asked AC08, which ascertains whether there are any additional reasons why. The person may choose one or more reasons. A variable is constructed for each reason why:
NOREAS42 No Other Reason
SELDSI42 Seldom or Never Sick
NEWARE42 Recently Moved to Area
DKWHRU42 Don’t Know Where to Go
USCNOT42 USC in Area Not Available
PERSLA42 Can’t Find Provider Who Speaks
Language
DIFFPL42 Goes Different Places For Diff Needs
INSRPL42 Just Changed Insurance Plans
MYSELF42 Don’t Use Docs/Treat Self
CARECO42 Cost of Medical Care
OTHREA42 Other Reason
These variables reflect the answer categories given at AC08. If persons choose ‘91’ (Other Reason) at AC08, they are asked at AC08OV to provide a verbal explanation of what the additional reason is that they do not have a USC provider. These “text strings” can be recoded to one of the existing yes/no variables listed above or, if the frequency of response warrants it, an additional yes/no variable. Recoding is described in greater detail below.
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2.5.8.4 Characteristics of Usual Source of Health Care Providers
The AC section collects information about the different characteristics of each unique USC provider for a given family. If a person does not have a USC provider (HAVEUS42 is set to ‘2’ (No), ‘-7’ (Refused), ‘-8’ (Don’t Know) or ‘-9’ (Not Ascertained)), then these variables are set to ‘-1’ (Inapplicable).
The basis for the AC provider questions is PROVTY42. This variable indicates whether the person’s provider is a facility (1), a person (2), or a person-in-facility (3). PROVTY42 is a copy of PROVTYPE (Provider Type) for persons who have a USC provider. For facility type providers, FACLPR42, based on the source variable PARTPROV, indicates whether the person sees a particular provider at the facility. In Panel 11 (as in previous years), PARTPROV reflects data collected at the provider level, i.e., every person in the household who shares the same USC provider has PARTPROV set to the same value. In Panel 12, PARTPROV reflects data collected at the USC provider level so the value of PARTPROV reflects the individual’s response and values may vary across household members who share the same USC provider. To keep data consistent, for the 2007 Full Year file all household members in Panel 12 who share the same USC provider had FACLPR42 set to the same value as that of the first household member on the roster who reported that USC provider.
Depending on how PROVTY42 is set, persons are asked about the provider’s location, the provider’s personal characteristics (e.g., race), the provider’s accessibility, and the person’s satisfaction with the provider.
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Provider Location Two variables indicate the location of the provider. For a facility
or a person-in-facility type providers, PLCTYP42 indicates whether
the person’s facility is a Hospital Clinic/Outpatient Department (1), a Hospital Emergency Room (2), or a Non-Hospital Place (3). According to CAPI flow, persons do not report the type of facility for person-type providers. Therefore, if PROVTY42 is set to ‘2’ (Person), PLCTYP42 is set to ‘-1’ (Inapplicable). For all provider types, including person-type, LOCATN42 indicates whether the person’s
provider is located in an Office (1), a Hospital but Not the Emergency
Room (2), or a Hospital Emergency Room (3).
Personal Characteristics of Providers
For person and person-in-facility type providers,
TYPEPE42 indicates what type of doctor or other medical
provider the person’s provider
is. The possible values include:
1 MD – General/Family Practice
2 MD – Internal Medicine
3 MD – Pediatrics
4 MD – OB/Gyn
5 MD – Surgery
6 MD – Other
7 Chiropractor
8 Nurse
9 Nurse Practitioner
10 Physician’s Assistant
11 Other Non-MD Provider
12 Unknown
TYPEPE42 is constructed using variables collected at several questions: AC15 “Is provider a medical doctor?” (PROV.MEDTYPE); AC16 “Is provider a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, midwife, or some other kind of person?” (PROV.OTHTYPE); and AC17 “What is provider’s specialty?” (PROV.MDSPECLT). If persons choose ‘91’ (Other) at AC16 or AC17, they are asked at AC16OV or AC17OV, respectively, to provide a verbal explanation of the type of provider or medical doctor. These “text strings” can be recoded to one of the existing categorical values listed above or, if the frequency of the response warrants it, additional categorical values. Recoding is described in greater detail below.
The AC section also collects demographic information about person and person-in-facility type providers (PROVTY42 = 2 or 3). Six variables indicate the provider’s race: WHITPR42 (white), BLCKPR42 (black/African American), ASIANP42 (Asian), NATAMP42 (Indian/ Native American/Alaska Native), PACISP42 (Other Pacific Islander) and OTHRCP42 (Other Race). The person may choose more than one race for a single provider. These variables reflect the answer categories given at AC19. If persons choose ‘91’ (Some Other Race) at AC19, they are asked AC19OV to provide a verbal explanation of the provider’s race. These “text strings” can be recoded to one of the existing yes/no variables listed above or, if the frequency of response warrants it, an additional yes/no variable. Recoding is described in greater detail below.
In addition to the race variables, two other demographic variables are created: HSPLAP42 indicates whether the provider is Hispanic or Latino, and GENDRP42 indicates whether the provider is Male (1) or Female (2).
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Using Constructed Variables to Describe the Usual Source of Care Provider
These variables describing a person’s USC provider can be used in combination to present a broader picture of the provider. For example, a person-in-facility provider with a particular person named who is a white, Hispanic, female pediatrician, with no other race specified; and whose location is in an office in a hospital is coded as:
PROVTY42 = 3
FACLPR42 = 1
PLCTYP42 = 1
TYPEPE42 = 3
HSPLAP42 = 1
WHITPR42 = 1
BLCKPR42 = 2
ASIANP42 = 2
NATAMP42 = 2
PACISP42 = 2
OTHRCP42 = 2
GENDRP42 = 2
LOCATN42 = 1
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2.5.8.5 Access to and Satisfaction with the Provider
The AC section collects information regarding the
person’s ability to access the USC provider as well as the person’s
satisfaction with the USC provider.
Access to the Provider
Two variables describe the person’s method of traveling to the USC provider. GOTOUS42 indicates how the person travels to the USC provider: ‘Drives’ (1), ‘Is Driven’ (2), ‘Taxi, Bus, Train, Other Public Transportation’ (3), or ‘Walks’ (4). TMTKUS42 indicates how long it takes the person to travel to the USC provider: ‘Less Than 15 Minutes’ (1), ‘15 to 30 Minutes’ (2), ‘31 to 60 Minutes’ (3), ‘61 to 90 Minutes’ (4), ‘91 Minutes to 120 Minutes’ (5), or ‘More than 120 Minutes’ (6).
OFFHOU42, DFTOUS42, PHNREG42, and AFTHOU42 assess aspects of the provider that may make it difficult for the person to get in contact with the USC provider. OFFHOU42 indicates whether the provider has office hours at night or on the weekend. The remaining three variables reflect the person’s rating of the difficulty of accessing the USC provider by travel (DFTOUS42), by phone (PHNREG42), and after hours (AFTHOU42). The person has the following choices: ‘Very Difficult’ (1), ‘Somewhat Difficult’ (2), ‘Not Too Difficult’ (3), or ‘Not at All Difficult’ (4).
Satisfaction with the Provider
These variables reflect the person’s confidence in, and satisfaction with, the USC provider. Four different facets of the person’s level of confidence in the USC provider are examined: Is the provider the person or place family members would go to for new health problems (MINORP42), preventive health care (PREVEN42), referrals to other health professionals (REFFRL42), or ongoing health problems (ONGONG42). The person’s level of satisfaction with the USC provider is examined in six ways: Does the USC provider generally listen to the person and seek the person’s advice when choosing between treatments (TREATM42), ask about and show respect for treatments other doctors may give the person (RESPCT42), ask the person to help make decisions (DECIDE42), explain options to the person (EXPLOP42), and speak the person’s
language or provide translator services (LANGPR42) if the person
prefers to speak in a language other than English (LANGHM42 is set
to 2 (Spanish) or 3 (Another Language)). In 2003, all household members
who share a USC provider and who live in a household where at least
one person was not comfortable speaking English (ENGSPK42 = 2) had
LANGPR42 set. Starting in 2004, only those persons who are not comfortable
speaking English (ENGSPK42 = 1) have LANGPR42 set.
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2.5.8.6 Access to Medical Treatment, Dental Treatment, and Prescription
Medicines
Finally, the Access to Care supplement gathers information on family members’ abilities to receive treatment and receive it without delay. These questions are split into three sections inquiring about medical, dental, and prescription medicine treatments. Each section inquires whether the person was unable to receive treatment (MDUNAB42, DNUNAB42, PMUNAB42) or was delayed in receiving treatment (MDDLAY42, DNDLAY42, PMDLAY42). A value of ‘1’ (Yes) for these two sets of variables indicates that the person needed treatment but was unable to receive it or was delayed in receiving it. A value of ‘2’ (No) for these two sets of variables indicates that either the person did not need treatment or the person needed treatment and was able to receive it without delay. If the person was unable to receive treatment, he/she was asked why (MDUNRS42, DNUNRS42, PMUNRS42). Persons were also asked why they were delayed in receiving treatment (MDDLRS42, DNDLRS42, PMDLRS42). Possible reasons include:
1 Could Not Afford Care
2 Ins Co Would Not Approve/Cover/Pay
3 Doctor Refused Family Ins Plan
4 Problems Getting To Doctor’s Office
5 Different Language
6 Could Not Get Time Off Work
7 DK Where To Go To Get Care
8 Was Refused Services
9 Could Not Get Child Care
10 Did Not Have Time or Took Too Long
91 Other
Finally, persons were also asked how much of a problem not receiving treatment (MDUNPR42, DNUNPR42, PMUNPR42) or being delayed in receiving treatment (MDDLPR42, DNDLPR42, PMDLPR42) was.
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2.5.8.7 Editing the Access to Care Variables
Editing consisted primarily of logical editing for consistency with skip patterns. Other editing included the construction of new response values and new variables describing the recoding of several “other specify” text items into existing or new categorical values, which are described below.
In previous years, not all variables or categories that appear in the Access to Care section of the HC questionnaire are included on the file, as some small cell sizes have been suppressed to maintain respondent confidentiality. No variables or categories were suppressed in 2007.
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2.5.8.8 Recoding of
Additional Other Specify Text Items
For Access to Care items AC07, AC08, AC16, AC17, and AC19, the “other
specify” text responses were reviewed and coded as an existing or
new value for the related categorical variable (for AC07, AC16, and
AC17), or coded as an existing or new “yes/no” variable (for items
AC08 and AC19). Note that, starting in 2005, additional categories
and variables are retained for low frequency responses to allow for
pooling data.
The following are the additional codes or
variables which were created from these other specify text responses.
For item AC07 (“What is the main reason person
does not have a usual source of health care”) - the following additional
values were available for the variable YNOUSC42:
10 Other Insurance Related
Reason
11 Job-Related Reasons
12 Looking for a New Doctor
13 Doctor is Located Elsewhere
14 Don’t Like/Don’t Trust Doctors
15 Health-Related Reasons
16 Newborn-No Doctor Yet
17 Self, Relative, or Friend is a Doctor
19 Care Available on Job
20 Will Not Go to the Doctor
21 Problems with Time and Transportation
22 Person Goes to a Hospital, Clinic, or Emergency Room
23 Uses Alternative Care
For item AC08 (“What are the other reasons
person does not have a usual source of health care”) – the following
additional variables were constructed:
OTHINS42 for other insurance reasons;
JOBRSN42 for job-related reasons;
NEWDOC42 is looking for a doctor;
DOCELS42 doctor is located elsewhere;
NOLIKE42 does not like doctor;
HEALTH42 health-related reasons;
KNOWDR42 the person knows or is a doctor;
ONJOB42 works with medical personnel;
NOGODR42 person will not go to the doctor;
TRANS42 the person had problems finding
transportation or time;
CLINIC42 the person goes to a hospital,
clinic, or emergency room.
OTHTYPE and MDSPECLT are used to construct
the variable TYPEPE42. Unlike the other recoded variables, these
variables’ text strings can be recoded to each other’s categories.
For example, for persons who indicate that their USC provider is
not a medical doctor (PROV.MEDTYPE = 2), the other type of USC provider
is other (PROV.OTHTYPE = 91), and the text string collected is “GYNECOLOGIST”,
TYPEPE42 would be set to ‘4’ (MD – OB/GYN) instead of ‘11’ (OTHER
NON-MD PROVIDER.)
Note that, in the 2006 data, the frequency
of HEALTH42 reflected only “inapplicable” (-1) and “no” (2) responses;
there were no “yes” (1) responses and HEALTH42 was not included
in that release. In 2007, there were “yes” (1) responses, so HEALTH42
is included on this release.
The following additional categories were
available for TYPEPE42:
13 MD – Cardiologist
14 Doctor of Osteopathy
15 MD – Endocrinologist
16 MD – Gastroenterologist
17 MD – Geriatrician
18 MD – Nephrologist
19 MD – Oncologist
20 MD – Pulmonologist
21 MD – Rheumatologist
22 Psychiatrist/Psychologist
23 MD – Neurologist
24 Alternative Care Provider
Text responses at AC19 were not coded as
new responses or new variables.
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2.5.9 Employment Variables
(EMPST31-YNOINS53)
Employment questions were asked of all persons 16 years and older
at the time of the interview. Employment variables consist of person-level
indicators such as employment status and job-related variables such
as hourly wage. All job-specific variables refer to a person’s current
main job. The current main job, defined by the respondent, indicates
the main source of employment.
Most employment variables pertain to the
round interview date. The round dates are indicated by two numbers
following the variable name; the first number representing the round
for Panel 11 persons, the second number representing the round for
Panel 12 persons. For example, EMPST31 refers to employment status
on the Round 3 interview date for Panel 11 persons and employment
status on the Round 1 interview date for Panel 12 persons.
With the exception of some health insurance
and wage variables, no attempt has been made to logically edit any
employment variables. When missing, values were imputed for certain
persons’ hourly wages. Due to confidentiality concerns, hourly wages
greater than or equal to $70.91 were top-coded to –10 and the number
of employees variable was top-coded at 500. With the exception of
a variable indicating whether the employer has more than one location
(MORE), all employer-specific variables refer to the establishment
that is the location of a person’s current main job.
The MEPS employment section used dependent
interviewing in Rounds 2 through 5. If employment status and certain
job characteristics did not change from the previous round, as identified
in the review of employment section, the respondent was skipped
through the main employment section. A code of “–2” is used to indicate
that the information in question was obtained in a previous round.
For example, if the HRWG42X (Round 4 interview date hourly wage
for Panel 11 persons or Round 2 interview date hourly wage for Panel
12 persons) is coded as “–2”, refer to HRWG31X (Round 3 interview
date hourly wage for Panel 11 persons or Round 1 interview date
hourly wage for Panel 12 persons) for the value for HRWG42X. Note
that there may be a value for the Round 3/1 hourly wage or there
may be an “Inapplicable” code (-1). The “–2” value for HRWG42X indicates
that the person was skipped past the question at the time of the
subsequent interview. To determine who should be skipped through
various employment questions, certain information, such as employment
status, had to be asked in every round and, thus, “-2” codes do
not apply to employment status. Additionally, information on whether
the person currently worked at more than one job or whether the
person held health insurance from a current main employer was asked
in every round, and, therefore, those variables also have no “–2” codes.
For Panel 11 persons who have a current main
job in Round 3 that continues from Round 1 or 2, the “–2” code is
not sufficient for those variables that the person was skipped past
at the time of the interview. This is because the Panel 11 Round
1 and 2 data are not included on this release and therefore there
are no data to refer to. For such persons, the values for the variables
for these skipped questions are copied from the Round 1 or 2 constructed
variable on the 2006 Full Year Public Use Release, depending on
the round in which the job first became the current main job. The
accompanying variable RNDFLG31 indicates the round in which these
data were collected. For example, if the person has a Round 3 current
main job that continues from Round 2 and was first reported as the
current main job in Round 2, HRWG31X will be a copy of the HRWG42X
variable from the 2006 Full Year Public Use Release and RNDFLG31
will be “2”, indicating the round in which the job was first reported
as the current main job.
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Employment Status (EMPST31, EMPST42,
and EMPST53)
Employment status was asked for all persons
age 16 or older. Allowable responses to the employment status questions
were as follows:
- “currently employed” if the person had
a job at the interview date;
- “has a job to return to” if the person
did not work during the reference period but had a job to return
to as of the interview date;
- “employed during the reference period” if
the person had no job at the interview date but did work during
the round;
- “not employed with no job to return to” if
the person did not have a job at the interview date, did not work
during the reference period, and did not have a job to which he
or she could return.
These responses were mutually exclusive.
A current main job was defined for persons who either reported that
they were currently employed and identified a current main job or
who reported and identified a job to return to. Therefore, job-specific
information such as hourly wage exists for persons not presently
working at the interview date but who have a job to return to as
of the interview date.
The analyst should note that there are cases
where EMPST## = 1 or 3 (has current job or job to return to) where
DDNOWORK indicates work around the house only. This is because the
responses to the Disability Days questions are independent of the
responses to the employment questions.
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Data Collection Round for Round 3/1 CMJ (RNDFLG31)
As mentioned above, for Panel 11, if a person’s Round 3 current main
job (CMJ) is a continuation CMJ from Round 2 or Round 1, the value
of most “31” variables will be copied forward from the variable representing
the round in which the job was first reported as the CMJ. For persons
in Panel 11, RNDFLG31 indicates the round in which the Round 3 CMJ
was first reported as the CMJ and provides a timeframe for the reported
wage information and other job details. RNDFLG31 is used with many “31” variables
to indicate the round on which the reported information is based.
RNDFLG31 is set to “Inapplicable” (–1) for
persons in either panel who are under age 16 or who do not have
a CMJ in Panel 11 Round 3 or Panel 12 Round 1. For persons who are
part of Panel 11, RNDFLG31 is also set to “Inapplicable” (–1) if
the person is out-of-scope in the 2007 portion of Round 3. For persons
who are part of Panel 12, RNDFLG31 is also set to “Inapplicable” (–1)
if the person is out-of-scope in Round 1. For persons who are part
of Panel 11, other values for RNDFLG31 are set as follows:
- continuing Round 3 CMJs reported first
in Round 1;
- continuing Round 3 CMJs reported first
in Round 2;
- jobs newly reported as current main in
Round 3;
- Round 3 CMJ is a continuation CMJ (wage
information and other details were not collected in Round
3) but the Round 2 CMJ record either does not exist or is not
the same
job. This can occur in rare instances because corrections
made to a person’s record in a current file cannot be made to
that record in an earlier file due to data base processing constraints.
Corrections are made based on respondent comments in subsequent
rounds that affect employment information previously reported.
For persons who are part of Panel 12 and
reported a Round 1 CMJ, RNDFLG31 is set to “1” indicating that the
job information represented in the “31” variables was collected
in Round 1.
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Self-Employed (SELFCM31, SELFCM42,
and SELFCM53)
Information on whether an individual was
self-employed at the current main job was obtained for all persons
who reported a current main job. Certain questions, namely those
regarding benefits and hourly wage, were not asked of the self-employed.
Variables constructed from these questions indicate whether the
establishment reported by wage earners (those not self-employed)
as the main source of employment offered any of the following benefits:
- Paid leave to visit a doctor (PAYDR31,
PAYDR42, and PAYDR53)
- Paid sick leave (SICPAY31, SICPAY42, and
SICPAY53)
- Paid vacation (PAYVAC31, PAYVAC42, and
PAYVAC53)
- Pension plan (RETPLN31, RETPLN42, and
RETPLN53)
For persons who were self-employed at their
current main job, these benefits variables were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
Additionally, information on whether the firm had more than one
business location (MORE31, MORE42, and MORE53) and whether the establishment
was a private for-profit, nonprofit, or a government entity (JOBORG31,
JOBORG42, and JOBORG53) was not applicable for self-employed persons.
Conversely, the variables that identify whether a business was incorporated,
a proprietorship, or a partnership (BSNTY31, BSNTY42, and BSNTY53)
applied only to those who were self-employed at their current main
job.
Hourly wage (HRWG31X, HRWG42X, HRWG53X),
Wage Update Variable (DIFFWG31, DIFFWG42, DIFFWG53), and Updated
Hourly Wage (NHRWG31, NHRWG42, NHRWG53)
Hourly wage was asked of all persons who
reported a current main job that was not self-employment (SELFCM).
HRWG31/42/53X provide the wage amount reported initially for a person’s
current main job. If a current main job continues into subsequent
rounds DIFFWG31/42/53 indicate if the wage has changed since the
previous round. If the job continues and there is a different wage
at that job, NHRWG31/42/53 indicate the new wage amount.
Some wage information was logically edited
for consistency. Edits were performed under three circumstances:
- in cases where a respondent updated a wage,
indicating as the reason for the change that the amount reported
in a previous round was in error, and then provided the corrected
amount for the previous round
- in some cases where wages reported as
less than $1.00 per hour are updated in a subsequent round to
greater than $1.00, and the wage increased by a factor of 10 or
100 (for example, if a Round 4 wage is updated to $20.00, the
Round 3 wage of $0.20 could logically be updated to $20.00); in
some of these cases, additional comments may have also indicated
an error
- in some cases where wages changed substantially
from round to round and a keying error was evident (for example, ‘the
number of hours on which the salary is based’ is updated from ‘40’ to ‘4’;
the ‘4’ could logically be updated to ‘40’)
In all cases that result in an edit, a complete
review of wage and employment history is performed; in some cases,
comparisons are made to employment at similar establishments within
the MEPS as well as to data reported and summarized by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
The initial hourly wage variables (HRWG31X,
HRWG42X, HRWG53X) on this file should be considered along with their
accompanying variables – HRHOW31, HRHOW42, and HRHOW53 – which indicate
how the respective round hourly wage was constructed. Hourly wage
could be derived, as applicable, from a large number of source variables.
In the simplest case, hourly wage was reported directly by the respondent.
For other persons, construction of the hourly wage was based upon
salary, the time period on which the salary was based, and the number
of hours worked per time period. If the number of hours worked per
time period was not available, a value of 40 hours per week was
assumed, as identified in the HRHOW variable.
The initial hourly wage variable HRWG31/42/53X
was imputed using a weighted sequential hot-deck procedure for those
identified as having a current main job who were not self-employed
and who did not know their wage or refused to report a wage. Hourly
wage for persons for whom employment status was not known was coded
as “Not Ascertained” (-9). Additionally, wages were imputed for
wage earners reporting a wage range and not a specific value. For
each of these persons, a value was imputed from other persons on
the file who did report a specific value that fell within the reported
range. The variables HRWGIM31, HRWGIM42, and HRWGIM53 identify persons
whose wages were imputed. Note that wages were imputed only for
persons with a positive person and/or positive family weight.
The variable DIFFWG31/42/53 indicates whether
a person’s wage amount was different in the current round at a continuing,
current main job. NHRWG31/42/53 contains the updated wage amount
in cases where a person indicates a change in wages (DIFFWG = 1).
While the question regarding wage changes pertains to the primary
wage at the main job, occasionally respondents update their supplemental
wage at the main job. In these cases, users should note that HRWG31/42/53X
and NHRWG31/42/53 may not differ. Users may wish to refer to the
2007 Full-Year Jobs PUF to obtain the reason for the wage change
by linking on DUPERSID for the appropriate round.
For all Panel 12 Round 1 persons, DIFFWG31
and NHRWG31 are set to ‘inapplicable’ because this was the first
round that wages could be reported for those persons. In Rounds
2 through 5, no imputation was performed on NHRWG31/42/53. Instead,
where an updated wage amount is ‘not known’ or is ‘refused,’ NHRWG31/42/53
is set to ‘not ascertained.’ For persons whose hourly wage variable
HRWG31/42/53X was imputed and the respondent provides an updated
wage amount in a subsequent round, the new wage, NHRWG31/42/53,
is not presented. Instead, NHRWG31/42/53 is set to ‘-13’ to indicate
that the initial HRWG31/42/53X was imputed. Users may wish to refer
to the 2007 Full-Year Jobs PUF to obtain updated wage amounts for
these jobs.
For reasons of confidentiality, the hourly
wage variables were top-coded. A value of –10 indicates that the
hourly wage was greater than or equal to $70.91. As of Full-Year
2004, the wage top-code process used the highest reported wage on
the file for an individual regardless of whether it was reported
in an HRWG31/42/53X or NHRWG31/42/53X variable. Prior to Full-Year
2004, only the initial reported wage in Rounds 3 or 1 (HRWG31X)
was used to calculate the wage top-code amount. Also beginning with
the 2004 file, all wages for a person were top-coded if any wage
variable was above the top-code amount.
In order to protect the confidentiality of
persons across deliveries, the same top-code amount used in this
Full-Year Use file was also applied to the Full-Year 2007 Jobs file.
Because a person can have other jobs besides a current main job
which are included in the corresponding 2007 Full Year Jobs PUF,
wages at these other jobs had to be reviewed in the top-coding process.
In some cases for these persons, wages reported at the current main
job were below the top-code amount while the wage at another job
had to be top-coded. To further protect the confidentiality of such
persons across deliveries, wages reported at all jobs in the Full-Year
2007 Jobs PUF were top-coded and the wages at their current main
job (HRWG31/42/53X and NHRWG31/42/53) included in this file were
also top-coded.
Health Insurance (HELD31X, HELD42X,
HELD53X, OFFER31X, OFFER42X, OFFER53X, CHOIC31, CHOIC42, CHOIC53,
DISVW31X, DISVW42X, DISVW53X, OFREMP31, OFREMP42, OFREMP53, YNOINS31,
YNOINS42, YNOINS53)
There are several employment-related health
insurance measures included in this release: health insurance held
at a current main job (HELD31X, HELD42X, HELD53X), health insurance
offered through a current main job (OFFER31X, OFFER42X, OFFER53X),
and a choice of health plans available through the current main
job (CHOIC31, CHOIC42, CHOIC53).
Several persons indicated that they held
health insurance through a current main job in the employment section
and then denied this coverage later in the interview in the health
insurance section. Employment section health insurance HELD variables
were edited for consistency to match the health insurance measures
obtained in the health insurance section. To allow for easy identification
of these individuals, round-specific flag variables were constructed
(DISVW31X, DISVW42X, DISVW53X).
Responses in the employment section for health
insurance held were recoded to be consistent with the variables
in the health insurance section of the survey. Due to questionnaire
skip patterns, the responses to health insurance offered were affected
by editing the HELD variable. For example, if a person responded
that health insurance was held from a current main job, the question
relating to whether health insurance was offered was skipped. For
persons who responded in the employment section that they held health
insurance coverage and then disavowed the coverage in the health
insurance section, it could not be ascertained whether they were
offered a policy. These individuals are coded as –9 for the OFFER
variables.
In the first round in which a person is reported
as having a specific CMJ, MEPS asks if the person holds health insurance
through that job. If the person does not hold insurance, then a
follow-up question is asked as to whether the person was offered
insurance (but declined coverage). However, if a person does hold
insurance, then that person is skipped over the offered question
and the offer variable (OFFER31X, OFFER42X, OFFER53X) is automatically
set to “Yes” (1).
In the rounds after a CMJ is initially reported,
the “held” question is asked again in each interview (whether a
person now holds insurance). This is to determine if there has been
any change in coverage. Respondents with a continuing job who did
not have coverage in the current round are asked if they were offered
insurance. This current round information can also affect the setting
of the DISVW variable as well.
In addition to this modification to OFFER,
MEPS includes several clarifying questions regarding insurance availability
to the jobholder through an employer. When a respondent indicates
that the jobholder neither held nor was offered health insurance
at the job, the respondent is asked if any other employees at the
job were offered health insurance. The variable OFREMP31/42/53 indicates
whether an employer offered health insurance to other employees
at a firm. If a respondent indicates that other employees were eligible
for health insurance, a follow-up question is asked to determine
the reason the jobholder was not eligible for coverage. This information
is contained in the YNOINS31/42/53 variable. The questions related
to both of these variables are asked when a job is initially reported
and also for subsequent rounds in which the job continues, as applicable.
Data users should note that OFREMP31/42/53
is automatically set to ‘1’ in cases where HELD and OFFER are ‘1,’ thus
indicating that the jobholder has health insurance coverage through
the employer, that coverage is offered to the employee, and that
the employer offers insurance to its employees.
The employment-related insurance variables,
HELD, OFFER, DISVW, OFREMP, and YNOINS, for each round are logically
edited for consistency.
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Hours (HOUR31, HOUR42, HOUR53)
The hours measure refers to usual hours worked
per week at the current main job. Note that, in cases where the
respondent estimated hours worked per week at 35 hours or more,
HOUR31, HOUR42, and HOUR53 were set to ‘40.’
Temporary (TEMPJB31, TEMPJB42, TEMPJB53)
and Seasonal (SSNLJB31, SSNLJB42, SSNLJB53) Jobs
The temporary job variables (TEMPJB31, TEMPJB42,
TEMPJB53) indicate whether a current main job lasts for only a limited
amount of time or until the completion of a project.
The seasonal job variables (SSNLJB31, SSNLJB42,
SSNLJB53) indicate whether the CMJ is only available during certain
times of the year. SSNLJB is “YES” (‘1’) if the job is only available
during certain times of the year, SSNLJB is “NO” (‘2’) if the job
is year round. Teachers and other school personnel who work only
during the school year are considered to work year round.
Both variables are set on current main jobs
whether a person is self-employed or not. Both are constructed based
on questions that are round-specific, i.e., the questions are asked
when a job is newly reported and when it is reviewed in subsequent
rounds, even when the job ends in that round.
Number of Employees (NUMEMP31, NUMEMP42,
NUMEMP53)
NUMEMP indicates the number of employees at
the location of the person’s current main job. Due to confidentiality
concerns, this variable indicating the number of employees at the
establishment has been top-coded at 500 or more employees. For persons
who reported a categorical size, a median estimated size from donors
within the reported range is used.
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Other Employment Variables
Information about industry and occupation types for a person’s current
main job at the interview date is also contained in this release.
Based on verbatim text fields collected during the interview, numeric
industry and occupation codes are assigned by trained coders at the
Bureau of the Census. Census uses 2003 Census Industry and Occupation
Coding schemes, which were developed for the Bureau’s Current Population
Survey and American Community Survey. Users should note that FY2007
coding is comparable to the FY2002 through FY2006 coding, but not
coding prior to FY2002.
Current main jobs were initially coded at
the 4-digit level for both industry and occupation. Then, for confidentiality
reasons, these codes were condensed into broader groups for release
on the file. INDCAT31, INDCAT42, and INDCAT53 represent the condensed
industry codes for a person’s current main job at the interview
date. OCCCAT31, OCCCAT42, and OCCCAT53 represent the condensed occupation
codes for a person’s current main job at the interview date.
This release incorporates crosswalks showing
how the detailed 2003 Census industry and occupation codes were
collapsed into the condensed codes on the file, in both HTML and
PDF formats. The same type of crosswalk is included for the pre-2002
file condensed codes, collapsed from the 1990 Census categories.
Information indicating whether a person belonged
to a labor union (UNION31, UNION42, and UNION53) is also contained
in this release.
The day, month, and year that the current
main job started for Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of Panel 11 and Rounds 1,
2, and 3 of Panel 12 are provided in this release (STJBDD31, STJBMM31,
STJBYY31, STJBDD42, STJBMM42, STJBYY42, STJBDD53, STJBMM53, and
STJBYY53).
There are two measures included in this release
that relate to a person’s work history over a lifetime. One indicates
whether a person ever retired from a job as of the Round 5 interview
date for Panel 11 persons or the Round 3 interview date for Panel
12 persons (EVRETIRE). The other indicates whether a person ever
worked for pay as of the Round 5 interview date for Panel 11 persons
or the Round 3 interview date for Panel 12 persons (EVRWRK). The
latter was asked of everyone who indicated that they were not working
as of the round interview date. Therefore, anyone who indicated
current employment or who had a job during any of the previous or
current rounds was skipped past the question identifying whether
the person ever worked for pay. These individuals were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
All persons who ever reported a job and were 55 years or older as
of the round interview date were asked if they “ever retired”. Since
both of these variables are not round specific, there are no “–2” codes.
This release contains variables indicating
the main reason a person did not work since the start of the reference
period (NWK31, NWK42, and NWK53). If a person was not employed at
all during the reference period (at the interview date or at any
time during the reference period) but was employed some time prior
to the reference period, the person was asked to choose from a list
the main reason he or she did not work during the reference period.
The “Inapplicable” (-1) category for the NWK variables includes:
- Persons who were employed during the reference
period;
- Persons who were not employed during the
reference period and who were never employed;
- Persons who were out-of-scope the entire
reference period and;
- Persons who were less than 16 years old.
A measure of whether an individual had more
than one job on the round interview date (MORJOB31, MORJOB42, and
MORJOB53) is provided on this release. In addition to those under
16 and those individuals who were out-of-scope, the “Inapplicable” category
includes those who did not report having a current main job. Because
this is not a job-specific variable, there are no “–2” codes.
This release contains variables indicating
if a current main job changed between the third and fourth rounds
for Panel 11 persons or between the first and second rounds for
Panel 12 persons (CHGJ3142) and between the fourth and fifth rounds
for Panel 11 persons or between the second and third rounds for
Panel 12 persons (CHGJ4253). In addition to the “Inapplicable”, “Refused”, “Don’t
Know”, and “Not Ascertained” categories, the change job variables
were coded to represent the following:
- person left previous round current main
job and now has a new current main job;
- person still working at the previous
round’s current main job but, as of the new round, no longer
considers this job to be the current main job and defines a
new main job
(previous round’s current main job is now a current miscellaneous
job);
- person left previous round’s current
main job and does not have a new job;
- person did not change current main job.
Finally, this release contains the reason
given by the respondent for the job change (YCHJ3142 and YCHJ4253).
The reasons for a job change were listed in the CAPI questionnaire
and a respondent was asked to choose the main reason from this list.
In addition to those out-of-scope, those under 16, and those not
having a current main job, the “Inapplicable” category for YCHJ3142
and YCHJ4253 includes workers who did not change jobs.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10 Health Insurance Variables (TRIJA07X-RTPLN42)
2.5.10.1 Monthly Health Insurance Indicators
(TRIJA07X-INSDE07X)
Constructed and edited variables are provided that indicate any coverage
in each month of 2007 for the sources of health insurance coverage
collected during the MEPS interviews (Panel 11, Rounds 3 through 5
and Panel 12, Rounds 1 through 3). In Rounds 2, 3, 4, and 5, insurance
that was in effect at the previous round’s interview date was reviewed
with the respondent. Most of the insurance variables have been logically
edited to address issues that arose during such reviews in Rounds
2, 3, 4, and 5. One edit to the private insurance variables corrects
for a problem concerning covered benefits that occurred when respondents
reported a change in any of their private health insurance plan names.
Additional edits address issues of missing data on the time period
of coverage for both public and private coverage that was either reviewed
or initially reported in a given round. Additional edits, described
below, were performed on the Medicare and Medicaid or State Children’s
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) variables to assign persons to coverage
from these sources. Observations that contain edits assigning persons
to Medicare or Medicaid/SCHIP coverage can be identified by comparing
the edited and unedited versions of the Medicare and Medicaid/SCHIP
variables. Starting October 1, 2001, persons 65 years and older have
been able to retain TRICARE coverage in addition to Medicare. Therefore,
unlike in earlier MEPS public use files, persons 65 years and older
do not have their reported TRICARE coverage (TRIJA07X – TRIDE07X)
overturned. TRICARE acts as a supplemental insurance for Medicare,
similar to Medigap insurance.
Public sources include Medicare, TRICARE,
Medicaid, SCHIP, and other public hospital/physician coverage. State-specific
program participation in non-comprehensive coverage (STAJA07– STADE07)
was also identified but is not considered health insurance for the
purpose of this survey.
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Medicare
Medicare (MCRJA07 – MCRDE07) coverage was
edited (MCRJA07X – MCRDE07X) for persons age 65 or over. Within
this age group, individuals were assigned Medicare coverage if:
- They answered “Yes” to a follow-up question
on whether they received Social Security benefits; or
- They were covered by Medicaid/SCHIP, other
public hospital/physician coverage or Medigap coverage; or
- Their spouse was age 65 or over and covered
by Medicare; or
- They reported TRICARE coverage.
Note that age (AGE##X) is checked for edited
Medicare, however date of birth is not considered. Edited Medicare
is somewhat imprecise with regard to a person’s 65th birthday.
Return To Table Of Contents
Medicaid/SCHIP and Other Public Hospital/Physician Coverage
Questions about other public hospital/physician
coverage were asked in an attempt to identify Medicaid or SCHIP
recipients who may not have recognized their coverage as such. These
questions were asked only if a respondent did not report Medicaid
or SCHIP directly. Respondents reporting other public hospital/physician
coverage were asked follow-up questions to determine if their coverage
was through a specific Medicaid HMO or if it included some other
managed care characteristics. Respondents who identified managed
care from either path were asked if they paid anything for the coverage
and/or if a government source paid for the coverage.
The Medicaid/SCHIP variables (MCDJA07– MCDDE07)
have been edited (MCDJA07X – MCDDE07X) to include persons who paid
nothing for their other public hospital/physician insurance when
such coverage was through a Medicaid HMO or reported to include
some other managed care characteristics.
To assist users in further editing sources
of insurance, this file contains variables constructed from the
other public hospital/physician series that measure whether:
- The respondent reported some type of managed
care and paid something for the coverage, Other Public A Insurance
(OPAJA07 – OPADE07); and
- The respondent did not report any managed
care, Other Public B Insurance (OPBJA07 – OPBDE07).
The variables OPAJA07 – OPADE07 and OPBJA07 – OPBDE07
are provided only to assist in editing and should not be used to
make separate insurance estimates for these types of insurance categories.
Any Public Insurance in Month
The file also includes summary measures that
indicate whether or not a sample person has any public insurance
in a month (PUBJA07X – PUBDE07X). Persons identified as covered
by public insurance are those reporting coverage under TRICARE,
Medicare, Medicaid or SCHIP, or other public hospital/physician
programs. Persons covered only by state-specific programs that did
not provide comprehensive coverage (STAJA07 – STADE07), for example,
the Maryland Kidney Disease Program, were not considered to have
public coverage when constructing the variables PUBJA07X – PUBDE07X.
Return To Table Of Contents
Private Insurance
Variables identifying private insurance in
general (PRIJA07 – PRIDE07) and specific private insurance sources
[such as employer/union group insurance (PEGJA07 – PEGDE07); non-group
(PNGJA07 – PNGDE07); and other group (POGJA07 – POGDE07)] were constructed.
Private insurance sources identify coverage in effect at any time
during each month of 2007. Separate variables identify covered persons
and policyholders (policyholder variables begin with the letter “H”,
e.g., HPEJA07 – HPEDE07). These variables indicate coverage or policyholder
status within a source and do not distinguish between persons who
are covered or are policyholders on one or more than one policy
within a given source. In some cases, the policyholder was unable
to characterize the source of insurance (PDKJA07 – PDKDE07). Covered
persons (but not policyholders) are identified when the policyholder
is living outside the RU (POUJA07 – POUDE07). An individual was
considered to have private health insurance coverage if, at a minimum,
that coverage provided benefits for hospital and physician services
(including Medigap coverage). Sources of insurance with missing
information regarding the type of coverage were assumed to contain
hospital/physician coverage. Persons without private hospital/physician
insurance were not counted as privately insured. Coverage indicated
by these variables may be from any type of job where the employment
section insurance variables delivered on this file reflect only
coverage through a current main job.
Health insurance through a job or union (PEGJA07 – PEGDE07,
PRSJA07 – PRSDE07) was initially asked about in the Employment Section
of the interview and later confirmed in the Health Insurance Section.
Respondents also had an opportunity to report employer and union
group insurance (PEGJA07 – PEGDE07) for the first time in the Health
Insurance Section, but this insurance was not linked to a specific
job.
All insurance reported to be through a job
classified as self-employed with firm size of 1 (PRSJA07 – PRSDE07)
was initially reported in the Employment Section and verified in
the Health Insurance Section. Unlike the other employment-related
variables (PEGJA07 – PEGDE07), self-employed-firm size 1 (PRSJA07 – PRSDE07)
health insurance could not be reported in the Health Insurance section
for the first time. The variables PRSJA07 – PRSDE07 have been constructed
to allow users to determine if the insurance should be considered
employment-related.
Private insurance that was not employment-related
(POGJA07 – POGDE07, PNGJA07 – PNGDE07, PDKJA07 – PDKDE07 and POUJA07 – POUDE07)
was reported in the Health Insurance section only.
Return To Table Of Contents
Any Insurance in Month
The file also includes summary measures that
indicate whether or not a person has any insurance in a month (INSJA07X – INSDE07X).
Persons identified as insured are those reporting coverage under
TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, or other public hospital/physician
or private hospital/physician insurance (including Medigap plans).
A person is considered uninsured if not covered by one of these
insurance sources.
Persons covered only by state-specific programs
that provide non-comprehensive coverage (STAJA07 – STADE07), for
example, the Maryland Kidney Disease Program, and those without
hospital/physician benefits (for example, private insurance for
dental or vision care only, or for accidents or specific diseases)
were not considered to be insured when constructing the variables
INSJA07X – INSDE07X.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10.2 Summary Insurance Coverage Indicators
(PRVEV07 - INSCOV07)
The variables PRVEV07-UNINS07 summarize health
insurance coverage for the person in 2007 for the following types
of insurance: private (PRVEV07); TRICARE (TRIEV07); Medicaid or
SCHIP (MCDEV07); Medicare (MCREV07); other public A (OPAEV07); other
public B (OPBEV07). Each variable was constructed based on the values
of the corresponding 12 month-by-month health insurance variables
described above. A value of 1 indicates that the person was covered
for at least one day of at least one month during 2007. A value
of 2 indicates that the person was not covered for a given type
of insurance for all of 2007. The variable UNINS07 summarizes PRVEV07-OPBEV07.
Where PRVEV07-OPBEV07 are all equal to 2, then UNINS07 equals 1;
person was uninsured for all of 2007. Otherwise, UNINS07 is set
to 2, not uninsured for some portion of 2007. For persons not in
scope for the full year these summary variables are based on the
period of eligibility. For user convenience this file contains a
constructed variable INSCOV07 that summarizes health insurance coverage
for the person in 2007, with the following three values:
1 = ANY PRIVATE (Person had any private
insurance coverage [including TRICARE] any time during 2007)
2 = PUBLIC ONLY (Person had only public
insurance coverage during 2007)
3 = UNINSURED (Person was uninsured during
all of 2007)
Please note that INSCOV07 categorizes TRICARE
as private coverage. All other health insurance indicators included
in this data release categorize TRICARE as public coverage. If an
analyst wishes to consider TRICARE public coverage, the variable
can easily be reconstructed using the PRVEV07 and TRIEV07 variables.
Also note that these categories are mutually exclusive, with preference
given to private insurance and TRICARE. Persons with both private
insurance/TRICARE and public insurance will be coded as “1” for
INSCOV07.
Finally, note that out-of-scope persons are
coded “2” (No) for PRVEV07-INSCOV07. For all other health insurance
variables in this data release, out-of-scope persons are coded “-1” (Inapplicable).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10.3 FY 2007 PUF Managed Care Variables
(TRIST31X-PRDRNP07)
In addition to the month-by-month indicators of coverage, there
are 24 round-specific health insurance variables indicating coverage
by
an HMO or managed care plan. Managed care variables have been constructed
from information on health insurance coverage at any time in a reference
period and the characteristics of the plan. A separate set of managed
care variables has been constructed for private insurance Medicaid/SCHIP,
and Medicare coverage. The purpose of these variables is to provide
information on managed care participation during the portion of
the three rounds (i.e., reference periods) that fall within the
same calendar
year.
Managed care variables for calendar year
2007 are based on responses to health insurance questions asked
during the Round 3, 4, and 5 interviews of Panel 11, and the Round
1, 2, and 3 interviews of Panel 12. Each variable ends in “xy” where
x and y denote the interview round for Panels 11 and 12, respectively.
The variables ending in “31” and “42” correspond to the first two
interviews of each panel in the calendar year. Because Round 3 interviews
typically overlap the final months of one year and the beginning
months of the next year, the “31” variables for Panel 11 have been
restricted to the year 2007 portion of the reference period. Similarly,
the Panel 11/Round 5 and Panel 12/Round 3 interviews have been restricted
to the year 2007 portion of these reference periods, and the corresponding
managed care variables have been given the suffix “07” (as opposed
to “53”) to emphasize the restricted time frame. Construction of the managed care variables
is straightforward, but three caveats are appropriate. First, MEPS
estimates of the number of persons in HMOs are higher than figures
reported by other sources, particularly those based on HMO industry
data. The differences stem from the use of household-reported information,
which may include respondent error, to determine HMO coverage in
MEPS.
Second, the managed care questions are asked
about the last plan held by a respondent through his or her establishment
(employer or insurer) even though the person could have had a different
plan through the establishment at an earlier point during the interview
period. As a result, in instances where a respondent changed his
or her establishment-related insurance, the managed care variables
describe the characteristics of the last plan held through the establishment.
Third, the “07” versions of the managed care
variables for Panel 12 are developed from Round 3 variables that
cover different time frames. The health insurance variable for Round
3 is restricted to the same calendar year as the Round 1 and 2 data.
The Round 3 variables describing plan type, on the other hand, overlap
the next calendar year. As a consequence, the Round 3 managed care
variables may not describe the characteristics of the last plan
held in the calendar year if the person changed plans after the
first of the year.
The variables PRVHMO31/42/07 and PRVMNC31/42/07
indicate coverage by a private HMO or gatekeeper plan in Panel 12,
Rounds 1 – 3, and Panel 11, Rounds 3 – 5. The variables PRVDRL31/42/07
indicate coverage by a private insurance source that has a book
or list of doctors in Panel 12, Rounds 1 – 3, and Panel 11, Rounds
3 – 5. The variables PRDRNP31/42/07 indicate coverage by at least
one private insurance plan with a book or list of doctors that pays
for visits to non-plan doctors in Panel 12, Rounds 1 – 3, and Panel
11, Rounds 3 – 5. The variables PHMONP31/42/07 indicate coverage
by at least one private insurance source through an HMO that pays
for visits to non-plan doctors in Panel 12, Rounds 1 – 3, and Panel
11, Rounds 3 – 5. Finally, the variables PMNCNP31/42/07 indicate
coverage by at least one private insurance source through a Gatekeeper
Plan that pays for visits to non-plan doctors in Panel 12, Rounds
1 – 3, and Panel 11, Rounds 3 – 5. The variables MCRPHO31/42/07
indicate coverage by a Medicare managed care plan in Panel 12, Rounds
1 - 3, and Panel 11, Rounds 3 - 5. The variables MCRPD31/42/07 indicate
coverage by Medicare prescription drug benefit, also known as Part
D, in Panel 12, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 11, Rounds 3 - 5. The edited
version of the Medicare prescription drug coverage variables (MCRPD31/42/07X)
include persons who are covered by both edited Medicare and edited
Medicaid. The variables MCDHMO31/42/07 and MDCMC31/42/07 indicate
coverage by a Medicaid or SCHIP HMO or managed care plan in Panel
12, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 11, Rounds 3 - 5. For Panel 12, the “31” version
indicates coverage at any time in Round 1, the “42” version indicates
coverage at any time in Round 2, and the “07” version represents
coverage at any time during the 2007 portion of Round 3. For Panel
11, the “31” version indicates coverage at any time during the 2007
portion of Round 3, the “42” version indicates coverage at any time
in Round 4, and the “07” version represents coverage at any time
during Round 5 (because Round 5 ends on 12/31/07).
In the health insurance section of the questionnaire,
respondents reporting private health insurance were asked to identify
what types of coverage they had via a checklist. If they selected
prescription drug or dental coverage from this checklist, variables
were constructed to indicate prescription drug or dental coverage
respectively. It should be noted, however, that in some cases respondents
may have failed to identify prescription drug or dental coverage
that was included as part of a hospital and physician plan.
Return To Table Of Contents
TRICARE Plan Variables
Round specific variables are provided that indicate which TRICARE
plan the respondent was covered by for each round of 2007. These variables
indicate whether the person was covered by TRICARE Standard (TRIST31/42/07X),
TRICARE Prime (TRIPR31/42/07X), TRICARE Extra (TRIEX31/42/07X), and
TRICARE for Life (TRILI31/42/07X). Beginning Panel 9 Rounds 4 and
5/Panel 10 Rounds 1 through 3, CHAMPVA was added to the list of Tricare
Plans collected in the instrument. Therefore, the variables TRICH42/07X
were created. The “31” version of this variable was constructed starting
in 2006. It should be noted that the TRICARE Plan information was
elicited from a pick-list, code-all-that-apply, question that asked
which type of TRICARE plan the person obtained. It should also be
noted that the TRICARE plan question was asked at the RU-level, that
is, if any person in the RU reported coverage under TRICARE, a follow-up
question was asked to determine which TRICARE plan anyone in the RU
was covered by. After indicating the specific TRICARE plan or plans
for the RU, a second question was asked to determine who in the RU
was covered by TRICARE. In each round, each TRICARE Plan variable
has five possible values:
- The person was covered by the applicable
TRICARE plan [Standard, Prime, Extra, For Life, or CHAMPVA].
- The person was covered by TRICARE, but
it was not through that particular plan [Standard, Prime,
Extra, For Life, or CHAMPVA].
- The person was not covered by TRICARE.
-
The person was covered by TRICARE but the plan type was not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
Return To Table Of Contents
Medicare Managed Care Plans and Prescription
Drug Benefit
Persons were assigned Medicare coverage based on their responses to
the health insurance questions or through logical editing of the survey
data. A small number of persons were edited to have Medicare and for
this group coverage through a managed care plan and coverage by prescription
drug plan questions were not asked. Since no Medicare establishment-person
pair exists for this group, the persons’ Medicare managed care and
prescription drug benefit statuses are set to not ascertained. For
those persons who reported Medicare coverage based on their responses
to the health insurance questions, the Medicare managed care plan
and prescription drug benefit questions were asked. These questions
were asked for each round a person indicates Medicare coverage.
The Medicare prescription drug benefit variables
(MCRPD31/42/07) have been edited (MCRPD31/42/07X) to turn on coverage
for all persons who are covered by both edited Medicare and edited
Medicaid regardless of the status on their unedited Medicare prescription
drug benefit variable.
In each round, the variables MCRPHO31, MCRPHO42,
and MCRPHO07 have five possible values:
- The person was covered by Medicare and
coverage through a Medicare Managed Care Plan.
- The person was covered by Medicare but
not coverage through a Medicare Managed Care Plan.
- The person was not covered by Medicare.
- The person was covered by Medicare but
whether the coverage is through a Medicare Managed Care Plan
is refused, don’t know, or not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
In each round, the variables MCRPD31(X),
MCRPD42(X), and MCRPD07(X) have five possible values:
- The person was covered by Medicare and
coverage by prescription drug benefit.
- The person was covered by Medicare but
not coverage by prescription drug benefit.
- The person was not covered by Medicare.
- The person was covered by Medicare but
prescription drug benefit coverage is refused, don’t know,
or not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
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Medicaid/SCHIP Managed Care Plans
Persons were assigned Medicaid or SCHIP coverage based on their responses
to the health insurance questions or through logical editing of the
survey data. The number of persons who were edited to have Medicaid
or SCHIP coverage is small, but they are comprised of two distinct
groups of individuals. The first group includes persons in Other Government
programs that were identified as being in a Medicaid HMO or gatekeeper
plan that did not require premium payment from the insured party.
By definition, this group was asked about the managed care characteristics
of their insurance coverage. The second group includes a small number
of persons who did not report public insurance, but were classified
as Medicaid recipients because they reported receiving AFDC, SSI,
or WIC. The health insurance plan type questions were not asked of
this group. As a consequence, the plan type could be determined for
some, but not all, respondents who were assigned Medicaid coverage
through logical editing of the data.
Medicaid/SCHIP HMOs
If Medicaid/SCHIP or Other Government programs
were identified as the source of hospital/physician insurance coverage,
the respondent was asked about the characteristics of the plan.
The variables MCDHMO31, MCDHMO42, and MCDHMO07 have been set to “Yes” if
the plan was identified from a list of state names or programs for
Medicaid HMOs in the area, or if an affirmative response was provided
to the following question:
Under {{Medicaid/{STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}/the
program sponsored by a state or local government agency which
provides hospital and physician benefits} (are/is) (READ NAME(S)
FROM BELOW) signed up with an HMO, that is a Health Maintenance
Organization?
[With an HMO, you must generally receive
care from HMO physicians. If another doctor is seen, the expense
is not covered unless you were referred by the HMO, or there was
a medical emergency.]
In subsequent rounds, respondents who had
been previously identified as covered by Medicaid were asked whether
the name of their insurance plan had changed since the previous
interview. An affirmative response triggered the previous set of
questions about managed care (name on list of Medicaid HMOs or signed
up with an HMO).
In each round, the variables MCDHMO31, MCDHMO42,
and MCDHMO07 have five possible values:
- The person was covered by a Medicaid/SCHIP
HMO.
- The person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP
but the plan was not an HMO.
- The person was not covered by Medicaid/SCHIP.
- The person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP
but the plan type was not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
Return To Table Of Contents
Medicaid/SCHIP Gatekeeper Plans
If the respondent did not belong to a Medicaid/SCHIP
HMO, a third question was used to determine whether the person was
in a gatekeeper plan. The variables MCDMC31, MCDMC42, and MCDMC07
were set to “Yes” if the person provided an affirmative response
to the following question:
Does {{Medicaid /{STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}}
require (READ NAME(S) BELOW) to sign up with a certain primary care
doctor, group of doctors, or with a certain clinic which they must
go to for all of their routine care?
Probe: Do not include emergency care or care
from a specialist to which they were referred to.
In each round, the variables MCDMC31, MCDMC42, and MCDMC07 have five
possible values:
- The person was covered by a Medicaid/SCHIP
gatekeeper plan.
- The person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP,
but it was not a gatekeeper plan.
- The person was not covered by Medicaid/SCHIP.
- The person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP
but the plan type was not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
Return To Table Of Contents
Private Managed Care Plans
Persons with private insurance were identified
from their responses to questions in the health insurance section
of the MEPS questionnaire. In some cases, persons were assigned
private insurance as a result of comments collected during the interview,
but data editing was minimal. As a consequence, most persons with
private insurance were asked about the characteristics of their
plan, and their responses were used to identify HMO and gatekeeper
plans.
Private HMOs
Persons with private insurance were classified
as being covered by an HMO if they met any of the three following
conditions:
- The person reported that his or her insurance
was purchased directly through an HMO,
- The person reporting private insurance
coverage identified the type of insurance company as an HMO,
or
- The person answered “Yes” to the following
question:
Now I will ask you a few questions about
how (POLICYHOLDER)’s insurance through (ESTABLISHMENT) works for
non-emergency care.
We are interested in knowing if (POLICYHOLDER)’s
(ESTABLISHMENT) plan is an HMO, that is, a health maintenance organization.
With an HMO, you must generally receive care from HMO physicians.
For other doctors, the expense is not covered unless you were referred
by the HMO or there was a medical emergency. Is (POLICYHOLDER)’s
(INSURER NAME) an HMO?
In subsequent rounds, policyholders were asked whether the name of
their insurance plan had changed since the previous interview. An
affirmative response triggered the detailed question about managed
care (i.e., was the insurer an HMO).
Some insured persons have more than one private
plan. In these cases, if the policyholder identified any plan as
an HMO, the variables PRVHMO31, PRVHMO42, and PRVHMO07 were set
to “Yes.” If a person had multiple plans and one or more were identified
as not being an HMO and the other(s) had missing plan type information,
the person-level variable was set to missing. Additionally, if a
person had multiple plans and none were identified as an HMO, the
person-level variable was set to “No.” In each round, the variables
PRVHMO31, PRVHMO42, and PRVHMO07 have five possible values:
- The person was covered by a private HMO.
- The person was covered by private insurance,
but it was not an HMO.
- The person was not covered by private
insurance.
- The person was covered by private insurance,
but the plan type was not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
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Private Gatekeeper Plans
If the respondent did not report belonging
to a private HMO, a follow-up question was used to determine whether
the person was in a gatekeeper plan. Persons with private insurance
were classified as being covered by a gatekeeper plan if the person
provided an affirmative response to the following question:
(Do/Does) (POLICYHOLDER)’s insurance plan
require (POLICYHOLDER) to sign up with a certain primary care
doctor, group of doctors, or a certain clinic which POLICYHOLDER)
must go to for all of (POLICYHOLDER)’s routine care?
Probe: Do not include emergency care or
care from a specialist you were referred to.
Some insured persons have more than one private
plan. In these cases, if the policyholder identified any plan as
a gatekeeper plan, the variables PRVMNC31, PRVMNC42, and PRVMNC07
were set to “Yes.” If a person had multiple plans and one or more
were identified as not being a gatekeeper plan and the other(s)
had missing plan type information, the person-level variable was
set to missing. Additionally, if a person had multiple plans and
none were identified as a gatekeeper plan, the person-level variable
was set to “No”. In each round, the variables PRVMNC31, PRVMNC42,
and PRVMNC07 have five possible values:
- The person was covered by a private gatekeeper
plan.
- The person was covered by private insurance,
but it was not a gatekeeper plan.
- The person was not covered by private
insurance.
- The person was covered by private insurance,
but the plan type was not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
Return To Table Of Contents
Private Plan that has a Book or List
of Doctors
If the respondent did not report belonging
to a private gatekeeper plan, a follow-up question was used to determine
whether the person belonged to a plan that had a book or list of
doctors. Persons with private insurance were classified as being
covered by such a plan if the person provided an affirmative response
to the following question:
Is there a book or list of doctors associated
with the plan?
Some insured persons have more than one private
plan. In these cases, if the policyholder identified any plan that
had a book or list of doctors, the variables PRVDRL31, PRVDRL42,
and PRVDRL07 were set to “Yes”. If a person had multiple plans and
one or more were identified as not being a plan that had a book
or list of doctors and the other(s) had missing information, the
person-level variable was set to missing. Additionally, if a person
had multiple plans and none were identified as a plan that had a
book or list of doctors, the person-level variable was set to “No”.
In each round, the variables PRVDRL31, PRVDRL42, and PRVDRL07 have
five possible values:
- The person was covered by a private insurance
plan that has a book or list of doctors.
- The person was covered by private insurance,
but it did not have a book or list of doctors.
- The person was not covered by private insurance.
- The person was covered by private insurance but the plan
type was not ascertained.
- The person was out-of-scope.
Return To Table Of Contents
Private HMO Plans that Pay for Visits
to Non-Plan Doctors
If the respondent reported that they belong to a private HMO plan,
a follow-up question was used to determine whether the person was
in a plan that pays for visits to non-plan doctors. Persons with private
HMO insurance were classified as being covered by a plan that pays
for visits to non-plan doctors if the person provided an affirmative
response to the following question:
Will (POLICYHOLDER)’s plan pay for any
of the costs of visits to doctors who are not associated
with (POLICYHOLDER)’s plan, even if (POLICYHOLDER) (do/does) not have
a referral?
Some insured persons have more than one private
plan. In these cases, if the policyholder identified any plan as
an HMO plan that pays for visits to non-plan doctors, the variables
PHMONP31, PHMONP42, and PHMONP07 were set to “Yes”. If a person
had multiple plans and one or more were identified as being an HMO
plan that does not pay for visits to non-plan doctors and the other(s)
had missing information, the person-level variable was set to missing.
Additionally, if a person had multiple plans and one or more were
identified as being an HMO but none were identified as an HMO plan
that pays for visits to non-plan doctors, the person-level variable
was set to “No”. In each round, the variables PHMONP31, PHMONP42,
and PHMONP07 have four possible values:
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance source through an HMO, and the HMO pays for visits
to non-plan doctors.
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance source through an HMO, but the HMO does not pay
for visits to non-plan doctors.
- Person was covered by private insurance
through an HMO and whether the HMO covers visits to non-plan
doctors was refused, don’t know, or not ascertained.
- Person was out-of-scope for the round,
was not privately insured at any time in the round, or was
not covered by private insurance through an HMO.
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Private Gatekeeper Plans that Pay
for Visits to Non-Plan Doctors
If the respondent reported that they belong
to a private gatekeeper plan, a follow-up question was used to determine
whether the person was in a plan that pays for visits to non-plan
doctors. Persons with private gatekeeper insurance were classified
as being covered by a plan that pays for visits to non-plan doctors
if the person provided an affirmative response to the following
question:
Will (POLICYHOLDER)’s plan pay for any
of the costs of visits to doctors who are not associated
with (POLICYHOLDER)’s plan, even if (POLICYHOLDER) (do/does) not have
a referral?
Some insured persons have more than one private
plan. In these cases, if the policyholder identified any plan as
a gatekeeper plan that pays for visits to non-plan doctors, the
variables PMNCNP31, PMNCNP42, and PMNCNP07 were set to “Yes.” If
a person had multiple plans and one or more were identified as being
a gatekeeper plan that does not pay for visits to non-plan doctors
and the other(s) had missing information, the person level variable
was set to missing. Additionally, if a person had multiple plans
and one or more was identified as being a gatekeeper plan, but none
were identified as a gatekeeper plan that pays for visits to non-plan
doctors, the person level variable was set to “No.” In each round,
the variables PMNCNP31, PMNCNP42, and PMNCNP07 have four possible
values:
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance source through a Gatekeeper Plan, and the plan pays
for visits to non-plan doctors.
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance source through a Gatekeeper Plan, but the plan does
not pay for visits to non-plan doctors.
- Person was covered by private insurance
through a Gatekeeper Plan, and whether the plan covers visits
to non-plan doctors was refused, don’t know, or not ascertained.
- Person was out-of-scope for the round,
was not privately insured at any time in the round, or was
not covered by private insurance through a Gatekeeper Plan.
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Private Plan that has a Book or List
of Doctors that Pays for Non-Plan Visits
If the respondent reported that they belong
to a plan that had a book or list of doctors, a follow-up question
was used to determine whether the person was in a plan that pays
for visits to non-plan doctors. Persons with a private insurance
plan that has a book or list of doctors were classified as being
covered by a plan that pays for visits to non-plan doctors if the
person provided an affirmative response to the following question:
Will (POLICYHOLDER)’s plan pay for any
of the costs of visits to doctors who are not associated
with (POLICYHOLDER)’s plan, even if (POLICYHOLDER) (do/does) not have
a referral?
Some insured persons have more than one private
plan. In these cases, if the policyholder identified any plan as
a plan that had a book or list of doctors and that pays for visits
to non-plan doctors, the variables PRDRNP31, PRDRNP42, and PRDRNP07
were set to “Yes.” If a person had multiple plans and one or more
were identified as being a plan that had a book or list of doctors
that does not pay for visits to non-plan doctors and the other(s)
had missing information, the person-level variable was set to missing.
Additionally, if a person had multiple plans and one or more were
identified as being a plan with a book of list of doctors, but none
were identified as a plan that had a book or list of doctors that
pays for visits to non-plan doctors, the person-level variable was
set to “No.” In each round, the variables PRDRNP31, PRDRNP42, and
PRDRNP07 have four possible values:
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance plan with a book or list of doctors, and the plan
pays for visits to non-plan doctors.
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance plan with a book or list of doctors, but the plan
does not pay for visits to non-plan doctors.
- Person was covered by at least one private
insurance plan with a book or list of doctors, and whether
the plan covers visits to non-plan doctors was refused, don’t
know, or not ascertained.
- Person was out-of-scope for the round,
was not privately insured at any time in the round, or was
not covered by any private insurance plan with a book or list
of doctors.
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2.5.10.4 Unedited Health
Insurance Variables (PREVCOVR-INSENDYY)
Duration of Uninsurance
If a person was identified as being without
insurance as of January 1st in the MEPS Round 1 interview,
a series of follow-up questions were asked to determine the duration
of uninsurance prior to the start of the MEPS survey. Persons who
were insured as of the MEPS Round 1 interview, and persons with
a date of birth on or after December 31, 2006 or whose age category
was less than 1 year old were skipped past this loop of questions.
These questions are asked in Round 1 only.
If the person said he/she was covered by
insurance in the two years prior to the MEPS Round 1 interview (PREVCOVR),
the month, year (COVRMM, COVRYY), and type of coverage (Employer-sponsored
(WASESTB), Medicare (WASMCARE), Medicaid/SCHIP (WASMCAID), TRICARE/CHAMPVA
(WASCHAMP), VA/Military Care (WASVA), Other public (WASOTGOV, WASAFDC,WASSSI,
WASSTAT1-4, WASOTHER) or Private coverage purchased through a group,
association or insurance company (WASPRIV)) was ascertained. Note
that under the types of coverage, up to 4 state programs (WASSTAT1-4)
can be listed as response options, but only the number of programs
available in the state in which the RU is located (up to 4) will
be displayed. If the state in which the RU is located has less than
4 state programs available, the remaining state programs will be
-1 (Inapplicable). The only exception is if the response is Refused
(-7) or Don’t Know (-8). In that case, WASTAT1-4 are all coded with
the same missing value, regardless of the number of plans available
in that specific state. Note that this is a code-all-that-apply
question, so more than one source of previous insurance can be selected.
For persons who were covered by health insurance on January 1st,
it was ascertained if they were ever without health insurance in
the previous year (NOINSBEF). The number of weeks/months without
health insurance was also ascertained (NOINSTM, NOINUNIT). For persons
who reported only non-comprehensive coverage as of January 1st,
a question was asked to determine if they had been covered by more
comprehensive coverage that paid for medical and doctors’ bills
in the previous two years (MORECOVR). If they were, the most recent
month and year of coverage was ascertained (INSENDMM, INSENDYY)
as was the type of coverage (see the variable names above).
Note that these variables are unedited and
have been taken directly as they were recorded from the raw data.
There may be inconsistencies with the health insurance variables
released on public use files that indicate that an individual is
uninsured in January. Out-of-scope persons in both panels and all
persons in Panel 10 have been set to “Inapplicable” (-1) for PREVCOVR – INSENDYY.
All other persons have PREVCOVR – INSENDYY copied directly from
the value of the unedited source variable.
Persons whose January 1st insurance
coverage status could not be determined due to their reference period
beginning after January 1st were also asked the follow-up
questions described above. In these cases, persons who reported
comprehensive coverage were asked if they were ever without insurance.
Those who were uninsured were asked to determine the duration of
uninsurance prior to the start of their reference period. Those
who reported only non-comprehensive coverage were asked if they
had been covered by comprehensive coverage that paid for medical
and doctors’ bills in the previous two years. Coverage is determined
by health insurance status during the whole reference period or
the month of January and ignores that these persons were not in
the household on January 1st.
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2.5.10.5 Health Insurance Coverage
Variables – At Any Time/At Interview Date/At 12-31 Variables (TRICR31X-EVRUNAT)
Constructed and edited variables are provided
that indicate health insurance coverage at any time in a given round
as well as at the MEPS interview dates and on December 31, 2007.
Note that for respondents who left the RU before the MEPS interview
date or before December 31st, the variables measuring
coverage at the interview date or on December 31st represent
coverage at the date the person left the RU. In addition, since
Round 5 only covers the time period from the Round 4 interview date
up to December 31st, values for the December 31st variables
are equivalent to those for Round 5 variables for Panel 11 members.
The health insurance variables are constructed
for the sources of health insurance coverage collected during the
MEPS interviews (Panel 11, Rounds 3 through 5 and Panel 12, Rounds
1 through 3). Note that the Medicare variables on this file as well
as the private insurance variables that indicate the particular
source of private coverage (rather than any private coverage) only
measure coverage at the interview date and on December 31st.
Users should also note that the same general editing rules were
followed for the month-by-month health insurance variables released
on this public use file (see Section 2.5.9.1 “Monthly Health Insurance
Indicators” for details). Editing programs checking for consistencies
between these sets of variables were developed in order to provide
as much consistency as possible between the round-specific indicators
and the month-by-month indicators of insurance.
Public sources include Medicare, TRICARE,
Medicaid/SCHIP, and other public hospital/physician coverage. State-specific
program participation in non-comprehensive coverage was also identified
but is not considered health insurance for the purpose of this survey.
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Medicare
Medicare coverage variables (MCARE31, MCARE42,
MCARE53 and MCARE07) and the edited versions of these variables
(MCARE31X, MCARE42X, MCARE53X and MCARE07X) were constructed similarly
to the month-by-month Medicare variables.
Medicaid/SCHIP and Other Public Hospital/Physician Coverage
Medicaid/SCHIP variables (MCAID31, MCAID42,
MCAID53, MCAID07) and the edited versions of these variables (MCAID31X,
MCAID42X, MCAID53X, MCAID07X, MCDAT31X, MCDAT42X, MCDAT53X, MCDAT07X)
were constructed similarly to the month-by-month Medicaid/SCHIP
variables.
Other Public A variables (OTPUBA31, OTPUBA42,
OTPUBA53, OTPUBA07; and OTPAAT31, OTPAAT42, OTPAAT53, OTPAAT07)
were constructed similarly to the month-by-month Other Public variables.
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Any Public Insurance
Any public insurance variables (PUB31X, PUB42X,
PUB53X, PUB07X, PUBAT31X, PUBAT42X, PUBAT53X, and PUBAT07X) and
state-specific programs that provide non-comprehensive coverage
variables (STAPR31, STAPR42, STAPR53, STAPR07, STPRAT31, STPRAT42,
STPRAT53, and STPRAT07) were constructed similarly to the month-by-month
any public insurance and state-specific program variables.
Private Insurance
Variables identifying private insurance in
general (PRIV31, PRIV42, PRIV53, PRIV07, PRIVAT31, PRIVAT42, PRIVAT53,
PRIVAT07) and specific private insurance sources (such as employer/union
group insurance [PRIEU31, PRIEU42, PRIEU53, PRIEU07]; coverage through
a job classified as self-employed with firm size of 1 [PRIS31, PRIS42,
PRIS53, PRIS07]; non-group coverage [PRING31, PRING42, PRING53,
PRING07]; other group coverage (PRIOG31, PRIOG42, PRIOG53, PRIOG07],
coverage through an unknown private category [PRIDK31, PRIDK42,
PRIDK53, PRIDK07]; and coverage from a policyholder living outside
the RU [PROUT31, PROUT42, PROUT53, PROUT07]) were constructed similarly
to the month-by-month variables in section 2.5.8.1. Variables indicating
any private insurance coverage are available for the following time
periods: at any time in a given round, at the interview date and
on December 31st. The variables for the specific sources
of private coverage are only available for coverage on the interview
dates and on December 31st.
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Any Insurance in Period
Any insurance variables (INS31X, INS42X,
INS53X, INS07X, INSAT31X, INSAT42X, INSAT53X, and INSAT07X) and
state-specific programs that provide non-comprehensive coverage
variables (STAPR31, STAPR42, STAPR53, STAPR07, STPRAT31, STPRAT42,
STPRAT53, and STPRAT07) were constructed similarly to the month-by-month
any insurance and state-specific program variables.
Ever Uninsured in Period
The variable EVRUNINS indicates whether a
person was ever uninsured on the interview date or on 12/31. If
the person is uninsured on the interview date/on 12/31 for any round
that they were in-scope (INS##X = 2), EVRUNINS is coded as “Yes” (1).
If the person is insured on the interview date/on 12/31 for all
rounds that they were in-scope (INS##X = 1), EVRUNINS is coded as “No” (2).
The variable EVRUNAT indicates whether a person was ever uninsured
at any time in 2007. If the person is uninsured at any time in the
round for any round that they were in-scope (INSAT##X = 2), EVRUNAT
is coded as “Yes” (1). If the person is insured at any time in the
round for all rounds that they were in-scope (INSAT##X = 1), EVRUNAT
is coded as “No” (2). EVRUNINS and EVRUNAT are coded “Inapplicable” (-1)
for persons who were out-of-scope for all rounds.
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2.5.10.6 Dental and
Prescription Drug Private Insurance Variables (DENTIN31-PMDINS07)
Dental Private Insurance Variables
Round specific variables (DENTIN31/42/53)
are provided that indicate the respondent was covered by a private
health insurance plan that included at least some dental coverage
for each round of 2007. It should be noted that the information
was elicited from a pick-list, code-all-that-apply, question that
asked what type of health insurance a person obtained through an
establishment. The list included: hospital and physician benefits
including coverage through an HMO, Medigap coverage, vision coverage,
dental, and prescription drugs. It is possible that some dental
coverage provided by hospital and physician plans was not independently
enumerated in this question. Users should also note that persons
with missing information on dental benefits for all reported private
plans and those who reported that they did not have dental coverage
for one or more plans but had missing information on other plans
are coded as not having private dental coverage. Respondents who
reported dental coverage from at least one reported private plan
were coded as having private dental coverage.
DENTIN53 reflects coverage for all of Panel
12 Round 3 where the end reference year could extend into 2008.
DENTIN31 for Panel 11 Round 3 reflects coverage in 2006 and 2007
since the Round 3 reference period spans both years. A second version
of these dental coverage indicators was built to reflect only current
year coverage (DNTINS31/07).
Return To Table Of Contents
Prescription Drug Private Insurance
Variables
Round specific variables (PMEDIN31/42/53)
are provided that indicate the respondent was covered by a private
health insurance plan that included at least some prescription drug
insurance coverage for each round of 2007. It should be noted that
the information was elicited from a pick-list, code-all-that-apply,
question that asked what type of health insurance a person obtained
through an establishment. The list included: hospital and physician
benefits including coverage through an HMO, Medigap coverage, vision
coverage, dental, and prescription drugs. It is possible some prescription
drug coverage provided by hospital and physician plans was not independently
enumerated in this question. Respondents who reported prescription
drug coverage from at least one reported private plan were coded
as having private prescription drug coverage. Users should note
that persons with missing information on prescription drug benefits
for all reported private plans and those who reported that they
did not have prescription drug coverage for one or more plans but
had missing information on other plans are coded as not having private
prescription drug coverage.
PMEDIN53 reflects coverage for all of Panel
12 Round 3 where the end reference year could extend into 2008.
PMEDIN31 for Panel 11 Round 3 reflects coverage in 2006 and 2007
since the Round 3 reference period spans both years. A second version
of these prescription drug coverage indicators was built to reflect
only current year coverage (PMDINS31/07).
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2.5.10.7 Prescription Drug
Usual Third Party Payer Variables (PMEDUP31-PMEDOP53)
Round specific variables are provided that
indicate whether the sample member had a usual third party payer
for prescription medications (PMEDUP31, PMEDUP 42, PMEDUP 53), and
if so, what type of payer (PMEDPY31, PMEDPY 42, PMEDPY 53). These
questions were asked only of sample members who reportedly had at
least one prescription medication purchase in the round. In each
interview, if the sample member reportedly had a third party payer,
then the respondent was asked the name of the sample member’s usual
third party payer. These responses were coded into the following
source of payment categories in PMEDPY31, PMEDPY42, PMEDPY53: Private
Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Tricare/CHAMPVA, State/Local
Government, and Other. Users should note that these questions were
asked in the charge and payment section of the questionnaire, and
that no attempt was made to reconcile the responses with information
collected in the health insurance section of the questionnaire.
If the sample member reportedly had a third
party payer, then the respondent was also asked how much the sample
member paid out-of-pocket for his or her last prescription. The
responses, in PMEDOP31, PMEDOP41, PMEDOP53, were not edited, and
no attempt was made to reconcile the responses with more detailed
information collected about out-of-pocket payments for specific
prescription medications purchased. Nonetheless, for those prescriptions
where data were reported by both the household and the pharmacy,
half of these cases had exactly the same out-of-pocket payments
for the last prescription filled; for the remaining cases, the average
discrepancy is low.
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2.5.10.8 Experiences with
Public Plans Variables (GDCPBM42-RTPLNT42)
The variables GDCPBM42 through RTPLNT42 contain
responses to the satisfaction with plans supplement, which was administered
in the second and fourth interviews of the MEPS HC. Question wording
is based on questions in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers
and Systems (CAHPS®), an AHRQ-sponsored family of survey instruments
designed to measure quality from the consumer’s perspective. There
are two sets of variables, one for TRICARE/CHAMPVA and the other
for Medicaid, SCHIP, or other state or local government hospital/physician
coverage, because families may have both types of insurance. Family
respondents who reported any current family member had TRICARE/CHAMPVA
in that round were asked about the family’s experiences with TRICARE/CHAMPVA.
These family- (RU-) level responses do not vary across RU members
with TRICARE/CHAMPVA at any time during the round; for RU members
without TRICARE/CHAMPVA during the round, the values are set to
inapplicable.
Family respondents who reported any current
family member had Medicaid, SCHIP, or other state or local government
hospital/physician coverage in that round were asked about the family’s
experiences with that coverage. These RU-level responses do not
vary across RU members who at any time during the round had Medicaid,
SCHIP, or other state or local government hospital/physician coverage.
For RU members without these types of public insurance during the
round, the values are set to inapplicable.
The variables address the following topics:
difficulty getting a personal doctor or nurse (GDCPBM42 and GDCPBT42),
needing approval for treatment and delays associated with waiting
for approval (APRTRM42, APRDLM42, APRTRT42, APRDLT42), looking for
information on how plan works and problems finding information (LKINFM42,
PBINFM42, LKINFT42, PBINFT42), calling customer service and problems
getting help from customer service (CSTSVM42, PBSVCM42, CSTSVT42,
PBSVCT42), filling out paperwork for the plan and problems with
the paperwork (PPRWKM42, PBPWKM42, PPRWKT42, PBPWKT42), rating of
experience with plan (RTPLNM42 and RTPLNT42).
Variables for experiences with private plans
are on the 2007 Person Round Plan file, PUF HC-111. On that file,
each person has a separate record for each private plan, and each
record has variables with the family’s experiences with that specific
plan.
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2.5.11 Utilization, Expenditures
and Source of Payment Variables (TOTTCH07-RXOSR07)
The MEPS Household Component (HC) collects
data in each round on use and expenditures for office- and hospital-based
care, home health care, dental services, vision aids, and prescribed
medicines. Data were collected for each sample person at the event
level (e.g., doctor visit, hospital stay) and summed across Rounds
3-5 for Panel 11 (excluding 2006 events covered in Round 3) and
across Rounds 1-3 for Panel 12 (excluding 2008 events covered in
Round 3) to produce the annual utilization and expenditure data
for 2007. In addition, the MEPS Medical Provider Component (MPC)
is a follow-back survey that collected data from a sample of medical
providers and pharmacies that were used by sample persons in 2007.
Expenditure data collected in the MPC are generally regarded as
more accurate than information collected in the HC and were used
to improve the overall quality of MEPS expenditure data in this
file (see below for description of methodology used to develop expenditure
data).
This file contains utilization and expenditure variables for several
categories of health care services. In general, there is one utilization
variable (based on HC responses only), 13 expenditure variables (derived
from both HC and MPC responses), and one charge variable for each
category of health care service. The utilization variable is typically
a count of the number of medical events reported for the category.
The 13 expenditure variables consist of an aggregate total payments
variable, 10 main component source of payment category variables,
and two additional source of payment category variables (see below
for description of source of payment categories). Expenditure variables
for all categories of health care combined are also provided. These
variables generally represent a full year of use and expenditures.
However, for persons who were not is scope for the entire year, these
variables reflect the period of eligibility.
The table in Appendix 1 provides an overview
of the utilization and expenditure variables included in this file.
For each health service category, the table lists the corresponding
utilization variable(s) and provides a general key to the expenditure
variable names (13 per service category). The first three characters
of the expenditure variable names reflect the service category (except
only two characters for prescription medicines) while the subsequent
three characters (*** in table) reflect the naming convention for
the source of payment categories described below (except only two
characters for Veterans Administration). The last two positions
of all utilization and expenditure variable names reflect the survey
year (i.e., 07). More details are provided on the utilization and
expenditure variables in sections 2.5.11.1 and 2.5.11.2 below.
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2.5.11.1 Expenditures Definition
Expenditures on this file refer to what is
paid for health care services. More specifically, expenditures in
MEPS are defined as the sum of direct payments for care provided
during the year, including out-of-pocket payments and payments by
private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and other sources. Payments
for over-the-counter drugs are not included in MEPS total expenditures.
Indirect payments not related to specific medical events, such as
Medicaid Disproportionate Share and Medicare Direct Medical Education
subsidies, are also not included.
The definition of expenditures used in MEPS is somewhat different
from the 1987 NMES and 1987 NMCES surveys where charges rather than
sum of payments were used to measure expenditures. This change was
adopted because charges became a less appropriate proxy for medical
expenditures during the 1990s due to the increasingly common practice
of discounting charges. Another change from the two prior surveys
is that charges associated with uncollected liability, bad debt, and
charitable care (unless provided by a public clinic or hospital) are
not counted as expenditures because there are no payments associated
with those classifications.
While the concept of expenditures in MEPS
has been operationalized as payments for health care services, variables
reflecting charges for services received are also provided on the
file (see below). Analysts should use caution when working with
the charge variables because they do not typically represent actual
dollars exchanged for services or the resource costs of those services.
Data Sources on Expenditures
The expenditure data included on this file
were derived from the MEPS Household and Medical Provider Components.
Only HC data were collected for nonphysician visits, dental and
vision services, other medical equipment and services, and home
health care not provided by an agency while data on expenditures
for care provided by home health agencies were only collected in
the MPC. In addition to HC data, MPC data were collected for some
office-based visits to physicians (or medical providers supervised
by physicians), hospital-based events (e.g., inpatient stays, emergency
room visits, and outpatient department visits), and prescribed medicines.
For these types of events, MPC data were used if complete; otherwise,
HC data were used if complete. Missing data for events where HC
data were not complete and MPC data were not collected or complete
were derived through an imputation process (see below).
A series of logical edits were applied to
both the HC and MPC data to correct for several problems including,
but not limited to, outliers, copayments or charges reported as
total payments, and reimbursed amounts that were reported as out-of-pocket
payments. In addition, edits were implemented to correct for misclassifications
between Medicare and Medicaid and between Medicare HMOs and private
HMOs as payment sources. Data were not edited to insure complete
consistency between the health insurance and source of payment variables
on the file.
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Imputation for Missing Expenditures
and Data Adjustments
Expenditure data were imputed to 1) replace
missing data, 2) provide estimates for care delivered under capitated
reimbursement arrangements, and 3) to adjust household- reported
insurance payments because respondents were often unaware that their
insurer paid a discounted amount to the provider. This section contains
a general description of the approaches used for these three situations.
A more detailed description of the editing and imputation procedures
is provided in the documentation for the MEPS event-level files.
Missing data on expenditures were imputed
using a weighted sequential hot-deck procedure for most medical
visits and services. In general, this procedure imputes data from
events with complete information to events with missing information
but similar characteristics. For each event type, selected predictor
variables with known values (e.g., total charge, demographic characteristics,
region, provider type, and characteristics of the event of care,
such as whether it involved surgery) were used to form groups of
donor events with known data on expenditures, as well as identical
groups of recipient events with missing data. Within such groups,
data were assigned from donors to recipients, taking into account
the weights associated with the MEPS complex survey design. Only
MPC data were used as donors for hospital-based events while data
from both the HC and MPC were used as donors for office-based physician
visits. The general approach that was used to impute missing expenditure
data on prescribed medicines is described in section 2.5.11.2 below.
Because payments for medical care provided
under capitated reimbursement arrangements and through public clinics
and Veterans’ Hospitals are not tied to particular medical events,
expenditures for events covered under those types of arrangements
and settings were also imputed. Events covered under capitated arrangements
were imputed from events covered under managed care arrangements
that were paid based on a discounted fee-for-service method, while
imputations for visits to public clinics and Veterans’ Hospitals
were based on similar events that were paid on a fee-for-service
basis. As for other events, selected predictor variables were used
to form groups of donor and recipient events for the imputations.
An adjustment was also applied to some HC
reported expenditure data because an evaluation of matched HC/MPC
data showed that respondents who reported that charges and payments
were equal were often unaware that insurance payments for the care
had been based on a discounted charge. To compensate for this systematic
reporting error, a weighted sequential hot-deck imputation procedure
was implemented to determine an adjustment factor for HC reported
insurance payments when charges and payments were reported to be
equal. As for the other imputations, selected predictor variables
were used to form groups of donor and recipient events for the imputation
process.
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Methodology for Flat Fee Expenditures
Most of the expenditures for medical care
reported by MEPS participants are associated with single medical
events. However, in some situations there is one charge that covers
multiple contacts between a medical provider and patient (e.g.,
obstetrician services, orthodontia). In these situations (generally
called flat or global fees), total payments for the flat or global
fee were included if the initial service was provided in 2007. For
example, all payments for an orthodontist’s fee that covered multiple
visits over three years were included if the initial visit occurred
in 2007. However, if a visit in 2007 to an orthodontist was part
of a flat fee in which the initial visit occurred in 2006, then
none of the payments for the flat fee were included.
The approach used to count expenditures for
flat fees may create what appear to be inconsistencies between utilization
and expenditure variables. For example, if several visits under
a flat fee arrangement occurred in 2007 but the first visit occurred
in 2006, then none of the expenditures were included, resulting
in low expenditures relative to utilization for that person. Conversely,
the flat fee methodology may result in high expenditures for some
persons relative to their utilization. For example, all of the expenditures
for an expensive flat fee were included even if only the first visit
covered by the fee had occurred in 2007. On average, the methodology
used for flat fees should result in a balance between overestimation
and underestimation of expenditures in a particular year.
Zero Expenditures
There are some medical events reported by
respondents where the payments were zero. This could occur for several
reasons including (1) free care was provided, (2) bad debt was incurred,
(3) care was covered under a flat fee arrangement beginning in an
earlier year, or (4) follow-up visits were provided without a separate
charge (e.g., after a surgical procedure). In summary, these types
of events have no impact on the person-level expenditure variables
contained in this file.
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Source of Payment Categories
In addition to total expenditures, variables
are provided that itemize expenditures according to the major source
of payment categories. These categories are:
- Out of pocket by patient or patient’s family
(SLF);
- Medicare (MCR);
- Medicaid (MCD);
- Private Insurance (PRV);
- Veterans’ Administration, excluding CHAMPVA (VA);
- TRICARE (TRI);
- Other Federal Sources--includes Indian Health Service, Military
Treatment Facilities, and other care provided by the
Federal government (OFD);
- Other State and Local Source--includes community and
neighborhood clinics, State and local health departments,
and State programs
other than Medicaid
(STL);
- Worker’s Compensation (WCP);
- Other Unclassified Sources--includes sources such as automobile,
homeowner’s,
liability, and other miscellaneous or unknown sources (OSR).
Two additional source of payment variables
were created to classify payments for particular persons that appear
inconsistent due to differences between the survey questions on
health insurance coverage and sources of payment for medical events.
These variables include:
- Other Private (OPR) - any type of private insurance payments
reported for persons not reported to have any private health insurance
coverage
during the year as defined in MEPS (i.e., for hospital and physician
services); and
- Other Public (OPU) - Medicaid payments reported for persons
who were not reported to be enrolled in the Medicaid program
at any time during the year.
Though relatively small in magnitude, users should exercise
caution when interpreting the expenditures associated with the OPR and OPU
categories. While these payments stem from apparent inconsistent responses
to the health insurance and source of payment questions in the survey, some
of these inconsistencies may have logical explanations. For example, private
insurance coverage in MEPS is defined as having a major medical plan covering
hospital and physician services. If a MEPS sample person did not have such
coverage but had a single service type insurance plan (e.g., dental insurance)
that paid for a particular episode of care, those payments may be classified
as “other private.” Some of the “other public” payments may stem from confusion
between Medicaid and other state and local programs or may be for persons who
were not enrolled in Medicaid, but were presumed eligible by a provider who
ultimately received payments from the program.
Please note, unlike the other events, the prescribed medicine events do have
some remaining inconsistent responses between the insurance section of the HC
and sources of payment from the PC (more specifically, discrepancies between
Medicare only household insurance responses and Medicaid sources of payment provided
by pharmacy providers). These inconsistencies remain unedited because there was
strong evidence from the PC that these were indeed Medicaid payments. All of
these types of HC events were exact matches to events in the PC, and in addition,
all of these types of events were purchases by persons with positive weights.
The naming conventions used for the source of payment
expenditure variables are shown in parentheses in the list of categories above
and in the key to the attached table in Appendix 1. In addition, total expenditure
variables (EXP in key) based on the sum of the 12 source of payment variables
above are provided.
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Charge Variables
In addition to the expenditure variables described above,
a variable reflecting total charges is provided for each type of service category
(except prescribed medicines). This variable represents the sum of all fully
established charges for care received and usually does not reflect actual payments
made for services, which can be substantially lower due to factors such as
negotiated discounts, bad debt, and free care (see above). The naming convention
used for the charge variables (TCH) is also included in the key to the attached
table in Appendix 1. The total charge variable across services (TOTTCH07) excludes
prescribed medicines.
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2.5.11.2 Utilization and
Expenditure Variables by Type of Medical Service
The following sections summarize definitional, conceptual, and analytic considerations
when using the utilization and expenditure variables in this file. Separate discussions
are provided for each MEPS medical service category.
Medical Provider Visits (i.e., Office-Based
Visits)
Medical provider visits consist of encounters that took
place primarily in office-based settings and clinics. Care provided in other
settings such as a hospital, nursing home, or a person’s home are not included
in this category.
The total number of office-based visits reported for
2007 (OBTOTV07) as well as the number of such visits to physicians (OBDRV07)
and nonphysician providers (OBOTHV07) are contained in this file. For a small
proportion of sample persons, the sum of the physician and nonphysician visit
variables (OBDRV07+OBOTHV07) is less than the total number of office-based
visits variable (OBTOTV07) because OBTOTV07 contains reported visits where
the respondent did not know the type of provider. Nonphysician visits (OBOTHV07)
include visits to the following types of providers: chiropractors, midwives,
nurses and nurse practitioners, optometrists, podiatrists, physician’s assistants,
physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers,
technicians, receptionists/clerks/secretaries, or other medical providers.
Separate utilization variables are included for selected types of more commonly
seen nonphysician providers including chiropractors (OBCHIR07), nurses/nurse
practitioners (OBNURS07), optometrists (OBOPTO07), physician assistants (OBASST07),
and physical or occupational therapists (OBTHER07).
Expenditure variables associated with all medical provider
visits, physician visits, and non physician visits in office-based settings
can be identified using the attached table in Appendix 1. As for the corresponding
utilization variables, the sum of the physician and non physician visit expenditure
variables (e.g. OBDEXP07+OBOEXP07) is less than the total office-based expenditure
variable (OBVEXP07) for a small proportion of sample persons. This can occur
because OBVEXP07 includes visits where the respondent did not know the type
of provider seen.
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Hospital Events
Separate utilization variables for hospital care are
provided for each type of setting (inpatient, outpatient department, and emergency
room) along with three expense variables per setting: one for basic hospital
facility expenses, one for payments to physicians who billed separately for
services provided at the hospital (referred to as “separately billing doctor” or
SBD expenses) and one that aggregates the facility and SBD expenses (aggregated
variable not included in files prior to 2007).
Hospital facility expenses include all expenses for direct hospital care, including
room and board, diagnostic and laboratory work, x-rays, and similar charges,
as well as any physician services included in the hospital charge. SBD expenses
typically cover services provided to patients in hospital settings by providers
like radiologists, anesthesiologists, and pathologists, whose charges are often
not included in hospital bills.
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Hospital Outpatient Visits
Variables for the total number of reported visits to hospital outpatient departments
in 2007 (OPTOTV07) as well as the number of outpatient department visits to physicians
(OPDRV07) and non-physician providers (OPOTHV07) are contained in this file.
For a small proportion of sample persons, the sum of the physician and non physician
visit variables (OPDRV07+OPOTHV07) is less than the total number of outpatient
visits variable (OPTOTV07) because OPTOTV07 contains reported visits where the
respondent did not provide information on the type of provider seen.
Expenditure variables (both facility and SBD) associated
with all medical provider visits, physician visits, and non physician visits
in outpatient departments can be identified using the attached table in Appendix
1. As for the corresponding utilization variables, the sum of the physician
and non physician expenditure variables (e.g., OPVEXP07+OPOEXP07 for facility
expenses) is less than the variable for total outpatient department expenditures
(OPFEXP07) for a small proportion of sample persons. This can occur because
OBFEXP07 includes visits where the respondent did not know the type of provider
seen. No expenditure variables are provided for health care consultations that
occurred over the telephone.
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Hospital Emergency Room Visits
The variable ERTOT07 represents a count of all emergency
room visits reported for the survey year. Expenditure variables associated
with ERTOT07 are identified in the attached table in Appendix 1. It should
be noted that hospitals usually include expenses associated with emergency
room visits that immediately result in an inpatient stay with the charges and
payments for the inpatient stay. Therefore, to avoid the potential for double
counting when imputing missing expenses, separately reported facility expenditures
for emergency room visits that were identified in the MPC as directly linked
to an inpatient stay were included as part of the inpatient stay only (see
below). This strategy to avoid double counting resulted in $0 facility expenditures
for these emergency room visits. However, these $0 emergency room visits are
still counted as separate visits in the utilization variable ERTOT07.
Hospital Inpatient Stays
Two measures of total inpatient utilization are provided
on the file: (1) total number of hospital discharges (IPDIS07) and (2) the
total number of nights associated with these discharges (IPNGTD07). Please
note that the variable IPNGTD07 is an imputed version of the IPNGT07 variable
released earlier on HC-107. For the 76 cases that were missing length of stay
information, data were imputed using a weighted sequential hot-deck procedure.
IPDIS07 includes hospital stays where the dates of admission and discharge
were reported as identical. These “zero-night stays” can be included or excluded
from inpatient analyses at the user’s discretion (see last paragraph of this
section).
Expenditure variables associated with hospital inpatient
stays are identified in the attached table in Appendix 1. To the extent possible,
payments associated with emergency room visits that immediately preceded an
inpatient stay are included with the inpatient expenditures (see above) and
payments associated with healthy newborns are included with expenditures for
the mother (see next paragraph for more detail).
Data used to construct the inpatient utilization and
expenditure variables for newborns were edited to exclude stays where the newborn
left the hospital on the same day as the mother. This edit was applied because
discharges for infants without complications after birth were not consistently
reported in the survey, and charges for newborns without complications are
typically included in the mother’s hospital bill. However, if the newborn was
discharged at a later date than the mother was discharged, then the discharge
was considered a separate stay for the newborn when constructing the utilization
and expenditure variables.
Some analysts may prefer to exclude zero-night stays
from inpatient analyses and/or count these stays as ambulatory visits. Therefore,
a separate use variable is provided that contains a count of the number of
inpatient events where the reported dates of admission and discharge were the
same (IPZERO07). This variable can be subtracted from IPDIS07 to exclude zero-night
stays from inpatient utilization estimates. In addition, separate expenditure
variables are provided for zero-night facility expenses (ZIFEXP07) and for
separately billing doctor expenses (ZIDEXP07). Analysts who choose to exclude
zero-night stays from inpatient expenditure analyses need to subtract the zero-night
expenditure variable from the corresponding expenditure variable for total
inpatient stays (e.g., IPFEXP07-ZIFEXP07 for facility expenses, IPDEXP07-ZIDEXP07
for separately billing doctor expenses).
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Dental Care Visits
The total number of dental visits variable (DVTOT07)
includes those to any person(s) for dental care including general dentists,
dental hygienists, dental technicians, dental surgeons, orthodontists, endodontists,
and periodontists. Additional variables are provided for the numbers of dental
visits to general dentists (DVGEN07) and to orthodontists (DVORTH07). For a
small proportion of sample persons, the sum of the general dentist and orthodontist
visit variables (DVGEN07+DVORTH07) is greater than the total number of dental
visits (DVTOT07). This result can only occur for persons who were reported
to have seen both a general dentist and orthodontist in the same visit(s).
When this occurred, expenditures for the visit were included as orthodontist
expenses but not as general dentist expenses. Expenditure variables for all
three categories of dental providers can be identified using the attached table
in Appendix 1.
Home Health Care
In contrast to other types of medical events where data
were collected on a per visit basis, information on home health care utilization
is collected in MEPS on a per month basis. Variables are provided that indicate
the total number of days in 2007 where home health care was received by the
following: from any type of paid or unpaid caregiver (HHTOTD07), from agencies,
hospitals, or nursing homes (HHAGD07), from self-employed persons (HHINDD07),
and from unpaid informal caregivers not living with the sample person (HHINFD07).
The number of provider days represents the sum across months of the number
of days on which home health care was received, with days summed across all
providers seen. For example, if a person received care in one month from one
provider on 2 different days, then the number of provider days would equal
2. The number of provider days would also equal 2 if a person received care
from 2 different providers on the same day. However, if a person received care
from 1 provider 2 times in the same day, then the provider days would equal
1. These variables were assigned missing values if the number of provider days
could not be computed for any month in which the specific type of home health
care was received.
Separate expenditure variables are provided for agency-sponsored
home health care (includes care provided by home health agencies, hospitals,
and nursing homes) and care provided by self-employed persons. The attached
table in Appendix 1 identifies the home health care utilization and expenditure
variables contained in the file.
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Vision Aids
Expenditure variables for the purchase of glasses and/or
contact lenses are identified in the attached table in Appendix 1. Due to the
data collection methodology, it was not possible to determine whether vision
items that were reported in Round 3 had been purchased in 2006 or 2007. Therefore,
expenses reported in Round 3 were only included if more than half of the person’s
reference period for the round was in 2007.
Other Medical Equipment and Services
This category includes expenditures for ambulance services,
orthopedic items, hearing devices, prostheses, bathroom aids, medical equipment,
disposable supplies, alterations/modifications, and other miscellaneous items
or services that were obtained, purchased, or rented during the year. On this
file, diabetic supplies and insulin are not considered to be medical equipment.
All use and expenditure information for these items are included in the prescribed
medicine variables. Respondents were only asked once (in Round 3) about their
total annual expenditures and were not asked about their frequency of use of
these services. Expenditure variables representing the combined expenses for
these supplies and services are identified in the Appendix 1 table.
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Prescribed Medicines
There is one total utilization variable (RXTOT07) and
13 expenditure variables included on the 2007 full-year file relating to prescribed
medicines. These 13 expenditure variables include an annual total expenditure
variable (RXEXP07) and 12 corresponding annual source of payment variables
(RXSLF07, RXMCR07, RXMCD07, RXPRV07, RXVA07, RXTRI07, RXOFD07, RXSTL07, RXWCP07,
RXOSR07, RXOPR07, and RXOPU07). The total utilization variable is a count of
all prescribed medications purchased during 2007, and includes initial purchases
and refills. The total expenditure variable sums all amounts paid out-of-pocket
and by third party payers for each prescription purchased in 2007. No variables
reflecting charges for prescription medicines are included because a large
proportion of respondents to the pharmacy component survey did not provide
charge data (see below).
Prescribed Medicines Data Collected
Data regarding prescription drugs were obtained through
the household questionnaire and a pharmacy component survey. During each round
of the MEPS-HC, all respondents were asked to supply the name of any prescribed
medication they or their family members purchased or otherwise obtained during
that round. For each medication and in each round, the following information
was collected: whether any free samples of the medication were received; the
name(s) of any health conditions the medication was prescribed for; the number
of times the prescription drug was obtained or purchased; the year, month,
and day on which the person first used the medication; and a list of the names,
addresses, and types of pharmacies that filled the household’s prescriptions.
Also, during the Household Component, respondents were asked if they send in
claim forms for their prescriptions (self-filers) or if their pharmacy providers
do this automatically for them at the point of purchase (non-self-filers).
For non-self-filers, charge and payment information was collected in the pharmacy
component survey, unless the purchase was an insulin or diabetic supply/equipment
event. However, charge and payment information was collected for self-filers
in the household questionnaire, because payments by private third party payers
for self-filers’ purchases would not be available from the pharmacy component.
Uninsured persons were treated as those whose pharmacies filed their prescription
claims at the point of purchase. Persons who said they did not know if they
sent in their own prescription claim forms were treated as those who did send
in their own prescription claim forms.
Pharmacy providers identified by the household were contacted by telephone in
the pharmacy component if permission was obtained in writing from the person
with the prescription to release their pharmacy records. The signed permission
forms were provided to the various establishments prior to making any requests
for information. Each establishment was informed of all persons participating
in the survey that had prescriptions filled there in 2007 and a computerized
printout containing information about these prescriptions was sought. For each
medication listed, the following information was requested: date filled; national
drug code (NDC); medication name; strength of medicine (amount and unit); quantity
(package size and amount dispensed); and payments by source.
When diabetic supplies, such as syringes and insulin,
were reported in the other medical supply section of the MEPS-HC questionnaire
as having been obtained during the round, the interviewer was directed to collect
information on these items in the prescription drug section of MEPS. Charge
and payment information was asked for these events.
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Prescribed Medicines Data Editing and Imputation
The general approach to preparing the household prescription
data for this file was to utilize the pharmacy component prescription data
to assign expenditure values to the household drug mentions. For events that
charge and payment data were collected from the household in the HC, information
on payment sources was retained to the extent that these data were reported.
A matching program was adopted to link pharmacy component drugs and the corresponding
drug information to household drug mentions. To improve the quality of these
matches, all drugs on the household and pharmacy files were coded based on
the medication names provided by the household and pharmacy, and when available,
the national drug code (NDC) provided in the pharmacy survey. Considerable
editing was done prior to the matching to correct data inconsistencies in both
data sets and fill in missing data and correct outliers on the pharmacy file.
Drug price per unit outliers were analyzed on the pharmacy file by first identifying
the average wholesale unit price (AWUP) of the drug by linkage through the NDC
to a proprietary data base. In general, prescription drug unit prices were deemed
to be outliers by comparing unit prices reported in the pharmacy data base to
the AWUP and were edited, as necessary. Beginning with the 2007 data, the rules
used to identify outlier prices for prescription medications in the PC changed.
New outlier thresholds were established based on the distribution of the ratio
of retail unit prices relative to the AWUP in the 2006 MarketScan Outpatient
Pharmaceutical Claims data base. As a result, compared with earlier years of
the MEPS, starting with 2007 there is a somewhat lower proportion of spending
on drugs is by families, as opposed to third-party payers.
For those rounds that spanned two years, drugs mentioned
in that round were allocated between the years based on the number of times
the respondent said the drug was purchased in the respective year, the year
the person started taking the drug, the length of the person’s round, the dates
of the person’s round, and the number of drugs for that person in the round.
In addition, a “folded” version of the PC on an event level, as opposed to
an acquisition level, was used for these types of events to assist in determining
how many acquisitions of the drug should be allocated between the years.
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Collapsed Source of Payment Variables (not included
prior to 2007)
Starting in 2007, two additional source of payment variables
were added for each health care service category to the Full Year Consolidated
File as a convenience to data users since they are common analytic groupings
of the payment sources. The first (***PRT07 series) is the sum of the private
and Tricare payer categories (i.e., ***PRT07=***PRV07+***TRI07). The second
(***OTH07 series) is the sum of the least common source of payment categories
including: 1) other federal (***OFD07), 2) state and local (***STL07), 3) other
private (***OPR07), 4) other public (***OPU07), and 5) other sources (***OSR07).
Since the ***PRT07 and ***OTH07 variable series represent combined totals of
existing individual source of payment variables, analysts should exercise caution
to avoid inappropriate double counting of expenditures when working with these
variables.
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2.6 Linking to Other
Files
2.6.1 Event and Condition
Files
Records on this file can be linked to 2007 MEPS-HC public
use event and condition files by the sample person identifier (DUPERSID). The
Panel 11 cases on this file (PANEL=11) can also be linked back to the 2006
MEPS-HC public use event and condition files.
2.6.2 National Health
Interview Survey
The set of households selected for MEPS is a subsample
of those participating in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), thus,
each MEPS panel can also be linked back to the previous year’s NHIS public
use data files. For information on obtaining MEPS/NHIS link files please see meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/more_info_download_data_files.jsp.
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2.6.3 Pooling Annual
Files
To facilitate analysis of subpopulations and/or low
prevalence events, it may be desirable to pool together more than one year
of data to yield sample sizes large enough to generate reliable estimates.
For each data year preceding 2002 that is being pooled, it is necessary to
obtain appropriate strata and psu variables for variance estimation by linking
to the Pooled Estimation Linkage File (HC-036). For more details see pooling
MEPS data files see meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_stats/download_data_files_detail.jsp?cboPufNumber=HC-036.
Starting in Panel 9, values for DUPERSID from previous
panels will be re-used. Therefore, it is necessary to use the panel variable
(PANEL) in combination with DUPERSID to ensure unique person-level identifiers
across panels. Creating unique records in this manner is advised when pooling
MEPS data across multiple annual files that have one or more identical values
for DUPERSID.
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2.6.4 Longitudinal Analysis
For Panels 1-8, panel-specific files (called Longitudinal
Weight Files) containing estimation variables to facilitate longitudinal analysis
are available for downloading in the data section of the MEPS Web site. To
create longitudinal files for these panels, it is necessary to link data from
two subsequent annual files that contain data for the first and second years
of the panel, respectively. Starting with Panel 9, it is not necessary to link
files for longitudinal analysis because Longitudinal Data Files have been constructed
and are available for downloading on the web.
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3.0 Survey Sample Information
3.1 Background on
Sample Design and Response Rates
The MEPS is designed to produce estimates at the national
and regional level over time for the civilian, noninstitutionalized population
of the United States and some subpopulations of interest. The data in this
public use file pertain to calendar year 2007. The data were collected in Rounds
1, 2, and 3 for MEPS Panel 12 and Rounds 3, 4, and 5 for MEPS Panel 11. (Note
that Round 3 for a MEPS panel is designed to overlap two calendar years, see
illustration below.)
301 Moved Permanently
301 Moved Permanently
Variables convey the same information for this full-year
file that has been provided for the full-year files associated with years 1996–2006
of MEPS.
The only utilization data that appear on this file are
those associated with health care events occurring in calendar year 2007. All
such utilization data associated with calendar year 2007 as reported by MEPS
respondents have been included in this database for both panels and their corresponding
rounds.
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3.1.1 References on
MEPS Sample Design
There have been some published reports on the MEPS sample
design. For detailed information on the MEPS sample design for Panel 1, see
Cohen, S. Sample Design of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household
Component. Rockville (MD): Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; 1997.
MEPS Methodology Report, No. 2. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0027. For detailed information
on the MEPS sample design for Panel 2, see Cohen, S., Sample Design of the
1997 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. Rockville (MD):
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2000. MEPS Methodology Report,
No. 11. AHRQ Pub No. 01-0001; Ezzati-Rice, T.M., Rohde, F., Greenblatt, J.
Sample Design of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component,
1998-2007, Methodology Report, No. 22. March 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality, Rockville, MD.
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3.1.2 MEPS--Linked to
the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
Changes in the NHIS Sample Design and its Impact
on MEPS
First note that the 2006 MEPS database is the last one
to be based solely on the NHIS sample design first implemented in 1995. Beginning
in 2006, the NHIS implemented a new, though similar, sample design. Thus, Panel
12 of MEPS, first fielded in 2007, became the first panel reflecting the new
NHIS sample design. As a result, the 2007 full year file contains a MEPS panel
sampled under the new design as well as a panel selected under the old one.
This is actually advantageous statistically in that some gains in precision
for sample estimates are expected to result due to reduced clustering of the
sample compared to having both panels representing subsamples from the same
set of NHIS PSUs and segments (second stage sampling units). This reduction
in clustering means that the full 2007 MEPS sample was more spread out geographically
than usual, so there were some increases in costs associated with fielding
this sample that will be eliminated when both panels are associated with the
same NHIS sample design, as will be the case for the 2008 MEPS data base.
To review the MEPS sample design in more detail, traditionally, the sample for
the NHIS is redesigned and redrawn about every ten years. From 1995 to 2005,
the NHIS used the same sample design and thus, the MEPS, which began in 1996,
was based, through 2006, on a single NHIS design. Since in the NHIS the same
PSUs and second stage sampling units are used each year, the MEPS sample from
1996 to 2006 was clustered within the same sampling units. However, a new sample
design for the NHIS was implemented in 2006. The fundamental structure of the
new 2006 NHIS sample design is very similar to the previous 1995-2005 NHIS sample
design. The sample PSUs and second stage sampling units for the new NHIS design
were selected independent of the sample selection process under the previous
design. Of course, there is some overlap between the area populations covered
by the sampled PSUs selected under the two designs, mostly the larger ones selected
with certainty. As households selected for MEPS participation are selected from
among the previous year’s NHIS respondents, the MEPS Panel 12, fielded in 2007,
was the first MEPS Panel based on the new NHIS sample design. There are several
implications with respect
to this design change that should be noted.
With two independent samples, a new set of variance
strata and PSUs had to be developed for use with Panel 12, while those associated
with the old design were retained for Panel 11. Thus, for the 2007 data there
were more variance strata and PSUs available for estimation purposes, and more
degrees of freedom, than for earlier files under the old NHIS sample design
or for subsequent files under the new NHIS design. Also, the degree of clustering
of the 2007 file sample was lessened since the two MEPS panels (Panel 11 and
Panel 12) were not sampled from the same set of PSUs and secondary sample units.
As a result, as previously mentioned, with the reduction of the clustering
of the sample, standard errors are expected to be generally lower than they
would otherwise be for estimates where people living in the same vicinity tend
to have similar responses to questionnaire items. In addition, as with any
change in sample or study design, MEPS estimates have been and will continue
to be assessed to determine if any substantial change in the survey estimates
might be associated with a change in design (e.g., as could arise due to increased
coverage of the target populations with an updated sample design based on data
from the latest Census).
Other Details on the MEPS Subsample of Responding
Households from the NHIS
The households in this 2007 MEPS database are related
to a subsample of households participating in the NHIS in 2005 and 2006. The
households (occupied DUs) selected for MEPS Panel 11 were a subsample of the
2005 NHIS responding households under the old sample design, while those in
MEPS Panel 12 were a subsample of 2006 NHIS respondents under the new sample
design. A household may contain one or more family units, each consisting of
one or more individuals. Analysis can be undertaken using either the individual
or the family as the unit of analysis.
There were 9,464 households (occupied DUs) selected
for inclusion in MEPS Panel 11, of which 9,434 were eligible for fielding (college
dormitories were eliminated). They were selected as a nationally representative
subsample of the households responding to the 2005 NHIS. A subsample of 7,319
households was selected for MEPS Panel 12 from among households responding
to the 2006 NHIS, of which 7,294 were fielded after the elimination of college
dorms.
The NHIS is a complex multi-stage sample design. A brief
and simplified description of the NHIS design follows. The first stage of sample
selection is an area sample of PSUs, where PSUs generally consist of one or
more counties. Within PSUs, density strata are formed, generally reflecting
the density of minority populations for single or groups of blocks or block
equivalents that are assigned to the strata. Within each such density stratum “supersegments” are
formed, consisting of clusters of housing units. Samples of supersegments are
selected for use over a 10-year data collection period for the NHIS. Households
within supersegments are selected for each calendar year the NHIS is carried
out.
Under the old NHIS design households containing Hispanics
and Blacks were oversampled at rates of approximately 2 and 1.5 times, respectively,
the rate of remaining households. Under the new NHIS sample design Asians are
also oversampled. The estimated oversampling rates of the three minorities
under the new NHIS design have not yet been reported.
The only major difference in eligibility status for
housing units between NHIS and MEPS is that college dorms represent ineligible
housing units for MEPS. College aged students living away from home during
the school year were interviewed at their place of residence for the NHIS but
were identified by and linked to their parents’ household for MEPS. (There
is also a person-level stage of sampling for the NHIS, but that does not have
a direct impact on the MEPS sample design.)
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.3 Sample Weights
and Variance Estimation
In the database “MEPS HC-113: 2007 Full Year Consolidated
Data File,” weight variables are provided for generating MEPS estimates of
totals, means, percents, and rates for persons and families in the civilian
noninstitutionalized population. The weight variables (PERWT07F, FAMWT07F,
SAQWT07F, and DIABWT07F) provided in this file supersede the weight variables
provided in the 2007 Full Year Population Characteristic File (HC-107). Procedures
and considerations associated with the construction and interpretation of person
and family-level estimates using these and other variables are discussed below.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2 The MEPS Sampling Process
and Response Rates: An Overview
For most MEPS panels, a sample representing about three-eighths of the NHIS responding
households is made available for use in MEPS. The MEPS Panel 11 sample was selected
from among a “three-eighths” sample of NHIS responding households, while the
Panel 12 sample was selected from a “one-fourth” sample.
A subsample of the NHIS responding households is then
drawn for MEPS interviewing. Because the MEPS subsampling has to be done soon
after NHIS responding households are identified, a small percentage of the
NHIS households initially characterized as NHIS respondents are later classified
as nonrespondents for the purposes of NHIS data analysis. This actually serves
to increase the overall MEPS response rate slightly since the percentage of
NHIS households designated for use in MEPS (all those characterized initially
as respondents from the NHIS panels and quarters used by MEPS for a given year)
is slightly larger than the final NHIS household-level response rate and some
NHIS nonresponding households do participate in MEPS. However, as a result,
these NHIS nonrespondents who are MEPS participants have no NHIS data available
to link with MEPS data.
Once the MEPS sample is selected from among the NHIS households characterized
as NHIS respondents, RUs representing students living in student housing or consisting
entirely of military personnel are deleted from the sample. For the NHIS, college
students living in student housing are sampled independently from their families.
For MEPS, such students are identified through the sample selection of their
parents’ RU. Removing from MEPS those college students found in college
housing sampled for the NHIS eliminates the opportunity of multiple chances of
selection for MEPS for these students. Military personnel not living in the same
RU as civilians are ineligible for MEPS. After such exclusions, all RUs associated
with households selected from among those identified as NHIS responding households
are then fielded in the first round of MEPS.
Table 3.1 shows in Rows A, B, and C the three informational
components just discussed. Row A indicates the percentage of NHIS households
eligible for MEPS. Row B indicates the number of NHIS households sampled for
MEPS. Row C indicates the number of sampled households actually fielded for
MEPS (after dropping the students and military members discussed above).
Table
3.1. Sample Size and Response Rates for 2007 Full Year Data File (Panel 12
Rounds 1-3/Panel 11, Rounds 3-5)
|
|
Panel 11
|
Panel 12
|
2007 Combined
|
A.
|
Percentage of NHIS households
designated for use in MEPS (those characterized as responding)
|
87.3%
|
88.1%
|
|
B.
|
Number of households sampled from
the NHIS
|
9,464
|
7,319
|
|
C.
|
Number of Households sampled from
the NHIS and fielded for MEPS
|
9,434
|
7,294
|
|
D.
|
Round 1 - Number of RUs eligible
for interviewing
|
9,972
|
7,712
|
|
E.
|
Round 1 - Number of RUs with completed
interviews
|
7,585
|
5,901
|
|
F.
|
Round 2 - Number of RUs eligible
for interviewing
|
7,834
|
6,058
|
|
G.
|
Round 2 - Number of RUs with completed
interviews
|
7,276
|
5,584
|
|
H.
|
Round 3 - Number of RUs eligible
for interviewing
|
7,423
|
5,686
|
|
I.
|
Round 3 - Number of RUs with completed
interviews
|
7,007
|
5,383
|
|
J.
|
Round 4 - Number of RUs eligible
for interviewing
|
7,122
|
|
|
K.
|
Round 4 - Number of RUs with completed
interviews
|
6,898
|
|
|
L.
|
Round 5 - Number of RUs eligible
for interviewing
|
6,905
|
|
|
M.
|
Round 5 - Number of RUs with completed
interviews
|
6,781
|
|
|
Overall
response rates Full Year 2007
|
|
|
|
P12: A
x (E/D) x (G/F) x (I/H)
P11: A x (E/D) x (G/F) x (I/H) x (K/J) x (M/L)
|
55.4%
(Panel 11
through Round 5)
|
58.8%
(Panel 12
through Round 3)
|
56.9%
|
Combined: 0.56
x P11 + 0.44 x P12
|
|
|
|
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.1 Response Rates
In order to produce annual health care estimates for calendar year 2007 based
on the full MEPS sample, data from the MEPS Panel 11 and Panel 12 samples are
combined. More specifically, full calendar year 2007 data collected in Rounds
3 through 5 for the MEPS from the Panel 11 sample are combined with data from
the first three rounds of data collection for the MEPS Panel 12 sample. The general
approach is described below.
To understand the calculation of MEPS response rates, some features related to
MEPS data collection should be noted. When an RU is visited for a round of data
collection, changes in RU membership are identified. Such changes include RU
members who have moved to another location in the U.S., thus creating a new RU
to be interviewed for MEPS, and student RUs. Thus, the number of RUs eligible
for MEPS interviewing in a given round can only be determined after data collection
is fully completed. The ratio of the number of RUs completing the MEPS interview
in a given round to the number of RUs characterized as eligible to complete the
interview for that round represents the "conditional" response rate for that
round expressed as a proportion. It is "conditional" in that it pertains to the
set of RUs characterized as eligible for MEPS for that round, and thus is "conditioned" on
prior participation rather than representing the overall response rate through
that round. For example, in Table 3.1, for Panel 11, Round 2 the ratio of 7,276
(Row G) to 7,834 (Row F) multiplied by 100 represents the percentage response
rate for the round (92.9 percent when computed), conditioned on the set of RUs
characterized as eligible for MEPS for that round. Taking the product of the
percentage of the NHIS sample eligible for MEPS (Row A) with the product of the
ratios for a consecutive set of MEPS rounds beginning with round one produces
the overall response rate through the last MEPS round specified.
The overall response rate for the combined sample of Panels 11 and 12 for 2007
was obtained by computing the products of the relative sample sizes and the corresponding
overall panel response rates and then summing the two products. Panel 12 represents
about 44.0 percent of the combined sample size while Panel 11 represents the
remaining 56.0 percent. Thus, the combined response rate of 56.9 percent has
been computed as 0.44 times the overall Panel 12 response rate through Round
3 plus 0.56 times the overall Panel 11 response rate through Round 5.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.2 Panel 12 Response
Rates
For MEPS Panel 12, Round 1, 7,294 households were fielded in 2007 (Row C of Table
3.1), a nationally representative subsample of the households responding to the
2006 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Table 3.1 shows the number of RUs eligible for interviewing
in each Round of Panel 12 as well as the number of RUs completing the MEPS
interview. Computing the individual Round “conditional” response rates as described
in section 3.2.1 and then taking the product of these three response rates
and the factor 88.1 (the percentage of the NHIS sampled households designated
for use in selecting a sample of households for MEPS) yields an overall response
rate of 58.8 percent for Panel 12 through Round 3.
3.2.3 Panel 11 Response Rates
For MEPS Panel 11, 9,434 households were fielded in 2006 (as indicated in Row
C of Table 3.1), a nationally representative subsample of the households responding
to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Table 3.1 shows the number of RUs eligible for interviewing
and the number completing the interview for all five rounds of Panel 11. The
overall response rate for Panel 11 has been computed in a similar fashion to
that of Panel 12 but covering all five rounds of MEPS interviewing as well
the factor representing the percentage of NHIS sampled households eligible
for MEPS. The overall response rate for Panel 11 through Round 5 is 55.4 percent.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.4 Combined Panel
Response Rate
A combined response rate for the survey respondents in this data set is obtained
by taking a weighted average of the panel specific response rates. The Panel
11 response rate was weighted by a factor of 0.56 and that of Panel 12 was weighted
by a factor of 0.44, reflecting approximately the distribution of the overall
sample between the two panels. The resulting combined response rate for the combined
panels has been computed as (0.44 x 58.8) plus (0.56 x 55.4) or 56.9 percent
(as shown in Table 3.1).
3.2.5 Oversampling in MEPS
Oversampling is a feature of the MEPS sample design, helping to increase the
precision of estimates for some subgroups of interest. Before going into details
related to MEPS, the concept of oversampling will be discussed.
In a sample where all persons in a population are selected
with the same probability and survey coverage of the population is high, the
sample distribution is expected to be proportionate to the population distribution.
For example, if Hispanics represent 15 percent of the general population, one
would expect roughly 15 percent of the persons sampled to be Hispanic. However,
in order to improve the precision of estimates for specific subgroups of a
population, one might decide to select samples from those subgroups at higher
rates than the remainder of the population. Thus, one might select Hispanics
at twice the rate (i.e., at double the probability) of persons not oversampled.
As a result, an oversampled subgroup comprises a higher proportion of the sample
than it represents in the general population. Sample weights ensure that population
estimates are not distorted by a disproportionate contribution from oversampled
subgroups. Base sample weights for oversampled groups will be smaller than
for the portion of the population not oversampled. For example, if a subgroup
is sampled at roughly twice the rate of sample selection for the remainder
of the population not oversampled, members of the oversampled subgroup will
receive base or initial sample weights (prior to nonresponse or poststratification
adjustments) that are roughly half the size of the group not oversampled.
As mentioned above, oversampling is implemented to increase
the sample sizes and thus improve the precision of survey estimates for particular
subgroups of the population. The “cost” of oversampling is that the precision
of estimates for the general population and subgroups not oversampled will
be reduced to some extent compared to the precision one could have achieved
if the same overall sample size were selected without any oversampling.
The oversampling of Hispanic and Black households for
the NHIS carries over to MEPS through the set of NHIS responding households
eligible for sample selection for MEPS. In the NHIS under the old sample design,
Hispanic households were oversampled at a rate of roughly 2 to 1. That is,
the probability of selecting a Hispanic household for participation in the
NHIS was roughly twice that for households in the general population that were
not oversampled. The oversampling rate for Black households under the old design
was roughly 1.5 to 1. Under the new NHIS sample design Asians, as well as Hispanics
and Blacks, are oversampled. The oversampling rates for the three minority
groups have not yet been reported.
For both the MEPS Panel 11 sample and the MEPS Panel
12 sample, the NHIS responding households eligible for MEPS that contained
either Asians or families predicted to have an income under 200 percent of
the poverty level (based on a statistical model) were sampled with certainty.
In addition, households containing Blacks that were not among those households
selected with certainty were also oversampled. The sampling rate for the Black
stratum was 75 percent for Panel 11 and about 90 percent for Panel 12. For
Panel 11 the only remaining sample domain (or stratum) was “Other”, sampled
at a rate of about 50 percent. For Panel 12 a separate domain was established
for Hispanics, in addition to the “Other” domain. Sampling rates for both strata
were about 90 percent. The main reason for the high sampling rate for the “Other” domain
in Panel 12 compared to most other years is that only the first two quarters
of the two NHIS sample panels available for MEPS were used. Typically, the
first three quarters are used and a higher degree of oversampling is undertaken.
As a result, the sample allocation is somewhat different for Panel 12 compared
to Panel 11 and unweighted comparisons (e.g., response rates) should be viewed
from that perspective. Specifically, with respect to response rates Panel 12
included proportionately more households in groups typically with lower propensities
to respond. Also, because the Black, Hispanic, and Other domains all were sampled
at about the same rate and this rate was close to 1, the variation in weights
for Panel 12 is somewhat lower than that for previous panels with a corresponding
reduction in the contribution of weight variation to the variation in the MEPS
estimates.
Within each domain/stratum systematic samples of the
MEPS-eligible households were selected from among the NHIS household respondents
made available for MEPS sample selection purposes.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.3 Background on Person-Level Estimation Using this
MEPS Public Use File
3.3.1 Overview
There is a single person-level weight variable called PERWT07F. However, care
should be taken in its application as it permits both “point-in-time” and “range
of time” estimates, depending on the variables used to define the set of persons
of interest for analysis. A person-level weight was assigned to each key, inscope
person who responded to MEPS for the full period of time that he or she was inscope
during the MEPS (recall that a person is inscope whenever he or she is a member
of the civilian, noninstitutionalized portion of the U.S. population). Since
Panel 11 began in 2006, persons were required to provide data while inscope for
both 2006 and 2007. Since Panel 12 persons began in 2007, the requirement only
pertains to 2007.
3.3.2 Developing Person-Level Estimates
The data in this file can be used to develop estimates on persons in the civilian,
noninstitutionalized population at any time during 2007 and for the slightly
smaller population of persons in the civilian, noninstitutionalized population
on December 31, 2007. To obtain a cross-sectional (point-in-time) estimate for
inscope persons living in the country on December 31, 2007, the analysis should
be restricted to cases where INSC1231=1 (the person is inscope on December 31,
2007). The weight variable PERWT07F must be applied to the analytic variable(s)
of interest to obtain either type of national estimate. Table 3.2 contains a
summary of cases to include and sample sizes for the two populations described
above.
Table 3.2 Identifying Populations of Interest at the Person Level and Corresponding
Sample Sizes
Population of Interest
|
Cases to Include
|
Sample Size
|
Civilian, Noninstitutionalized Population over the course
of 2007 |
PERWT07F>0 |
29,370
|
Civilian, Noninstitutionalized Population on December
31, 2007 |
PERWT07F>0 and INSC1231=1 |
29,052
|
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4 Details on Person-Level
Weights Construction
3.4.1 Overview
The person-level weight PERWT07F that appears on this 2007 Full Year Consolidated
Data File was developed in several stages. The starting point was the person-level
weight that was developed for the earlier released 2007 Full Year Population
Characteristic File. The Full Year Population Characteristic File for a given
year provides a subset of the variables that can be made available earlier than
the Full Year Consolidated Data File which replaces it. The person-level weight
as developed for the earlier file involved the establishment of two separate
person-level weights, one for each of the two individual panels. The two individual
panel weights were composited and raked to CPS control figures. More specifically,
this was accomplished as follows.
The person-level weight for Panel 11 was developed,
including both an adjustment for nonresponse over time and raking. The raking
involved calibrating the nonresponse adjusted weights to sets of marginal control
totals reflecting Current Population Survey (CPS) population estimates based
on the cross-classification of several combinations of five different demographic
and geographic variables (race/ethnicity, sex, age, region, and MSA status).
The person-level weight for Panel 11 was created in the same fashion. Next,
a composite weight was formed from the resulting Panel 11 and Panel 12 weights
by multiplying the individual panel weights by factors corresponding to the
relative sample size of the two panels. A further raking was then undertaken
on this composite weight variable, again based on the same five CPS variables
used for the individual panels. The weight variable PERWT07F for use with variables
on this 2007 Full Year Consolidated Data File was created using this raked,
composite weight when a MEPS variable identifying the poverty status of each
individual became available. Marginal control totals reflecting CPS population
estimates were established based on the cross-classification of six different
demographic and geographic variables: the original five (race/ethnicity, sex,
age, region, and MSA status) as well as poverty status. The earlier raked,
composite weight was raked one last time, with the expanded set of marginal
totals, producing the final weight variable PERWT07F.
Additional details of the weighting for each individual
panel are provided in the following sections.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.2 MEPS Panel 11
The person-level weight for MEPS Panel 11 was developed
using the 2006 full-year weight for an individual as a “base” weight for survey
participants in 2006. For key, inscope respondents who joined an RU some time
in 2007 after being out-of-scope in 2006, the “base” weight was taken to be
the 2006 family weight associated with the family the person joined. The weighting
process included an adjustment for nonresponse over Rounds 4 and 5 as well
as raking to population control totals for December 2007 for key, responding
persons inscope on December 31, 2007. These control totals were derived by
scaling back the population distribution obtained from the March 2008 CPS to
reflect the December 31, 2007 estimated population total (estimated based on
Census projections for January 1, 2008). Variables used for person-level raking
included: Census region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West); MSA status (MSA,
non-MSA); race/ethnicity (Hispanic, Black but non-Hispanic, Asian, and other);
sex; and age. Key responding persons not inscope on December 31, 2007 but inscope
earlier in the year retained, as their final Panel 11 weight, the weight after
the nonresponse adjustment.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.3 MEPS Panel 12
The person-level weight for MEPS Panel 12 was developed
using the MEPS Round 1 person-level weight as a “base” weight. For key, inscope
respondents who joined an RU after Round 1, the Round 1 family weight served
as a “base” weight. The weighting process included an adjustment for nonresponse
over the remaining data collection rounds in 2007 as well as raking to the
same population control figures for December 2007 used for the MEPS Panel 11
weights for key, responding persons inscope on December 31, 2007. The same
five variables employed for Panel 11 raking (Census region, MSA status, race/ethnicity,
sex, and age) were also used for Panel 12 raking. As with Panel 11, Panel 12
key, responding persons not inscope on December 31, 2007 but inscope earlier
in the year retained the weight after nonresponse adjustment as their final
Panel 12 weight.
Note that the MEPS Round 1 weights for both panels incorporated
factors reflecting the following components: the original household probability
of selection for the NHIS; the proportion of the 16 NHIS panel-quarter combinations
eligible for MEPS; the oversampling of certain subgroups for MEPS among the
NHIS household respondents eligible for MEPS; ratio-adjustment to NHIS-based
national population estimates at the household (occupied DU) level; adjustment
for nonresponse at the DU-level for Round 1; and poststratification to U.S.
civilian noninstitutionalized population estimates at the family and person
level obtained from the corresponding March CPS data bases.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.4 Raking
Beginning with the Full Year 2002 files, “raking” has
been employed for the “Full Year” MEPS weighting to calibrate surveys weights
to match designated population control totals, replacing the poststratification
process previously employed. Raking is a commonly used process for adjusting
survey weights so that estimates of subpopulation totals match more stable
figures available from independent sources. It can be thought of as multi-dimensional
poststratification that requires an iterative solution. Survey weights are
poststratified to several sets of control figures (dimensions) in a sequential
and continuous fashion until convergence is achieved. Convergence is the state
where survey weights satisfy the criteria that the sums of the survey weights
for the subgroups represented by the various dimensions are simultaneously
within a specified distance of the corresponding control figures (e.g., within
1, 10, 100, 500, etc. of the control totals). For instance, if one dimension
in a raking effort was sex by MSA status and the specified distance was 10,
then, after convergence has been achieved, the sum of the survey weights for
males in MSA areas would be within 10 of the control figure for males in MSA
areas, etc.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.5 The Weight for the
2007 Full Year Population Characteristic File
The sample weight appearing on the 2007 Full Year Population
Characteristic File, prior to the availability of the MEPS poverty status variable,
was created as follows. First, the two weight variables developed for Panels
11 and 12 as described above were composited using a factor representing their
relative sample sizes. This composited weight variable was then raked to a
set of marginal control totals based on CPS population estimates. Variables
used in this raking process of the person-level weights were: Census region
(Northeast, Midwest, South, West); MSA status (MSA, non-MSA); race/ethnicity
(Hispanic, Black but non-Hispanic, Asian, and other); sex, and age. Persons
included in the raking process were those inscope on December 31, 2007.
In addition, the weights of some persons out-of-scope
on December 31, 2007 were poststratified. Specifically, the weights of persons
out-of-scope on December 31, 2007 that were inscope some time during the year
and also entered a nursing home during the year were poststratified to a corresponding
control total obtained from the 1996 MEPS Nursing Home Component. The weights
of persons who died while inscope during 2007 were poststratified to corresponding
estimates derived using data obtained from the Medicare Current Beneficiary
Survey (MCBS) and Vital Statistics information provided by the National Center
for Health Statistics (NCHS). Separate control totals were developed for the “65
and older” and “under 65” civilian, noninstitutionalized decedent populations.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.6 The Final Poverty-Adjusted Person Level Weight
for 2007
When poverty status classifications based on MEPS data were available for all
MEPS respondents, an additional raking effort was undertaken. More specifically,
the sample weight developed for the 2007 Full Year Population Characteristic
File was raked again, this time to CPS control figures that reflected poverty
status, in addition to the five variables mentioned above. The five poverty status
categories were: under poverty; 100-124 percent of poverty; 125-199 percent of
poverty; 200-399 percent of poverty; 400 percent of poverty and above. This raking
produced the final person level weight assigned to the variable PERWT07F.
Overall, the weighted population estimate for the civilian, noninstitutionalized
population over the course of the year (based on PERWT07F>0) is 301,309,149 (see
Table 3.3). The weighted population for the population that was in-scope for
the survey on December 31, 2007 (based on PERWT07F>0 and INSC1231=1) is 297,823,930.
Table 3.3. Persons with a person weight >0 for the 2007 Full Year Consolidated
Data File
|
Panel 11 |
Panel 12 |
Combined |
Population estimate (weighted total of combined sample) |
Number |
16,170 |
12,882 |
29,370 |
301,309,149 |
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.7 MEPS Population
Estimates
Beginning with the 2001 Full Year data, MEPS transitioned to 2000 census-based
population estimates for poststratification and raking. Prior to 2001, 1990-census-based
estimates were used. In addition, MEPS population estimates have undergone some “discontinuities”,
due to adjustments made to the 2003 CPS estimates (CPS is the source of the control
figures used for raking and poststratification in MEPS). More specifically, MEPS
estimates for the civilian, noninstitutionalized population from the full year
2001 public use files compared to those from previous years show a sizeable increase
in population in 2001. In previous years the percentage increase had been slightly
under one percent, while between the 2000 and 2001 MEPS population estimates
it was roughly two percent. The MEPS file for full year 2001 was the first where
CPS figures reflected 2000 Census figures instead of projections from figures
obtained from the 1990 Census. The projections were somewhat low compared to
2000 Census figures. Some subgroups were particularly affected. For example,
the CPS figures reflecting 2000 Census figures provide population estimates for
Hispanics that are roughly 8 percent higher than previous projections suggested.
For the full year 2003 files there was another discontinuity. The March, 2003
CPS database, the basis of the MEPS full year 2002 control figures, experienced
a one time population adjustment of roughly 941,000, reflecting current information
and research on net migration. This had a large impact on the Hispanic population
(roughly a 1.7 percent increase), a minor impact on the white population (a .4
percent increase), and no change at all in Black population estimates.
For more information about these recent changes in CPS
population estimates, see “Revisions to the Current Population Survey Effective
in January 2003” in the January 2003 issue of the monthly Labor Review (authored
by Mary Bowler, Randy E. Ilg, Stephen Miller, Ed Robison, and Anne Polivka,
all at the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Recent changes in the definition of
racial categories are also noted in this report.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.8 MEPS Population Coverage
The target population associated with this MEPS database
is the 2007 U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population. However, the MEPS
sampled households are a subsample of the NHIS households interviewed in 2005
(Panel 11) and 2006 (Panel 12). New households created after the NHIS interviews
for the respective Panels and consisting exclusively of persons who entered
the target population after 2005 (Panel 11) or after 2006 (Panel 12) are not
covered by MEPS. Neither are previously out-of-scope persons who join an existing
household but are unrelated to the current household residents. Persons not
covered by a given MEPS panel thus include some members of the following groups:
immigrants; persons leaving the military; U.S. citizens returning from residence
in another country; and persons leaving institutions. Those not covered represent
only a small proportion of the MEPS target population.
Some evaluation of NHIS coverage has been undertaken, comparing coverage of households
before and after the NHIS redesign. There is evidence of improved coverage overall
and for some subpopulations.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.5 Background on Family-Level Estimation Using This
MEPS Public Use File
3.5.1 Overview
There are two family weight variables provided in this
release: FAMWT07F and FAMWT07C. FAMWT07F can be used to make estimates for
the cross-section of families in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population
on December 31, 2007 where families are identified based on the MEPS definition
of a family unit. Estimates can include MEPS families that existed at some
time during 2007 but whose members became out-of-scope prior to the end of
the year (e.g., all family members moved out of the country, died, etc.) as
well as MEPS families in existence on December 31, 2007. FAMWT07C can be used
to make estimates for the cross-section of families in the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized
population on December 31, 2007 where families are identified based on the
CPS definition of a family unit.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.5.2 Definition of “Family” for Estimation
Purposes
A MEPS family generally consists of two or more persons living together in the
same household who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, as well as foster
children (foster children are not included as members under the CPS definition
of a family). MEPS also defines as a family unmarried persons living together
who consider themselves a family unit (these are not families under the CPS definition).
Single persons who do not live with a relative nor a person identified as a “significant
other” have also been assigned a family ID value and a family-level weight and
thus can be included or excluded from family-level estimates, as desired. Relatives
identified as usual residents of the household who were not present at the time
of the interview, such as college students living away from their parents’ home
during the school year, were considered as members of the family that identified
them.
To make estimates at the family level, it is necessary to prepare a family-level
file containing one record per family (see instructions below), family-level
summary characteristics, and the family-level weight variable (FAMWT07F or FAMWT07C).
Each MEPS family unit is uniquely identified by the combination of the variables
DUID and FAMIDYR while each CPS family unit is uniquely identified by the combination
of the variables DUID and CPSFAMID. The number of persons in a MEPS sample family
ranges from 1 to 13 and the number in the CPS families ranges from 1 to 13. Only
persons with positive nonzero family weight values are candidates for inclusion
in family estimates.
Two sets of families for whom estimates can be obtained
are defined in table 3.4 below (along with respective sample sizes). Persons
with FMRS1231=1 were inscope for the survey on 12/31/07 and therefore part
of a MEPS family on 12/31/07. The more expansive definition of families (second
row in table 3.4) includes families and members of families who were not inscope
at the end of the year. While MEPS includes individual persons as family units
(about one-third of all units), analysts may restrict their analyses to families
with two or more members using the family size variables shown in table 3.4
(for example, to limit consideration to the cross-section of families with
two or more members on December 31, 2007, analyze only families where FAMS1231
is 2 or more). Estimates can also be made for the cross-section of CPS families
on December 31, 2007 based on the 11,873 sample CPS families in this data file.
Return To Table Of Contents
Table 3.4 Identifying MEPS Families and Corresponding
Sample Sizes
Population of Interest |
Cases to Include |
Sample Size
(Includes single person units) |
Family Size Variable |
Cross-section of Families in the Civilian Noninstitutionalized
Population on 12/31/07 |
FAMWT07F>0 & FMRS1231=1 |
11,513 |
FAMS1231 |
Families in the Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population
on 12/31/07 plus families and members of families in existence earlier
in 2007 who were not part of the civilian noninstitutionalized population
on 12/31/07 |
FAMWT07F>0 |
11,615 |
FAMSZEYR |
Return To Table Of Contents
3.5.3 Instructions to
Create Family Estimates
The following is a summary of the steps and the variables
to be used for family-level estimation based on the MEPS definition of families.
- Concatenate the variables DUID and FAMIDYR into a
new variable (e.g., DUIDFAMY).
- To create a family-level file, sort by DUIDFAMY and
then subset to one record per DUIDFAMY value by retaining only the reference
person record (FAMRFPYR=1) for each value of DUIDFAMY. Some family-level
measures needed for analytic purposes (e.g., means or totals) can be obtained
after aggregating person-level information across all members of a family.
For other types of measures, analysts frequently use the characteristics
of the reference person to characterize his or her family unit (e.g., the
race/ethnicity, marital status, or age of the reference person).
- Apply the weight FAMWT07F to the analytic variable(s)
of interest to obtain national MEPS family estimates.
The following is a summary of the steps and the variables
to be used for family-level estimation based on the CPS definition of families.
- Concatenate the variables DUID and CPSFAMID into a
new variable (e.g., DUIDFAMC).
- To create a family-level file, sort by DUIDFAMC and
then subset to one record per DUIDFAMC value by retaining only the reference
person record (FCRP1231=1) for each value of DUIDFAMC. Some family-level
measures needed for analytic purposes (e.g., means or totals) can be obtained
after aggregating person-level information across all members of a family.
For other types of measures, analysts frequently use the characteristics
of the reference person to characterize his or her family unit (e.g., the
race/ethnicity, marital status, or age of the reference person).
- Apply the weight FAMWT07C to the analytic variable(s)
of interest to obtain national CPS family estimates.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.5.4 Details on Family
Weight Construction and Estimated Number of Families
Because health care related decisions are influenced
by a family's economic status, poverty status is incorporated into the poststratification
component of the weighting process. However, poverty status is defined based
on the CPS definition of a family, which differs from the MEPS family definition
in two ways: foster children are not considered family members and unmarried
partners living together are considered separate family units. Since data are
collected in MEPS family units (RUs), prior to poststratification MEPS families
in existence on December 31, 2007 containing either unmarried partners living
together or foster children were partitioned into units that correspond to
CPS families (families with no unmarried partners or foster children are defined
as family units in both MEPS and CPS).
The process of calibrating the family weights to achieve consistency with CPS
control figures was carried out in several steps. First, all CPS-like family
units were assigned an initial family-level weight based on the person-level
weight (PERWT07F) of the family reference person (FAMRFPYR=1) of the MEPS family
with which they were associated. These CPS family-level weights (FAMWT07C) were
obtained by raking to population control figures derived from CPS estimates for
December 2007 (derived by scaling the family population totals from the March
2008 CPS back to reflect December 31, 2007). In addition to poverty status, the
calibration process for the family-level weights incorporated the following variables:
Census region; MSA status; race/ethnicity of reference person (Hispanic, black
but non Hispanic, Asian, and other); family type (reference person married, living
with spouse; male reference person, unmarried or spouse not present; female reference
person, unmarried or spouse not present); age of reference person; and family
size on December 31, 2007. The family level weight variable for MEPS families
(FAMWT07F) was then constructed by putting MEPS families that consisted of more
than one CPS-like family back together and assigning the MEPS family level weight
based on the CPS family weight of the MEPS family reference person.
The weighted population estimate for CPS families on December 31, 2007 based
on 11,873 CPS families in the sample is 130,346,831. Overall, the weighted population
estimate for the 11,513 MEPS family units containing at least one member of the
U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population on December 31, 2007 (those families
whose members have FAMWT07F>0 and FMRS1231=1) is 126,531,625. The inclusion of
families whose members left the inscope population prior to December 31, 2007
increases the estimated total number of families represented by the 11,615 MEPS
responding families (whose members have FAMWT07F>0) to 127,885,890.
Table 3.5. Families with a family weight >0 for the 2007 Full Year Consolidated
Data File
|
Panel 11 |
Panel 12 |
Combined |
Population estimate (weighted total of combined sample) |
Number |
6,456 |
5,159 |
11,615 |
127,885,890 |
Return To Table Of Contents
3.6 Analysis Using
Health Insurance Eligibility Units
To construct a weight for use in analysis using Health
Insurance Eligibility Units, as identified by the variable HIEUIDX:
- Identify the HIEU head by your analytic intent,
i.e. if only studying heath insurance unit with female heads of households,
choose the female adult as head of household.
- If the weight of the HIEU head is non-zero, use
the weight of the HIEU head or all members of that HIEU; or
If the weight of the HIEU head is zero, delete the case.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.7 Weights and Response
Rates for the Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ)
For analytic purposes, a single person-level weight variable, SAQWT07F, has been
provided for use with the data obtained from the Self-Administered Questionnaire
(SAQ). This questionnaire was administered in Panel 12, Round 2 and Panel 11,
Round 4 and was to be completed by each adult (person aged 18 or older) in the
family. Thus, the target population for the SAQ is adults in the civilian, noninstitutionalized
population at the time data were collected for Rounds 2/4.
As with the development of the final 2007 full year person-level weight, the
final 2007 SAQ weight builds on the development of the SAQ weight established
for the 2007 Full Year Population Characteristic File. This latter weight variable
was developed by first adjusting for questionnaire non-response. Variables used
in the nonresponse adjustment process were region, MSA status, family size, marital
status, level of education, health status, health insurance status, age, sex
and race/ethnicity. Then the weights were raked to Current Population Survey
(CPS) estimates corresponding to December 2007 (the same source of control figures
used for the full year person weights). The variables used to form control figures
were region, MSA status, age, sex, and race/ethnicity, as were used for the full
year person weights. The only difference was that age categories were developed
after excluding ages under 18, since only adults were eligible for the SAQ. This
produced the SAQ weight assigned to the 2007 Full year Population Characteristic
File.
The final 2007 SAQ weight for this consolidated data file was obtained by raking
this weight to CPS estimates that were based on poverty status as well as the
five aforementioned variables. This final weight was assigned the variable name
SAQWT07F.
In all, there were 19,067 persons assigned a SAQ weight with the sum of the weights
being 223,520,906 (an estimate of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population
aged 18 or older at the time the SAQ was administered).
The Panel 11 response rate for the 2007 SAQ was 92.6 percent, while the Panel
12 response rate for the 2007 SAQ was 90.7 percent. Pooled response rates for
the survey respondents have been computed by taking a weighted average of the
panel-specific response rates, where the weights were the relative proportion
of persons with sample weights associated with each panel (a value of .56 was
associated with Panel 11 and a value of .44 was associated with Panel 12). The
pooled response rate for the combined panels for the 2007 SAQ is 91.8 percent.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.8 Weights and Response Rates for the Diabetes
Care Survey
A person-level weight, DIABW07F, was developed for use with the data obtained
from the Diabetes Care Survey (DCS). This weight was assigned to each person
with a SAQ weight who was also classified as having diabetes (thus, no one aged
17 or under receives a DCS weight).
To determine this classification, the RU respondent was asked to identify any
family member in the residence having diabetes. Then, those identified with diabetes
were asked if a doctor had ever indicated that the person had diabetes. Those
who responded affirmatively to that question and who also had a SAQ weight were
assigned a DCS weight.
However, the process changed somewhat for Panel 12 compared to previous MEPS
Panels. Prior to Panel 12, the identification by the RU respondent took place
in Round 3 for the first calendar year of the panel and Round 5 of the second
year. Beginning in Panel 12 questions were posed to the RU respondent about whether
persons in an RU had diabetes beginning in Round 1, providing a more expansive
approach to identifying people with diabetes. It should also be noted that with
this new approach, if, at a later date, an RU respondent volunteered that someone
previously identified with diabetes did not actually have diabetes, that person
did not receive a DCS questionnaire.
In all, 1,747 people were assigned a DCS weight (DIABW07F>0).
The sum of the DCS weights is 19,320,394, an estimate of the adult population
self-reporting as having been diagnosed with diabetes as identified by the
two step process described above. This estimate likely understates the number
of persons with diabetes because occasionally a family member with diabetes
may not have been identified by the RU respondent. In addition, persons who
joined an RU in Round 3 of Panel 12 or Round 5 of Panel 11, some of whom may
have diabetes, were not eligible for the SAQ and thus not eligible for a DCS
weight.
The Panel 11 response rate for the 2007 DCS was 89.1
percent. The Panel 12 response rate for the 2007 DCS was 90.0 percent. The
pooled response rate for the combined panels for the DCS is 89.5 percent. The
pooled response rate is a weighted average for the two panels, reflecting their
relative sample sizes (roughly 44.0 percent of the respondents are from Panel
12, the remaining 56.0 percent from Panel 11).
Return To Table Of Contents
3.9 Variance Estimation
MEPS is based on a complex sample design. To obtain estimates of variability
(such as the standard error of sample estimates or corresponding confidence intervals)
for MEPS estimates, analysts need to take into account the complex sample design
of MEPS for both person-level and family-level analyses. Several methodologies
have been developed for estimating standard errors for surveys with a complex
sample design, including the Taylor-series linearization method, balanced repeated
replication, and jackknife replication. Various software packages provide analysts
with the capability of implementing these methodologies. Replicate weights have
not been developed for the MEPS data. Instead, the variables needed to calculate
appropriate standard errors based on the Taylor-series linearization method are
included on this file as well as all other MEPS public use files. Software packages
that permit the use of the Taylor-series linearization method include SUDAAN,
Stata, SAS (version 8.2 and higher), and SPSS (version 12.0 and higher). For
complete information on the capabilities of each package, analysts should refer
to the corresponding software user documentation.
Using the Taylor-series linearization method, variance estimation strata and
the variance estimation PSUs within these strata must be specified. The variables
VARSTR and VARPSU on this MEPS data file serve to identify the sampling strata
and primary sampling units required by the variance estimation programs. Specifying
a “with replacement” design in one of the previously mentioned computer software
packages will provide estimated standard errors appropriate for assessing the
variability of MEPS survey estimates. It should be noted that the number of degrees
of freedom associated with estimates of variability indicated by such a package
may not appropriately reflect the number available. For variables of interest
distributed throughout the country (and thus the MEPS sample PSUs), one can generally
expect to have at least 100 degrees of freedom associated with the estimated
standard errors for national estimates based on this MEPS database.
Prior to 2002, MEPS variance strata and PSUs were developed
independently from year to year, and the last two characters of the strata
and PSU variable names denoted the rounds. However, beginning with the 2002
Point-in-Time PUF, the variance strata and PSUs were developed to be compatible
with all future PUF until the NHIS design changed. Thus, when pooling data
across years 2002 through the Panel 11 component of the 2007 files, the variance
strata and PSU variables provided can be used without modification (except
for the necessary renumbering of the 2007 variance strata and PSU values, as
discussed below) for variance estimation purposes for estimates covering multiple
years of data. There were 203 variance estimation strata, each stratum with
either two or three variance estimation PSUs.
For the 2007 Full Year file, there are 368 variance
strata available for variance estimation with either two or three variance
estimation PSUs per stratum. There are more strata in 2007 than in recent years
because the 2007 Full Year file consists of two panels that were selected under
two independent NHIS sample designs, as described earlier. There are 165 variance
strata associated with Panel 12 in the 2007 file and 203 associated with Panel
11, 368 strata in total. Those numbered 1001-1165 are associated with Panel 12
while those numbered 1-203 are associated with Panel 11.
If analyses call for pooling MEPS data across several
years, in order to ensure that variance strata are identified appropriately
for variance estimation purposes, one can proceed as follows:
- When pooling any year from 2002 or later, one can use the variance strata numbering as is.
- When pooling any year from 1996 to 2001 with any
year from 2002 or later, use the H36 file.
- The H36 file is updated every year to allow pooling of any year from 1996 to 2001 with any year from 2002 up to the latest year.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.10 Guidelines for
Determining which Weight to Use for Analysis Involving Data/Variables from
Multiple Sources and Supplements
Decisions on which weight variable to use are based on a hierarchy.
For person level analyses not involving variables from the SAQ or DCS, PERWT07F
should always be used.
For person-level analysis involving variables from the SAQ but not the DCS,
the SAQWT07F should be used. For example, if examining access to care or quality
of care variables from the SAQ by social-demographics, health status, or health
insurance, SAQWT07F is the appropriate weight even though person level socio-demographic,
health status, and health insurance variables are part of the core person level
questionnaire. Whenever data from the Diabetes Care Survey (DCS) are used,
alone
or in conjunction with data from other questionnaires, the weight variable
DIABW07F should be used for those eligible to provide DCS data.
For all family-level analyses, FAMWT07F or FAMWT07C should be used.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.11 Using MEPS Data
for Trend Analysis
MEPS began in 1996 and the utility of the survey for analyzing health care trends
expands with each additional year of data; however, it is important to consider
a variety of factors when examining trends over time using MEPS. Statistical
significance tests should be conducted to assess the likelihood that observed
trends are not attributable to sampling variation. The length of time being analyzed
should also be considered. In particular, large shifts in survey estimates over
short periods of time (e.g. from one year to the next) that are statistically
significant should be interpreted with caution, unless they are attributable
to known factors such as changes in public policy, economic conditions, or MEPS
survey methodology. In particular, beginning with the 2007 data, the rules used
to identify outlier prices for prescription medications became much less stringent
than in prior years. Starting with 2007, there is less editing of prices and
quantities reported by pharmacies, and a somewhat lower proportion of spending
on drugs is by families, as opposed to third-party payers. Therefore users should
be cautious in the types of comparisons they make about prescription drug spending
before and after 2007. For other time periods or other variables, looking at
changes over longer periods of time can provide a more complete picture of underlying
trends. Analysts of MEPS data may wish to consider using techniques to evaluate,
smooth, or stabilize estimates of trends. Such techniques include comparing pooled
time periods (e.g. 1996-97 versus 2005-06), working with moving averages, or
using modeling techniques with several consecutive years of MEPS data to test
the fit of specified patterns over time. Finally, researchers should be aware
of the impact of multiple comparisons on Type I error (i.e., the chance of declaring
an observed difference to be statistically significant when there is no difference
in the population parameters). Performing numerous statistical significance tests
increases the likelihood of a Type I error.
Return To Table Of Contents
D. Variable-Source Crosswalk
SURVEY ADMINISTRATION VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
DUID |
Dwelling Unit ID |
Assigned in Sampling |
PID |
Person Number |
Assigned in Sampling or by CAPI |
DUPERSID |
Person ID (DUID + PID) |
Assigned in Sampling |
PANEL |
Panel Number |
Constructed |
FAMID31 |
Family ID (Student Merged In) – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMID42 |
Family ID (Student Merged In) – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMID53 |
Family ID (Student Merged In) – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMID07 |
Family ID (Student Merged In) – 12/31/07 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMIDYR |
Annual Family Identifier |
Constructed |
CPSFAMID |
CPS-Like Family Identifier |
Constructed |
HIEUIDX |
Health Insurance Eligibility Unit Identifier |
Constructed |
FCSZ1231 |
Family Size Responding 12/31 CPS Family |
Constructed |
FCRP1231 |
Ref Person of 12/31 CPS Family |
Constructed |
RULETR31 |
RU Letter – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
RULETR42 |
RU Letter – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
RULETR53 |
RU Letter – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
RULETR07 |
RU Letter as of 12/31/07 |
CAPI Derived |
RUSIZE31 |
RU Size – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
RUSIZE42 |
RU Size – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
RUSIZE53 |
RU Size – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
RUSIZE07 |
RU Size as of 12/31/07 |
CAPI Derived |
RUCLAS31 |
RU fielded as: Standard/New/Student – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
RUCLAS42 |
RU fielded as: Standard/New/Student – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
RUCLAS53 |
RU fielded as: Standard/New/Student – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
RUCLAS07 |
RU fielded as: Standard/New/Stud-12/31/07 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMSZE31 |
RU Size Including Students – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMSZE42 |
RU Size Including Students – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMSZE53 |
RU Size Including Students – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
FAMSZE07 |
RU Size Including Students as of 12/31/07 |
CAPI Derived |
FMRS1231 |
Member of Responding 12/31 Family |
Constructed |
FAMS1231 |
Family Size of Responding 12/31 Family |
Constructed |
FAMSZEYR |
Size of Responding Annualized Family |
Constructed |
FAMRFPYR |
Reference Person of Annualized Family |
Constructed |
REGION31 |
Census Region – R3/1 |
Assigned in Sampling |
REGION42 |
Census Region – R4/2 |
Assigned in Sampling |
REGION53 |
Census Region – R5/3 |
Assigned in Sampling |
REGION07 |
Census Region as of 12/31/07 |
Assigned in Sampling |
MSA31 |
MSA Status – R3/1 |
Assigned in Sampling |
MSA42 |
MSA Status – R4/2 |
Assigned in Sampling |
MSA53 |
MSA Status – R5/3 |
Assigned in Sampling |
MSA07 |
MSA Status as of 12/31/07 |
Assigned in Sampling |
REFPRS31 |
Reference Person at - R3/1 |
RE 42-45 |
REFPRS42 |
Reference Person at - R4/2 |
RE 42-45 |
REFPRS53 |
Reference Person at - R5/3 |
RE 42-45 |
REFPRS07 |
Reference Person as of 12/31/07 |
RE 42-45 |
RESP31 |
1st Respondent Indicator for R3/1 |
RE 6, 8 |
RESP42 |
1st Respondent Indicator for R4/2 |
RE 6, 8 |
RESP53 |
1st Respondent Indicator for R5/3 |
RE 6, 8 |
RESP07 |
1st Respondent Indicator as of 12/31/07 |
RE 6, 8 |
PROXY31 |
Was Respondent a Proxy in R3/1 |
RE 2 |
PROXY42 |
Was Respondent a Proxy in R4/2 |
RE 2 |
PROXY53 |
Was Respondent a Proxy in R5/3 |
RE 2 |
PROXY07 |
Was Respondent a Proxy as of 12/31/07 |
RE 2 |
INTVLANG |
Language Interview Was Completed |
CL62A |
BEGRFM31 |
R3/1 Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
BEGRFY31 |
R3/1 Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFM31 |
R3/1 Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFY31 |
R3/1 Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
BEGRFM42 |
R4/2 Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
BEGRFY42 |
R4/2 Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFM42 |
R4/2 Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFY42 |
R4/2 Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
BEGRFM53 |
R5/3 Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
BEGRFY53 |
R5/3 Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFM53 |
R5/3 Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFY53 |
R5/3 Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
ENDRFM07 |
2007 Reference Period End Date: Month |
RE Section |
ENDRFY07 |
2007 Reference Period End Date: Year |
RE Section |
KEYNESS |
Person Key Status |
RE Section |
INSCOP31 |
Inscope – R3/1 |
RE Section |
INSCOP42 |
Inscope – R4/2 |
RE Section |
INSCOP53 |
Inscope – R5/3 |
RE Section |
INSCOP07 |
Inscope – R5/3 Start through 12/31/07 |
RE Section |
INSC1231 |
Inscope Status on 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
INSCOPE |
Was Person Ever Inscope in 2007 |
RE Section |
ELGRND31 |
Eligibility – R3/1 |
RE Section |
ELGRND42 |
Eligibility – R4/2 |
RE Section |
ELGRND53 |
Eligibility – R5/3 |
RE Section |
ELGRND07 |
Eligibility Status as of 12/31/07 |
RE Section |
PSTATS31 |
Person Disposition Status – R3/1 |
RE Section |
PSTATS42 |
Person Disposition Status – R4/2 |
RE Section |
PSTATS53 |
Person Disposition Status – R5/3 |
RE Section |
RURSLT31 |
RU Result – R3/1 |
Assigned by CAPI |
RURSLT42 |
RU Result – R4/2 |
Assigned by CAPI |
RURSLT53 |
RU Result – R5/3 |
Assigned by CAPI |
Return To Table Of Contents
DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
AGE31X |
Age – R3/1 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 12, 57-66 |
AGE42X |
Age – R4/2 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 12, 57-66 |
AGE53X |
Age – R5/3 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 12, 57-66 |
AGE07X |
Age as of 12/31/07 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 12, 57-66 |
DOBMM |
Date of Birth: Month |
RE 12, 57-66 |
DOBYY |
Date of Birth: Year |
RE 12, 57-66 |
SEX |
Sex |
RE 12, 57, 61 |
RACEX |
Race (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
RACEAX |
Asian Among Races Rptd (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
RACEBX |
Black Among Races Rptd (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
RACEWX |
White Among Races Rptd (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
RACETHNX |
Race/Ethnicity (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 98A-100A |
HISPANX |
Hispanic Ethnicity (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 98A-101A |
HISPCAT |
Specific Hispanic Ethnicity Group |
RE 98A-101A |
MARRY31X |
Marital Status – R3/1 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 13, 97 |
MARRY42X |
Marital Status – R4/2 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 13, 97 |
MARRY53X |
Marital Status – R5/3 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 13, 97 |
MARRY07X |
Marital Status–12/31/07 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 13, 97 |
SPOUID31 |
Spouse ID – R3/1 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUID42 |
Spouse ID – R4/2 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUID53 |
Spouse ID – R5/3 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUID07 |
Spouse ID – 12/31/07 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUIN31 |
Marital Status w/ Spouse Present – R3/1 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUIN42 |
Marital Status w/ Spouse Present – R4/2 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUIN53 |
Marital Status w/ Spouse Present – R5/3 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
SPOUIN07 |
Marital Status w/Spouse Present–12/31/07 |
RE 13, 76, 77, 97 |
EDUCYR |
Years of Educ When First Entered MEPS |
RE 103-105 |
HIDEG |
Highest Degree When First Entered MEPS |
RE 103-105 |
FTSTU31X |
Student Status if Ages 17-23 – R3/1 |
RE 11A, 106-108 |
FTSTU42X |
Student Status if Ages 17-23 – R4/2 |
RE 11A, 106-108 |
FTSTU53X |
Student Status if Ages 17-23 – R5/3 |
RE 11A, 106-108 |
FTSTU07X |
Student Status if Ages 17-23 – 12/31/07 |
RE 11A, 106-108 |
ACTDTY31 |
Military Full-Time Active Duty – R3/1 |
RE 14, 94A-96B1 |
ACTDTY42 |
Military Full-Time Active Duty – R4/2 |
RE 14, 96B1 |
ACTDTY53 |
Military Full-Time Active Duty – R5/3 |
RE 14, 96B1 |
HONRDC31 |
Honorably Discharged from Military |
RE 18A, 96F-G |
HONRDC42 |
Honorably Discharged from Military |
RE 18A, 96G |
HONRDC53 |
Honorably Discharged from Military |
RE 18A, 96G |
RFREL31X |
Relation to Ref Pers – R3/1 (Edit/Imp) |
RE 76-77 |
RFREL42X |
Relation to Ref Pers – R4/2 (Edit/Imp) |
RE 76-77 |
RFREL53X |
Relation to Ref Pers – R5/3 (Edit/Imp) |
RE 76-77 |
RFREL07X |
Relation to Ref Pers – 12/31/07 (Edit/Imp) |
RE 76-77 |
MOPID31X |
PID of Person’s Mom – RD 3/1 |
RE 76-77 |
MOPID42X |
PID of Person’s Mom – RD 4/2 |
RE 76-77 |
MOPID53X |
PID of Person’s Mom – RD 5/3 |
RE 76-77 |
DAPID31X |
PID of Person’s Dad – RD 3/1 |
RE 76-77 |
DAPID42X |
PID of Person’s Dad – RD 4/2 |
RE 76-77 |
DAPID53X |
PID of Person’s Dad – RD 5/3 |
RE 76-77 |
Return To Table Of Contents
INCOME VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
SSIDIS07 |
SSI Receipt Due To Disability |
IN 39 |
AFDC07 |
Did Person’s Check Include Tanf |
IN 44 |
FILEDR07 |
Has Person Filed A Fed Income Tax Return |
IN 02 |
WILFIL07 |
Will Person File Fed Income Tax Return |
IN 03 |
FLSTAT07 |
Person’s Filing Status |
IN 04 |
FILER07 |
Primary Or Secondary Filer |
IN 04 |
JTINRU07 |
Joint Filer’s Membership In RU |
IN 05 |
JNTPID07 |
PID of Joint Filer |
IN 05 |
CLMDEP07 |
Did/Will Pers Claim Dependents On Return |
IN 06 |
DEPDNT07 |
Person Is Flagged A Dependent |
IN 07 |
DPINRU07 |
Dependents In/Out Of RU |
IN 07 |
DPOTSD07 |
How Many Dependents Live Outside RU |
IN 08 |
TAXFRM07 |
Tax Form Person Will File |
IN 09 |
DEDUCT07 |
Itemize Or Standard Deduction |
IN 10 |
TOTDED07 |
Total Of All Itemized Deductions |
IN 14 |
CLMHIP07 |
Did/Will Pers Deduct Health Insur Prem |
IN 15 |
EICRDT07 |
Did/Will Pers Receive Earned Inc Credit |
IN 17 |
FOODST07 |
Did Anyone Receive Food Stamps |
IN 55 |
FOODMN07 |
Number Of Months Food Stamps Received |
IN 56 |
FOODVL07 |
Monthly Value Of Food Stamps |
IN 58 |
TTLP07X |
Person’s Total Income |
Constructed |
FAMINC |
Family’s Total Income |
Constructed |
POVCAT07 |
Family Income As Percent Of Poverty Line - Categorical |
Constructed |
POVLEV07 |
Family Income As Percent Of Poverty Line - Continuous |
Constructed |
WAGEP07X |
Person’s Wage Income |
Constructed |
WAGIMP07 |
Wage Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
BUSNP07X |
Person’s Business Income |
Constructed |
BUSIMP07 |
Business Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
UNEMP07X |
Person’s Unemployment Comp Income |
Constructed |
UNEIMP07 |
Unemployment Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
WCMPP07X |
Person’s Workers’ Compensation |
Constructed |
WCPIMP07 |
Workers' Comp Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
INTRP07X |
Person’s Interest Income |
Constructed |
INTIMP07 |
Interest Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
DIVDP07X |
Person’s Dividend Income |
Constructed |
DIVIMP07 |
Dividend Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
SALEP07X |
Person’s Sales Income |
Constructed |
SALIMP07 |
Sales Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
PENSP07X |
Person’s Pension Income |
Constructed |
PENIMP07 |
Pension Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
SSECP07X |
Person’s Social Security Income |
Constructed |
SSCIMP07 |
Social Security Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
TRSTP07X |
Person’s Trust/Rent Income |
Constructed |
TRTIMP07 |
Trust Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
VETSP07X |
Person’s Veteran’s Income |
Constructed |
VETIMP07 |
Veteran's Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
IRASP07X |
Person’s Ira Income |
Constructed |
IRAIMP07 |
Ira Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
REFDP07X |
Person’s Refund Income |
Constructed |
REFIMP07 |
Refund Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
ALIMP07X |
Person’s Alimony Income |
Constructed |
ALIIMP07 |
Alimony Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
CHLDP07X |
Person’s Child Support |
Constructed |
CHLIMP07 |
Child Support Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
CASHP07X |
Person’s Other Regular Cash Contrib |
Constructed |
CSHIMP07 |
Cash Contribution Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
SSIP07X |
Person’s SSI |
Constructed |
SSIIMP07 |
SSI Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
PUBP07X |
Person’s Public Assistance |
Constructed |
PUBIMP07 |
Public Assistance Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
OTHRP07X |
Person’s Other Income |
Constructed |
OTHIMP07 |
Other Income Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
PERSON-LEVEL CONDITION VARIABLES - PUBLIC USE
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
RTHLTH31 |
Perceived Health Status – RD 3/1 |
CE 1/PE00A |
RTHLTH42 |
Perceived Health Status – RD 4/2 |
CE 1/PE00A |
RTHLTH53 |
Perceived Health Status – RD 5/3 |
CE 1/PE00A |
MNHLTH31 |
Perceived Mental Health Status – RD 3/1 |
CE 2/PE00B |
MNHLTH42 |
Perceived Mental Health Status – RD 4/2 |
CE 2/PE00B |
MNHLTH53 |
Perceived Mental Health Status – RD 5/3 |
CE 2/PE00B |
HIBPDX |
High Blood Pressure Diag (>17) |
PC09/PE02 |
BPMLDX |
Mult Diag High Blood Press (>17) |
PC10/PE04 |
CHDDX |
Coronary Hrt Disease Diag (>17) |
PC12_01/PE05 |
ANGIDX |
Angina Diagnosis (>17) |
PC12_02/PE07 |
MIDX |
Heart Attack (MI) Diag (>17) |
PC12_03/PE09 |
OHRTDX |
Other Heart Disease Diag (>17) |
PC12_04/PE11 |
STRKDX |
Stroke Diagnosis (>17) |
PC12_05/PE13 |
EMPHDX |
Emphysema Diagnosis (>17) |
PC12_06/PE15 |
CHOLDX |
High Cholesterol Diagnosis (>17) |
PC11A/PE19 |
CHLAGE |
How Old When Diag w/ Hgh Chol(>17) |
PC11B/PE20 |
DIABDX |
Diabetes Diagnosis (>17) |
PC02/PE26 |
JTPAIN31 |
Joint Pain Last 12 Months (>17) – RD 3/1 |
PE28 |
JTPAIN53 |
Joint Pain Last 12 Months (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PC18/PE28 |
ARTHDX |
Arthritis Diagnosis (>17) |
PC19/PE29 |
ASTHDX |
Asthma Diagnosis |
PC04/PE32 |
ASSTIL31 |
Does Person Still Have Asthma – RD 3/1 |
PE33A |
ASSTIL53 |
Does Person Still Have Asthma - RD 5/3 |
PC04A/PE33A |
ASATAK31 |
Asthma Attack Last 12 Mos– RD 3/1 |
PE34 |
ASATAK53 |
Asthma Attack Last 12 Mos– RD 5/3 |
PC05/PE34 |
ASACUT53 |
Used Acute Pres Inhaler Last 3 Mos-RD5/3 |
PC05A |
ASMRCN53 |
Used >3Acute Cn Pres Inh Last 3 Mos-RD5/3 |
PC05B |
ASPREV53 |
Ever Used Prev Daily Asthma Meds -RD5/3 |
PC06A |
ASDALY53 |
Now Take Prev Daily Asthma Meds - RD 5/3 |
PC06B |
ASPKFL53 |
Have Peak Flow Meter at Home – RD 5/3 |
PC08 |
ASEVFL53 |
Ever Used Peak Flow Meter - RD 5/3 |
PC08A |
ASWNFL53 |
When Last Used Peak Flow Meter - RD 5/3 |
PC08B |
Return To Table Of Contents
HEALTH STATUS VARIABLES - PUBLIC USE
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
IADLHP31 |
IADL Screener – RD 3/1 |
HE 2-4 |
IADLHP42 |
IADL Screener – RD 4/2 |
HE 2-4 |
IADLHP53 |
IADL Screener – RD 5/3 |
HE 2-4 |
IADL3M31 |
IADL Help 3+ Months – RD 3/1 |
HE 3A |
IADL3M42 |
IADL Help 3+ Months – RD 4/2 |
HE 3A |
IADL3M53 |
IADL Help 3+ Months – RD 5/3 |
HE 3A |
ADLHLP31 |
ADL Screener – RD 3/1 |
HE 5-6 |
ADLHLP42 |
ADL Screener – RD 4/2 |
HE 5-6 |
ADLHLP53 |
ADL Screener – RD 5/3 |
HE 5-6 |
ADL3MO31 |
ADL Help 3+ Months – RD 3/1 |
HE 6A |
ADL3MO42 |
ADL Help 3+ Months – RD 4/2 |
HE 6A |
ADL3MO53 |
ADL Help 3+ Months – RD 5/3 |
HE 6A |
AIDHLP31 |
Used Assistive Devices – RD 3/1 |
HE 7-8 |
AIDHLP53 |
Used Assistive Devices – RD 5/3 |
HE 7-8 |
WLKLIM31 |
Limitation in Physical Functioning – RD 3/1 |
HE 9-18 |
WLKLIM53 |
Limitation in Physical Functioning – RD 5/3 |
HE 9-18 |
LFTDIF31 |
Difficulty Lifting 10 Pounds – RD 3/1 |
HE 11 |
LFTDIF53 |
Difficulty Lifting 10 Pounds – RD 5/3 |
HE 11 |
STPDIF31 |
Difficulty Walking up 10 Steps – RD 3/1 |
HE 12 |
STPDIF53 |
Difficulty Walking up 10 Steps – RD 5/3 |
HE 12 |
WLKDIF31 |
Difficulty Walking 3 Blocks – RD 3/1 |
HE 13 |
WLKDIF53 |
Difficulty Walking 3 Blocks – RD 5/3 |
HE 13 |
MILDIF31 |
Difficulty Walking a Mile – RD 3/1 |
HE 14 |
MILDIF53 |
Difficulty Walking a Mile – RD 5/3 |
HE 14 |
STNDIF31 |
Difficulty Standing 20 Minutes – RD 3/1 |
HE 15 |
STNDIF53 |
Difficulty Standing 20 Minutes – RD 5/3 |
HE 15 |
BENDIF31 |
Difficulty Bending/Stooping – RD 3/1 |
HE 16 |
BENDIF53 |
Difficulty Bending/Stooping – RD 5/3 |
HE 16 |
RCHDIF31 |
Difficulty Reaching Overhead – RD 3/1 |
HE 17 |
RCHDIF53 |
Difficulty Reaching Overhead – RD 5/3 |
HE 17 |
FNGRDF31 |
Difficulty Using Fingers to Grasp – RD 3/1 |
HE 18 |
FNGRDF53 |
Difficulty Using Fingers to Grasp – RD 5/3 |
HE 18 |
WLK3MO31 |
Phys Functioning Help 3+ Months – RD 3/1 |
HE 18A |
WLK3MO53 |
Phys Functioning Help 3+ Months – RD 5/3 |
HE 18A |
ACTLIM31 |
Any Limitation Work/Housewrk/Schl – RD 3/1 |
HE 19-20 |
ACTLIM53 |
Any Limitation Work/Housewrk/Schl – RD 5/3 |
HE 19-20 |
WRKLIM31 |
Work Limitation – RD 3/1 |
HE 20A |
WRKLIM53 |
Work Limitation – RD 5/3 |
HE 20A |
HSELIM31 |
Housework Limitation – RD 3/1 |
HE 20A |
HSELIM53 |
Housework Limitation – RD 5/3 |
HE 20A |
SCHLIM31 |
School Limitation – RD 3/1 |
HE 20A |
SCHLIM53 |
School Limitation – RD 5/3 |
HE 20A |
UNABLE31 |
Completely Unable to Do Activity – RD 3/1 |
HE 21 |
UNABLE53 |
Completely Unable to Do Activity – RD 5/3 |
HE 21 |
SOCLIM31 |
Social Limitations – RD 3/1 |
HE 22-23 |
SOCLIM53 |
Social Limitations – RD 5/3 |
HE 22-23 |
COGLIM31 |
Cognitive Limitations – RD 3/1 |
HE 24-25 |
COGLIM53 |
Cognitive Limitations – RD 5/3 |
HE 24-25 |
WRGLAS42 |
Wears Glasses or Contacts – RD 4/2 |
HE 26-27 |
SEEDIF42 |
Diffclty Seeing w/Glasses/Cntcts–RD 4/2 |
HE 28-29 |
BLIND42 |
Person Is Blind – RD 4/2 |
HE 30 |
READNW42 |
Can Read Newsprnt w/Glasses/Cntcts-RD4/2 |
HE 31 |
RECPEP42 |
Can Recgnze People w/Glasses/Cntcts-R4/2 |
HE 32 |
VISION42 |
Vision Impairment (Summary) – RD 4/2 |
Constructed |
HEARAD42 |
Person Wears Hearing Aid – RD 4/2 |
HE 33-34 |
HEARDI42 |
Any Difficlty Hearing w/Hearing Aid–RD4/2 |
HE 35-36 |
DEAF42 |
Person Is Deaf – RD 4/2 |
HE 37 |
HEARMO42 |
Can Hear Most Conversation – RD 4/2 |
HE 38 |
HEARSM42 |
Can Hear Some Conversation – RD 4/2 |
HE 39 |
HEARNG42 |
Hearing Impairment (Summary) – RD 4/2 |
Constructed |
ANYLIM07 |
Any Limitation in P11R3,4,5/P12R1,2,3 |
Constructed |
LSHLTH42 |
Less Healthy than Othr Child (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS01_01 |
NEVILL42 |
Never Been Seriously Ill (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS01_02 |
SICEAS42 |
Child Gets Sick Easily (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS01_03 |
HLTHLF42 |
Child Will Have Healthy Life (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS01_04 |
WRHLTH42 |
Worry More about Health (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS01_05 |
CHPMED42 |
CSHCN: Child Needs Prescrb Med(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS03 |
CHPMHB42 |
CSHCN: Pmed for Hlth/Behv Cond (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS03OV1 |
CHPMCN42 |
CSHCN: Pmed Cond Last 12+ Mos (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS03OV2 |
CHSERV42 |
CSHCN: Chld Needs Med&Oth Serv (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS04 |
CHSRHB42 |
CSHCN: Serv for Hlth/Behv Cond(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS04OV1 |
CHSRCN42 |
CSHCN: Serv Cond Last 12+ Mos (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS04OV2 |
CHLIMI42 |
CSHCN: Limited in Any Way (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS05 |
CHLIHB42 |
CSHCN: Limt for Hlth/Behv Cond(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS05OV1 |
CHLICO42 |
CSHCN: Limit Cond Last 12+ Mos (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS05OV2 |
CHTHER42 |
CSHCN: Chld Needs Spec Therapy (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS06 |
CHTHHB42 |
CSHCN: Spec Ther for Hlth+Cond(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS06OV1 |
CHTHCO42 |
CSHCN: Ther Cond Last 12+ Mos (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS06OV2 |
CHCOUN42 |
CSHCN: Child Needs Counseling (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS07 |
CHEMPB42 |
CSHCN: Couns Prob Last 12+ Mos (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS07OV |
CSHCN42 |
CSHCN:Child w/Spec HC Needs (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS03-CS07OV |
MOMPRO42 |
Problem Getting Along w/Mom (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_01 |
DADPRO42 |
Problem Getting Along w/Dad (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_02 |
UNHAP42 |
Problem Feeling Unhappy/Sad (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_03 |
SCHLBH42 |
Problem Behavior at School (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_04 |
HAVFUN42 |
Problem Having Fun (5-17) – R4/2 |
CS08_05 |
ADUPRO42 |
Prblm Getting Along w/Adults (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_06 |
NERVAF42 |
Prblm Feeling Nervous/Afraid (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_07 |
SIBPRO42 |
Prblm Getting Along w/Sibs (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_08 |
KIDPRO42 |
Prblm Getting Along w/Kids (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_09 |
SPRPRO42 |
Problem w/Sports/Hobbies (5-17)–R4/2 |
CS08_10 |
SCHPRO42 |
Problem With Schoolwork (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_11 |
HOMEBH42 |
Problem w/Behavior at Home (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_12 |
TRBLE42 |
Prblm Stay out Of Trouble (5-17)-R4/2 |
CS08_13 |
CHILCR42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Ill/Inj Need Care (0-17)R4/2 |
CS09A |
CHILWW42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Ill Care Whn Wntd (0-17)R4/2 |
CS10A |
CHRTCR42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Make Rout Care Apt (0-17)R4/2 |
CS11A |
CHRTWW42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Rout Apt Whn Wntd (0-17)R4/2 |
CS12A |
CHAPPT42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: # of Off/Clin Apts (0-17)R4/2 |
CS13 |
CHNDCR42 |
CAHPS:12Mos:Need Any Care/Trt(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS14A |
CHNECP42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Prob Get Nec Care (0-17)R4/2 |
CS14 |
CHLIST42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Chld Dr Lsn to You (0-17)R4/2 |
CS15 |
CHEXPL42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Chld Dr Expl Thng (0-17)R4/2 |
CS16 |
CHRESP42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Chld’s Dr Shw Resp(0-17)R4/2 |
CS17 |
CHPRTM42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Child Dr Engh Time(0-17)R4/2 |
CS18 |
CHHECR42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Rate Chld Hlt Care (0-17)R4/2 |
CS19 |
CHSPEC42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Chld Needed Spec (0-17)R4/2 |
CS20 |
CHPRRE42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Prb w/Rfr to Spec (0-17)R4/2 |
CS21 |
MESHGT42 |
Doctor Ever Measured Height (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS22 |
WHNHGT42 |
When Doctor Measured Height (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS22OV |
MESWGT42 |
Doctor Ever Measured Weight (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS24 |
WHNWGT42 |
When Doctor Measured Weight (0-17)-R4/2 |
CS24OV |
CHBMIX42 |
Child’s Body Mass Index (6-17)-R4/2 |
Constructed |
MESVIS42 |
Doctor Checked Child’s Vision (3-6)-R4/2 |
CS26 |
MESBPR42 |
Dr Checked Blood Pressure (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS27 |
WHNBPR42 |
When Dr Checked Blood Press (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS27OV |
DENTAL42 |
Dr Advise Reg Dental Checkup (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS28 |
WHNDEN42 |
When Dr Advise Dent Checkup (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS28OV |
EATHLT42 |
Dr Advise Eat Healthy (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS29 |
WHNEAT42 |
When Dr Advise Eat Healthy (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS29OV |
PHYSCL42 |
Dr Advise Exercise (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS30 |
WHNPHY42 |
When Dr Advise Exercise (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS30OV |
SAFEST42 |
Dr Advise Chld Safety Seat (Wt<=40)-R4/2 |
CS31 |
WHNSAF42 |
When Dr Advise Safety Seat (Wt<=40)-R4/2 |
CS31OV |
BOOST42 |
Dr Advise Booster Seat (40<Wt<=80)-R4/2 |
CS32 |
WHNBST42 |
Whn Dr Advise Booster Seat (40<Wt=80)-R4/2 |
CS32OV |
LAPBLT42 |
Dr Advise Lap/Shoulder Belt (80<Wt)-R4/2 |
CS33 |
WHNLAP42 |
Whn Dr Advise Lap/Shldr Blt (80<Wt)-R4/2 |
CS33OV |
HELMET42 |
Dr Advise Bike Helmet (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS34 |
WHNHEL42 |
When Dr Advise Bike Helmet (2-17)-R4/2 |
CS34OV |
NOSMOK42 |
Dr Advise Smkg in Home is Bad(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS35 |
WHNSMK42 |
Whn Dr Advis Smkg in Home Bad(0-17)-R4/2 |
CS35OV |
TIMALN42 |
Doctor Spend Any Time Alone (12-17)-R4/2 |
CS36 |
DENTCK53 |
How Often Dental Check-up – RD 5/3 |
AP12 |
BPCHEK53 |
Time Snce Lst Blood Pres Chk (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PC11/AP15 |
BPMONT53 |
# Mos Snce Lst Blood Pres Chk (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PC11OV/AP15OV |
CHOLCK53 |
How Lng Cholest Lst Chck (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP16 |
CHECK53 |
How Lng Lst Routne Checkup (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP17 |
NOFAT53 |
Restrict HGH Fat/Choles Food (>17)–RD 5/3 |
PC13_01/AP17A_01 |
EXRCIS53 |
Advised to Exercise More (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PC13_02/AP17A_02 |
FLUSHT53 |
How Lng Last Flu Vacination (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP18 |
ASPRIN53 |
Tke Aspirn Every (Othr) Day (>17)–RD 5/3 |
PC15/AP18A |
NOASPR53 |
Taking Aspirin Unsafe (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PC16/AP18AA |
STOMCH53 |
Tke Asprn Unsafe B/C Stomch (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PC17/AP18AAA |
LSTETH53 |
Lost All Uppr And Lowr Teeth (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP18B |
PSA53 |
How Long Since Last PSA (>39) – RD 5/3 |
AP19 |
HYSTER53 |
Had a Hysterectomy (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP20A |
PAPSMR53 |
How Lng Lst Pap Smear Tst (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP20 |
BRSTEX53 |
How Lng Snce Lst Breast Exam (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP21 |
MAMOGR53 |
How Lng Snce Lst Mammogram (>29) – RD 5/3 |
AP22 |
STOOL53 |
Bld Stool Tst Kit/Crds Home (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP23 |
WHENST53 |
Whn Lst Bld Stool Tst Hme Kit (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP24 |
BOWEL53 |
Sigmoidoscopy/Colonoscopy (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP25 |
WHNBWL53 |
Lst Sigmoidoscop/Colonoscop (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP26 |
PHYACT53 |
Mod/Vig Phys Activ 3X Wk (>17) – RD 5/3 |
AP28 |
BMINDX53 |
Adult Body Mass Index (> 17) - Rd 5/3 |
Constructed |
SEATBE53 |
Wears Seat Belt (>15) – RD 5/3 |
AP32 |
SAQELIG |
Eligibility Status for SAQ |
Constructed |
ADPRX42 |
SAQ: Relationship of Proxy to Adult |
Constructed |
ADILCR42 |
SAQ 12Mos: Ill/Injury Needing Immed Care |
SAQ Q1 |
ADILWW42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Got Care When Needed Ill/Inj |
SAQ Q2 |
ADRTCR42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Made Appt Routine Med Care |
SAQ Q3 |
ADRTWW42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Got Med Appt When Wanted |
SAQ Q4 |
ADAPPT42 |
SAQ 12 Mos:# Visits to Med Off for Care |
SAQ Q5 |
ADNDCR42 |
SAQ 12Mos: Need Any Care, Test, Treatmnt |
SAQ Q6 |
ADNECP42 |
SAQ 12Mos: Probs Getting Needed Med Care |
SAQ Q7 |
ADLIST42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Doctor Listened to You |
SAQ Q8 |
ADEXPL42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Doc Explained So Understood |
SAQ Q9 |
ADRESP42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Dr Showed Respect |
SAQ Q10 |
ADPRTM42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Dr Spent Enuf Time with You |
SAQ Q11 |
ADHECR42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Rating of Health care |
SAQ Q12 |
ADSMOK42 |
SAQ: Currently Smoke |
SAQ Q13 |
ADNSMK42 |
SAQ 12Mos: Dr Advised to Quit Smoking |
SAQ Q14 |
ADDRBP42 |
SAQ 2 Yrs: Dr Checked Blood Pressure |
SAQ Q15 |
ADSPEC42 |
SAQ 12 Mos: Needed to See Specialist |
SAQ Q16 |
ADPRRE42 |
SAQ 12Mos: Problem Seeing Specialist |
SAQ Q17 |
ADGENH42 |
SAQ: Health in General SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q18 |
ADDAYA42 |
SAQ: Hlth Limits Mod Activities SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q19 |
ADCLIM42 |
SAQ: Hlth Limits Climbing Stairs SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q20 |
ADPALS42 |
SAQ 4Wks:Accmp Less B/C Phy Prbs SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q21 |
ADPWLM42 |
SAQ 4Wks:Work Limt B/C Phy Probs SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q22 |
ADMALS42 |
SAQ 4Wks:Accmp Less B/C Mnt Prbs SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q23 |
ADMWLM42 |
SAQ 4Wks:Work Limt B/C Mnt Probs SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q24 |
ADPAIN42 |
SAQ 4Wks:Pain Limits Normal Work SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q25 |
ADCAPE42 |
SAQ 4Wks: Felt Calm/Peaceful SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q26 |
ADNRGY42 |
SAQ 4Wks: Had a Lot of Energy SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q27 |
ADDOWN42 |
SAQ 4Wks: Felt Downhearted/Depr SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q28 |
ADSOCA42 |
SAQ 4Wks: Hlth Stopped Soc Activ SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q29 |
PCS42 |
SAQ:Phy Component Summry SF-12V2 Imputed |
SAQ Q18 – Q29 |
MCS42 |
SAQ:Mnt Component Summry SF-12V2 Imputed |
SAQ Q18 – Q29 |
SFFLAG42 |
SAQ: PCS/MCS Imputation Flag SF-12V2 |
SAQ Q18 – Q29 |
ADNERV42 |
SAQ 30 Days: How Often Felt Nervous |
SAQ Q30 |
ADHOPE42 |
SAQ 30 Days: How Often Felt Hopeless |
SAQ Q31 |
ADREST42 |
SAQ 30 Days: How Often Felt Restless |
SAQ Q32 |
ADSAD42 |
SAQ 30 Days: How Often Felt Sad |
SAQ Q33 |
ADEFRT42 |
SAQ 30 Days: How Oftn Everythng an Effort |
SAQ Q34 |
ADWRTH42 |
SAQ 30 Days: How Often Felt Worthless |
SAQ Q35 |
K6SUM42 |
SAQ 30 Days: Overall Rating of Feelings |
SAQ Q30 – Q35 |
ADINTR42 |
SAQ 2 Wks: Little Interest in Things |
SAQ Q36 |
ADDPRS42 |
SAQ 2 Wks: Felt Down/Depressed/Hopeless |
SAQ Q37 |
PHQ242 |
SAQ 2 Wks: Overall Rating of Feelings |
SAQ Q36 – Q37 |
ADINSA42 |
SAQ: Do Not Need Health Insurance |
SAQ Q36 |
ADINSB42 |
SAQ: Health Insurance Not Worth Cost |
SAQ Q37 |
ADRISK42 |
SAQ: More Likely to Take Risks |
SAQ Q38 |
ADOVER42 |
SAQ: Can Overcome Ills Without Med Help |
SAQ Q39 |
ADCMPM42 |
SAQ: Date Completed - Month |
Constructed |
ADCMPD42 |
SAQ: Date Completed - Day |
Constructed |
ADCMPY42 |
SAQ: Date Completed – Year |
Constructed |
ADLANG42 |
SAQ: Language of SAQ Interview |
Constructed |
DSDIA53 |
DCS: Diabetes Diagnosis By Health Prof |
DCS Q1 |
DSA1C53 |
DCS: Times Tested for A1c – 2007 |
DCS Q2 |
DSCKFT53 |
DCS: Times Feet Checked for Sores – 2007 |
DCS Q3 |
DSEY0853 |
DCS: Dilated Eye Exam in 2008 |
DCS Q4 |
DSEY0753 |
DCS: Dilated Eye Exam in 2007 |
DCS Q4 |
DSEY0653 |
DCS: Dilated Eye Exam in 2006 |
DCS Q4 |
DSEB0653 |
DCS: Dilated Eye Exam Before 2006 |
DCS Q4 |
DSEYNV53 |
DCS: Never Had Dilated Eye Exam |
DCS Q4 |
DSKIDN53 |
DCS: Has Diabetes Caused Kidney Problems |
DCS Q5 |
DSEYPR53 |
DCS: Has Diabetes Caused Eye Probs |
DCS Q6 |
DSDIET53 |
DCS: Treat Diabetes w/Diet Modification |
DCS Q7 |
DSMED53 |
DCS: Treat Diabetes w/Meds by Mouth |
DCS Q8 |
DSINSU53 |
DCS: Treat Diabetes w/Insulin Injections |
DCS Q9 |
PHONE53 |
DCS: Learned Diab Care from Phone Call |
DCS Q10A |
NURSE53 |
DCS: Learned Diab Care from Nurse |
DCS Q10B |
VISIT53 |
DCS: Learned Diab Care from Home Visit |
DCS Q10C |
REFER53 |
DCS: Learned Diab Care from Specialist |
DCS Q10D |
CHLCHK53 |
DCS: How Long Since Cholesterol Check |
DCS Q11 |
FLSHOT53 |
DCS: How Long Since Last Flu Vaccination |
DCS Q12 |
DSPRX53 |
DCS: Was Respondent a Proxy |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
DISABILITY DAYS VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
DDNWRK31 |
# Days Missed Work Due to Ill/Inj (RD31) |
DD02 DD02A |
DDNWRK42 |
# Days Missed Work Due to Ill/Inj (RD42) |
DD02 |
DDNWRK53 |
# Days Missed Work Due to Ill/Inj (RD53) |
DD02 DD02A |
WKINBD31 |
# Days Missed Work Stayed in Bed (RD31) |
DD04 DD04A |
WKINBD42 |
# Days Missed Work Stayed in Bed (RD42) |
DD04 |
WKINBD53 |
# Days Missed Work Stayed in Bed (RD53) |
DD04 DD04A |
DDNSCL31 |
# Days Missd School Due to Ill/Inj(RD31) |
DD05 DD05A |
DDNSCL42 |
# Days Missd School Due to Ill/Inj(RD42) |
DD05 |
DDNSCL53 |
# Days Missd School Due to Ill/Inj(RD53) |
DD05 DD05A |
SCLNBD31 |
# Days Missed School Stayd in Bed (RD31) |
DD07 DD07A |
SCLNBD42 |
# Days Missed School Stayd in Bed (RD42) |
DD07 |
SCLNBD53 |
# Days Missed School Stayd in Bed (RD53) |
DD07 DD07A |
DDBDYS31 |
# Oth Day Person Spent in Bed Since Start(RD31) |
DD08 DD08A |
DDBDYS42 |
# Oth Day Person Spent in Bed Since Start(RD42) |
DD08 |
DDBDYS53 |
# Oth Day Person Spent in Bed Since Start(RD53) |
DD08 DD08A |
OTHDYS31 |
Miss Any Work Day to Care for Oth (RD31) |
DD10 |
OTHDYS42 |
Miss Any Work Day to Care for Oth (RD42) |
DD10 |
OTHDYS53 |
Miss Any Work Day to Care for Oth (RD53) |
DD10 |
OTHNDD31 |
# Day Missed Work to Care for Oth (RD31) |
DD11 DD11A |
OTHNDD42 |
# Day Missed Work to Care for Oth (RD42) |
DD11 |
OTHNDD53 |
# Day Missed Work to Care for Oth (RD53) |
DD11 DD11A |
Return To Table Of Contents
ACCESS TO CARE VARIABLES
VARIABLE
| DESCRIPTION
| SOURCE
|
ACCELI42
| Pers Eligible for Access Supplement-R4/2
| Constructed
|
LANGHM42
| AC01 Language Spoken Most in Home
| AC01
|
ENGHME42
| AC02 HH Comfortable Speakng English-R4/2
| AC02
|
ENGSPK42
| AC02A Not Comfrtble Speakng English-R4/2
| AC02A
|
USBORN42
| AC03 Was Person Born in US-R4/2
| AC03
|
USLIVE42
| AC04 # Yrs Person Lived in US-R4/2
| AC04
|
HAVEUS42
| AC05 Does Person Have USC Provider-R4/2
| AC05
|
YNOUSC42
| AC07 Main Reas Pers Doesnt Have USC-R4/2
| AC07
|
NOREAS42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:No Oth Reasons-R4/2
| AC08
|
SELDSI42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:Seldm/Nev Sick-R4/2
| AC08
|
NEWARE42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:Recently Moved-R4/2
| AC08
|
DKWHRU42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:Dk Where to Go-R4/2
| AC08
|
USCNOT42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: USC Not Avail-R4/2
| AC08
|
PERSLA42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Language - R4/2
| AC08
|
DIFFPL42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:Diffrnt Places-R4/2
| AC08
|
INSRPL42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:Just Chngd Ins-R4/2
| AC08
|
MYSELF42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:No Doc/Trt Slf-R4/2
| AC08
|
CARECO42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC:Cost Of Med Cr-R4/2
| AC08
|
OTHINS42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Ins Related-R4/2
| AC08
|
JOBRSN42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Job Related-R4/2
| AC08
|
NEWDOC42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Lookng for Dr-R4/2
| AC08
|
DOCELS42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Dr Elsewhere-R4/2
| AC08
|
NOLIKE42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Dont Like Drs-R4/2
| AC08
|
HEALTH42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Hlth Related-R4/2
| AC08
|
KNOWDR42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Knows/Is a Dr-R4/2
| AC08
|
ONJOB42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Dr at Work-R4/2
| AC08
|
NOGODR42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Wont Go to Dr-R4/2
| AC08
|
TRANS42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Transprt/Time R4/2
| AC08
|
CLINIC42
| AC08: Oth Reas No USC: Hosp/ER/Clnic-R4/2
| AC08
|
OTHREA42
| AC08 Oth Reas No USC: Other Reason–R4/2
| AC08
|
PROVTY42
| Provider Type – R4/2
| PV01, PV03, PV05, PV10
|
FACLPR42
| AC10 Does Pers See Particular Prov -R4/2
| AC10
|
PLCTYP42
| USC Type of Place – R4/2
| AC11
|
GOTOUS42
| AC12 How Does Pers Get to USC Prov–R4/2
| AC12
|
TMTKUS42
| AC13 How Long It Takes Get to USC-R4/2
| AC13
|
DFTOUS42
| AC14 How Difficult Is It Get to USC–R4/2
| AC14
|
TYPEPE42
| USC Type of Provider – R4/2
| AC15, AC16, AC16OV, AC17, AC17OV
|
LOCATN42
| USC Location – R4/2
| Constructed
|
HSPLAP42
| AC18 Is Provider Hispanic or Latino–R4/2
| AC18
|
WHITPR42
| AC19 Is Provider White – R4/2
| AC19
|
BLCKPR42
| AC19 Is Provider Black/African Amer-R4/2
| AC19
|
ASIANP42
| AC19 Is Provider Asian – R4/2
| AC19
|
NATAMP42
| AC19 Is Provider Native American – R4/2
| AC19
|
PACISP42
| AC19 Is Provider Oth Pacific Islndr-R4/2
| AC19
|
OTHRCP42
| AC19 Is Provider Some Other Race – R4/2
| AC19
|
GENDRP42
| AC20 Is Provider Male or Female – R4/2
| AC20
|
MINORP42
| AC22 Go To USC For New Health Prob-R4/2
| AC22
|
PREVEN42
| AC22 Go To USC For Prvntve Hlt Care-R4/2
| AC22
|
REFFRL42
| AC22 Go To USC For Referrals – R4/2
| AC22
|
ONGONG42
| AC22 Go To USC For Ongoing Hlth Prb-R4/2
| AC22
|
PHNREG42
| AC23 How Diff Contact USC By Phone-R4/2
| AC23
|
OFFHOU42
| AC24 USC Has Offce Hrs Nghts/Wkends-R4/2
| AC24
|
AFTHOU42
| AC25 How Diff Contact USC Aft Hours-R4/2
| AC25
|
TREATM42
| AC26 Prov Ask About Oth Treatments-R4/2
| AC26
|
RESPCT42
| AC27 Prov Shows Respect For Trtmnts-R4/2
| AC27
|
DECIDE42
| AC28 Prov Asks Pers to Help Decide-R4/2
| AC28
|
EXPLOP42
| AC30 Prov Explns Options to Pers – R4/2
| AC30
|
LANGPR42
| AC31 Prov Speaks Person’s Language–R4/2
| AC31
|
MDUNAB42
| Unable To Get Necessry Medical Care–R4/2
| AC32A, AC32, AC33
|
MDUNRS42
| AC34 Rsn Unable Get Necsry Med Care-R4/2
| AC34
|
MDUNPR42
| AC35 Prb Not Getting Ncsry Med Care-R4/2
| AC35
|
MDDLAY42
| Delayed In Getting Necsry Med Care-R4/2
| AC36, AC37
|
MDDLRS42
| AC38 Rsn Dlayd Getting Nec Med Care-R4/2
| AC38
|
MDDLPR42
| AC39 Prb Dlayd Getting Nec Med Care-R4/2
| AC39
|
DNUNAB42
| Unable To Get Necessary Dental Care-R4/2
| AC40A, AC40, AC41
|
DNUNRS42
| AC42 Rsn Unable Get Ncsry Dent Care-R4/2
| AC42
|
DNUNPR42
| AC43 Prb Unable Get Ncsry Dent Care-R4/2
| AC43
|
DNDLAY42
| Delayed In Getting Nec Dental Care-R4/2
| AC44, AC45
|
DNDLRS42
| AC46 Rsn Dlayd Gettng Nec Dent Care-R4/2
| AC46
|
DNDLPR42
| AC47 Prb Dlayd Gettng Nec Dent Care-R4/2
| AC47
|
PMUNAB42
| Unable to Get Necessary Pres Med – R4/2
| AC48A, AC48, AC49
|
PMUNRS42
| AC50 Rsn Unable to Get Nec Pres Med-R4/2
| AC50
|
PMUNPR42
| AC51 Prb Unable to Get Nec Pres Med-R4/2
| AC51
|
PMDLAY42
| Delayed In Getting Necsry Pres Med-R4/2
| AC52, AC53
|
PMDLRS42
| AC54 Rsn Dlayd Getting Nec Pres Med-R4/2
| AC54
|
PMDLPR42
| AC55 Prb Dlayd Getting Nec Pres Med-R4/2
| AC55
|
Return To Table Of Contents
EMPLOYMENT VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
EMPST31 |
Employment Status RD 3/1 |
EM 1-3; RJ 1, 6 |
EMPST42 |
Employment Status RD 4/2 |
EM 1-3; RJ 1, 6 |
EMPST53 |
Employment Status RD 5/3 |
EM 1-3; RJ 1, 6 |
RNDFLG31 |
Data Collection Round for RD 3/1 CMJ |
Constructed |
MORJOB31 |
Has More than One Job RD 3/1 Int Date |
EM 1-4, 51; RJ 1, 6; Constructed |
MORJOB42 |
Has More than One Job RD 4/2 Int Date |
EM 1-4, 51; RJ 1, 6; Constructed |
MORJOB53 |
Has More than One Job RD 5/3 Int Date |
EM 1-4, 51; RJ 1, 6; Constructed |
EVRWRK |
Ever Wrkd for Pay in Life as of 12/31/07 |
EM 1-4, 51; RJ 1, 6; Constructed |
HRWG31X |
Hourly Wage RD 3/1 CMJ (Imp) |
EW 5, 7, 11-13, 17-18, 24; EM 104, 111 |
HRWG42X |
Hourly Wage RD 4/2 CMJ (Imp) |
EW 5, 7, 11-13, 17-18, 24; EM 104, 111 |
HRWG53X |
Hourly Wage RD 5/3 CMJ (Imp) |
EW 5, 7, 11-13, 17-18, 24; EM 104, 111 |
HRWGIM31 |
HRWG31X Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
HRWGIM42 |
HRWG42X Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
HRWGIM53 |
HRWG53X Imputation Flag |
Constructed |
HRHOW31 |
How Hourly Wage Was Calculated RD 3/1 |
EM 2-3, 51, 104, 111; EW 2-24 |
HRHOW42 |
How Hourly Wage Was Calculated RD 4/2 |
EM 2-3, 51, 104, 111; EW 2-24 |
HRHOW53 |
How Hourly Wage Was Calculated RD 5/3 |
EM 2-3, 51, 104, 111; EW 2-24 |
DIFFWG31 |
Persons Wages Different this RD31 at CMJ |
RJ02 |
DIFFWG42 |
Persons Wages Different this RD42 at CMJ |
RJ02 |
DIFFWG53 |
Persons Wages Different this RD53 at CMJ |
RJ02 |
NHRWG31 |
Updated Hrly Wage RD 3/1 CMJ (Edited) |
Constructed |
NHRWG42 |
Updated Hrly Wage RD 4/2 CMJ (Edited) |
Constructed |
NHRWG53 |
Updated Hrly Wage RD 5/3 CMJ (Edited) |
Constructed |
HOUR31 |
Hours Per Week at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 104-105, 111; EW 17 |
HOUR42 |
Hours Per Week at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 104-105, 111; EW 17 |
HOUR53 |
Hours Per Week at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 104-105, 111; EW 17 |
TEMPJB31 |
Is CMJ a Temporary Job RD 3/1 |
EM 105C, 111C; RJ 01AA, 06A |
TEMPJB42 |
Is CMJ a Temporary Job RD 4/2 |
EM 105C, 111C; RJ 01AA, 06A |
TEMPJB53 |
Is CMJ a Temporary Job RD 5/3 |
EM 105C, 111C; RJ 01AA, 06A |
SSNLJB31 |
Is CMJ a Seasonal Job RD 3/1 |
EM 105D, 111D; RJ 01AAA, 06AA |
SSNLJB42 |
Is CMJ a Seasonal Job RD 4/2 |
EM 105D, 111D; RJ 01AAA, 06AA |
SSNLJB53 |
Is CMJ a Seasonal Job RD 5/3 |
EM 105D, 111D; RJ 01AAA, 06AA |
SELFCM31 |
Self-Employed at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51; RJ 01 |
SELFCM42 |
Self-Employed at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51; RJ 01 |
SELFCM53 |
Self-Employed at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51; RJ 01 |
DISVW31X |
Disavowed Health Ins at RD 3/1 CMJ (Ed) |
EM113, 117; RJ07, 08, 08A; HX and OE Sections |
DISVW42X |
Disavowed Health Ins at RD 4/2 CMJ (Ed) |
EM113, 117; RJ07, 08, 08A; HX and OE Sections |
DISVW53X |
Disavowed Health Ins at RD 5/3 CMJ (Ed) |
EM113, 117; RJ07, 08, 08A; HX and OE Sections |
CHOIC31 |
Choice of Health Plans at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96, 113-115, 124; RJ08 |
CHOIC42 |
Choice of Health Plans at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96, 113-115, 124; RJ08 |
CHOIC53 |
Choice of Health Plans at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96, 113-115, 124; RJ08 |
INDCAT31 |
Industry Group RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 97-100; RJ01; Constructed |
INDCAT42 |
Industry Group RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 97-100; RJ01; Constructed |
INDCAT53 |
Industry Group RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 97-100; RJ01; Constructed |
NUMEMP31 |
Number of Employees at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 91-92, 124; RJ01 |
NUMEMP42 |
Number of Employees at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 91-92, 124; RJ01 |
NUMEMP53 |
Number of Employees at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 91-92, 124; RJ01 |
MORE31 |
RD 3/1 CMJ Firm Has More than 1 Locat |
EM 1-3, 51, 94; RJ01 |
MORE42 |
RD 4/2 CMJ Firm Has More than 1 Locat |
EM 1-3, 51, 94; RJ01 |
MORE53 |
RD 5/3 CMJ Firm Has More than 1 Locat |
EM 1-3, 51, 94; RJ01 |
UNION31 |
Union Status at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96, 116; RJ01 |
UNION42 |
Union Status at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96, 116; RJ01 |
UNION53 |
Union Status at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96, 116; RJ01 |
NWK31 |
Reason Not Working During RD 3/1 |
EM 1-3, 101-102, 126-127, 132-133, 138-139, 141, 141OV; RJ10 |
NWK42 |
Reason Not Working During RD 4/2 |
EM 1-3, 101-102, 126-127, 132-133, 138-139, 141, 141OV; RJ10 |
NWK53 |
Reason Not Working During RD 5/3 |
EM 1-3, 101-102, 126-127, 132-133, 138-139, 141, 141OV; RJ10 |
CHGJ3142 |
Changed Job between RD 3/1 and RD 4/2 |
RJ01, 01A |
CHGJ4253 |
Changed Job between RD 4/2 and RD 5/3 |
RJ01, 01A |
YCHJ3142 |
Why Chngd Job between RD 3/1 and RD 4/2 |
RJ10, 10OV |
YCHJ4253 |
Why Chngd Job between RD 4/2 and RD 5/3 |
RJ10, 10OV |
STJBMM31 |
Month Started RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 02A |
STJBDD31 |
Day Started RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBYY31 |
Year Started RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBMM42 |
Month Started RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBDD42 |
Day Started RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBYY42 |
Year Started RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBMM53 |
Month Started RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBDD53 |
Day Started RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
STJBYY53 |
Year Started RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM10, 10OV, 10OV2; RJ01, 01A |
EVRETIRE |
Person Has Ever Retired |
EM 1-3, 101-102, 126-127, 132-133,
138-139, 141, 141OV; RJ 02, 10 |
OCCCAT31 |
Occupation Group RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM99-100; RJ 01, 01A; Constructed |
OCCCAT42 |
Occupation Group RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM99-100; RJ 01, 01A; Constructed |
OCCCAT53 |
Occupation Group RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM99-100; RJ 01, 01A; Constructed |
PAYVAC31 |
Paid Vacation at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 109; RJ 01, 02 |
PAYVAC42 |
Paid Vacation at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 109; RJ 01, 02 |
PAYVAC53 |
Paid Vacation at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 109; RJ 01, 02 |
SICPAY31 |
Paid Sick Leave at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 107; RJ 01, 02 |
SICPAY42 |
Paid Sick Leave at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 107; RJ 01, 02 |
SICPAY53 |
Paid Sick Leave at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 107; RJ 01, 02 |
PAYDR31 |
Paid Leave to Visit Dr RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 107-108; RJ 01, 02 |
PAYDR42 |
Paid Leave to Visit Dr RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 107-108; RJ 01, 02 |
PAYDR53 |
Paid Leave to Visit Dr RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 107-108; RJ 01, 02 |
RETPLN31 |
Pension Plan at RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 110; RJ 01, 02 |
RETPLN42 |
Pension Plan at RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 110; RJ 01, 02 |
RETPLN53 |
Pension Plan at RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 110; RJ 01, 02 |
BSNTY31 |
Sole Prop, Partner, Corp, RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 94-95; RJ 01, 02 |
BSNTY42 |
Sole Prop, Partner, Corp, RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 94-95; RJ 01, 02 |
BSNTY53 |
Sole Prop, Partner, Corp, RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 94-95; RJ 01, 02 |
JOBORG31 |
Priv (Profit,Nonprofit) Gov RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96; RJ 01, 02 |
JOBORG42 |
Priv (Profit,Nonprofit) Gov RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96; RJ 01, 02 |
JOBORG53 |
Priv (Profit,Nonprofit) Gov RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM 1-3, 51, 96; RJ 01, 02 |
HELD31X |
Health Insur Held from RD 3/1 CMJ (Ed) |
EM117; HX, HP and OE Sections |
HELD42X |
Health Insur Held from RD 4/2 CMJ (Ed) |
EM117; HX, HP and OE Sections |
HELD53X |
Health Insur Held from RD 5/3 CMJ (Ed) |
EM117; HX, HP and OE Sections |
OFFER31X |
Health Insur Offered by RD 3/1 CMJ (Ed) |
EM113, 114, 117; RJ and HX Sections |
OFFER42X |
Health Insur Offered by RD 4/2 CMJ (Ed) |
EM113, 114, 117; RJ and HX Sections |
OFFER53X |
Health Insur Offered by RD 5/3 CMJ (Ed) |
EM113, 114, 117; RJ and HX Sections |
OFREMP31 |
Employer Offers Health Ins RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM115A, RJ08AAA |
OFREMP42 |
Employer Offers Health Ins RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM115A, RJ08AAA |
OFREMP53 |
Employer Offers Health Ins RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM115A, RJ08AAA |
YNOINS31 |
Why Not Eligible Health Ins RD 3/1 CMJ |
EM115B, RJ08AAAA |
YNOINS42 |
Why Not Eligible Health Ins RD 4/2 CMJ |
EM115B, RJ08AAAA |
YNOINS53 |
Why Not Eligible Health Ins RD 5/3 CMJ |
EM115B, RJ08AAAA |
Return To Table Of Contents
HEALTH INSURANCE VARIABLES
MONTHLY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE INDICATORS
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
TRImm07X |
Covered by TRICARE/CHAMPVA in mm 07 (Ed),
where mm = JA-DE |
HX12, 13, PR19-22, HQ Section |
MCRmm07 |
Covered by Medicare in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX05-07, 27, 29, 29OV |
MCRmm07X |
Covered by Medicare in mm 07 (Ed),
where mm = JA-DE |
HX05-07, 27, 29, 29OV, see documentation,
section 2.5.8.1, for additional edit specifications |
MCDmm07 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX10-11, PR07-10 and HQ Section |
MCDmm07X |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP in mm 07 (Ed),
where mm = JA-DE |
MCDmm07, HX14-16, 18-19, 41-43, 45,
PR11-14, 23-32, 39-42 |
OPAmm07 |
Cov by Other Public A Ins in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX14-15, 41-45, PR 23-32 and HQ Section |
OPBmm07 |
Cov by Other Public B Ins in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX14-15, 41-43, PR23-30 and HQ Section |
STAmm07 |
Covered by Other State Prog in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX16-19, PR35-38 and HQ Section |
PUBmm07X |
Covr by Any Public Ins in mm 07 (Ed),
where mm = JA-DE |
TRImm07X, MCRmm07X, MCDmm07X,
OPAmm07, OPBmm07 |
PEGmm07 |
Covered by Empl Union Ins in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, RJ Sections |
PDKmm07 |
Covr by Priv Ins (Source Unknwn) mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
PNGmm07 |
Covered by Nongroup Ins in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
POGmm07 |
Covered by Other Group Ins in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
PRSmm07 |
Covered by Self-Emp-1 Ins in mm 07,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX3, 4, 48, HQ, OE, RJ and EM sections |
POUmm07 |
Covered by Holder Outside of RU in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
PRImm07 |
Covered by Private Ins in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
POGmm07, PDKmm07, PEGmm07, PRSmm07,
POUmm07, PNGmm07 |
HPEmm07 |
Holder of Empl Union Ins in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
PEGmm07, HP9, 11 |
HPDmm07 |
Holder of Priv Ins (Source Unknwn) mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
PDKmm07; HP11 |
HPNmm07 |
Holder of Nongroup Ins in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
PNGmm07; HP11 |
HPOmm07 |
Holder of Other Group Ins in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
POGmm07; HP11 |
HPSmm07 |
Holder of Self-Emp-1 Ins in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
PRSmm07; HP9 |
HPRmm07 |
Holder of Private Insurance in mm 07, where mm = JA-DE |
HPEmm07, HPSmm07, HPOmm07, HPNmm07,
HPDmm07 |
INSmm07X |
Covr by Hosp/Med Ins in mm 07 (Ed), where mm = JA-DE |
PUBmm07X, PRImm07 |
Return To Table Of Contents
SUMMARY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE INDICATORS
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
PRVEV07 |
Ever Have Private Insurance during 07 |
Constructed |
TRIEV07 |
Ever Have TRICARE/CHAMPVA during 07 |
Constructed |
MCREV07 |
Ever Have Medicare during 07 (ED) |
Constructed |
MCDEV07 |
Ever Have Medicaid/SCHIP during 07 (ED) |
Constructed |
OPAEV07 |
Ever Have Other Public A Ins during 07 |
Constructed |
OPBEV07 |
Ever Have Other Public B Ins during 07 |
Constructed |
UNINS07 |
Uninsured All of 07 |
Constructed |
INSCOV07 |
Health Insurance Coverage Indicator 07 |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
MANAGED CARE VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
TRIST31X |
Covered by TRICARE Standard – R3/1 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIST42X |
Covered by TRICARE Standard – R4/2 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIST07X |
Covered by TRICARE Standard – 12/31/07 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIPR31X |
Covered by TRICARE Prime – R3/1 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIPR42X |
Covered by TRICARE Prime – R4/2 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIPR07X |
Covered by TRICARE Prime – 12/31/07 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIEX31X |
Covered by TRICARE Extra – R3/1 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIEX42X |
Covered by TRICARE Extra – R4/2 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRIEX07X |
Covered by TRICARE Extra – 12/31/07 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRILI31X |
Covered by TRICARE for Life – R3/1 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRILI42X |
Covered by TRICARE for Life – R4/2 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRILI07X |
Covered by TRICARE for Life – 12/31/07 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRICH31X |
Covered by TRICARE CHAMPVA – R3/1 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRICH42X |
Covered by TRICARE CHAMPVA – R4/2 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
TRICH07X |
Covered by TRICARE CHAMPVA – 12/31/07 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
MCRPD31 |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – R3/1 |
HX05-07, HX30A, PR01A, HQ Section |
MCRPD42 |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – R4/2 |
HX05-07, HX30A, PR01A, HQ Section |
MCRPD07 |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – 12/31/07 |
HX05-07, HX30A, PR01A, HQ Section |
MCRPD31X |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – R3/1 (ED) |
MCARE31X, MCAID31X, MCRPD31 |
MCRPD42X |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – R4/2 (ED) |
MCARE42X, MCAID42X, MCRPD42 |
MCRPD07X |
Cov By Mcare Pmed Benefit–12/31/07 (ED) |
MCARE07X, MCAID07X, MCRPD07 |
MCRPHO31 |
Covered By Medicare Managed Care – R3/1 |
HX05-07, HX31-32, PR02-PR04, HQ Section |
MCRPHO42 |
Covered By Medicare Managed Care – R4/2 |
HX05-07, HX31-32, PR02-PR04, HQ Section |
MCRPHO07 |
Covered By Medicare Managed Care – 12/31/07 |
HX05-07, HX31-32, PR02-PR04, HQ Section |
MCDHMO31 |
Covered By Medicaid or SCHIP HMO – R3/1 |
HX10-11, HX14-16, HX18-19, HX41-43, HX45,
PR07-10, PR11-14, PR23-32, PR39-42 and HQ Section |
MCDHMO42 |
Covered By Medicaid or SCHIP HMO – R4/2 |
HX10-11, HX14-16, HX18-19, HX41-43, HX45,
PR07-10, PR11-14, PR23-32, PR39-42 and HQ Section |
MCDHMO07 |
Covred By Medicaid or SCHIP HMO – 12/31/07 |
HX10-11, HX14-16, HX18-19, HX41-43, HX45,
PR07-10, PR11-14, PR23-32, PR39-42 and HQ Section |
MCDMC31 |
Cov By Mcaid/SCHIP Gatekeeper Plan-R3/1 |
MCDHMO31, HX10-11, HX14-16, HX18-19, HX41-43,
HX45, PR07-10, PR11-14, PR23-32, PR39-42 and HQ Section |
MCDMC42 |
Cov By Mcaid/SCHIP Gatekeeper Plan-R4/2 |
MCDHMO42, HX10-11, HX14-16, HX18-19, HX41-43,
HX45, PR07-10, PR11-14, PR23-32, PR39-42 and HQ Section |
MCDMC07 |
Cov By Mcaid/SCHIP Gtkeepr Plan-12/31/07 |
MCDHMO03, HX10-11, HX14-16, HX18-19, HX41-43,
HX45, PR07-10, PR11-14, PR23-32, PR39-42 and HQ Section |
PRVHMO31 |
Covered by Private HMO – R3/1 |
MC01, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVHMO42 |
Covered by Private HMO – R4/2 |
MC01, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVHMO07 |
Covered by Private HMO –12/31/07 |
MC01, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVMNC31 |
Covered by Private Gatekeeper Plan-R3/1 |
MC01-02, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVMNC42 |
Covered by Private Gatekeeper Plan-R4/2 |
MC01-02, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVMNC07 |
Covered by Priv Gatekeeper Plan-12/31/07 |
MC01-02, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVDRL31 |
Cov by Priv Plan w/Doctor List – R3/1 |
MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVDRL42 |
Cov by Priv Plan w/Doctor List – R4/2 |
MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRVDRL07 |
Cov by Priv Plan w/Doctor List-12/31/07 |
MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PHMONP31 |
Cov by HMO-Pays Non-Plan Dr Visits-R3/1 |
PRVHMO31, HX60A, MC05, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48;
HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PHMONP42 |
Cov by HMO-Pays Non-Plan Dr Visits-R4/2 |
PRVHMO42, HX60A, MC05, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48;
HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PHMONP07 |
Cov by HMO-Pays Non-Plan Drs-12/31/07 |
PRVHMO07, HX60A, MC05, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48;
HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PMNCNP31 |
Cov by Gatekpr-Pays Non-Plan Drs-R3/1 |
PRVMNC31, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE,
HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PMNCNP42 |
Cov by Gatekpr-Pays Non-Plan Drs-R4/2 |
PRVMNC42, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE,
HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PMNCNP07 |
Cov by Gatekp-Pays Non-Plan Drs-12/31/07 |
PRVMNC07, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE,
HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRDRNP31 |
Cov by Dr List-Pays Non-Plan Drs-R3/1 |
PRVDRL31, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE,
HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRDRNP42 |
Cov by Dr List-Pays Non-Plan Drs-R4/2 |
PRVDRL42, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE,
HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
PRDRNP07 |
Cov by Dr List-Pays Non-Plan Dr-12/31/07 |
PRVDRL07, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE,
HQ, EM, and RJ Sections |
Return To Table Of Contents
DURATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
PREVCOVR |
Per Cov by Ins in Prev 2 Yrs–Panl 12 Only |
HX64 |
COVRMM |
Month Most Recently Covered–Panel 12 Only |
HX65 |
COVRYY |
Year Most Recently Covered–Panel 12 Only |
HX65 |
WASESTB |
Was Prev Ins by Empl or Union–Pnl 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASMCARE |
Was Prev Ins by Medicare–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASMCAID |
Was Prev Ins by Mcaid/SCHIP–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASCHAMP |
Was Prev Ins TRICARE/Champva–Panl 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASVA |
Was Prev Ins VA/Militar Care–Panl 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASPRIV |
Was Prev Ins Grp/Assoc/Ins Co–Pnl 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASOTGOV |
Was Prev Ins by Oth Gov Prg–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASAFDC |
Was Prev Ins by Public AFDC–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASSSI |
Was Prev Ins by SSI Program–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASSTAT1 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 1–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASSTAT2 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 2–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASSTAT3 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 3–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASSTAT4 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 4–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
WASOTHER |
Was Prev Ins by Oth Source–Panel 12 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
NOINSBEF |
Evr Wout Hlth Insr Prev Yr–Panel 12 Only |
HX70 |
NOINSTM |
# Wks/Mon Wout Hlth Ins Prv Yr–Pnl 12 Onl |
HX71 |
NOINUNIT |
Unit Of Time Wout Hlth Ins–Panel 12 Only |
HX71OV |
MORECOVR |
Cov by Mor Compr Pl Prev 2 Yr–Pnl 12 Only |
HX76 |
INSENDMM |
Month Most Recently Covd–Panel 12 Only |
HX77 |
INSENDYY |
Year Most Recently Covd–Panel 12 Only |
HX77 |
Return To Table Of Contents
OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
TRICR31X |
Cov by TRICR/CHAMV - R3/1 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
TRICR42X |
Cov by TRICR/CHAMV - R4/2 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
TRICR53X |
Cov by TRICR/CHAMV 12-31/R3 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
TRICR07X |
Cov by TRICR/CHAMV - 12/31/07 (Ed) |
Constructed |
TRIAT31X |
Any Time Cov TRICARE/CHAMPVA - R3/1 |
Constructed |
TRIAT42X |
Any Time Cov TRICARE/CHAMPVA - R4/2 |
Constructed |
TRIAT53X |
Any Time Cov TRICARE/CHAMPVA - R5/3 |
Constructed |
TRIAT07X |
Any Time Cov TRICARE/CHAMPVA - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
MCAID31 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
MCAID42 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
MCAID53 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
MCAID07 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
MCAID31X |
Cov by Medicaid/SCHIP - R3/1 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCAID42X |
Cov by Medicaid/SCHIP - R4/2 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCAID53X |
Cov Medicaid/SCHIP 12-31/R3 Int Dt(Ed) |
Constructed |
MCAID07X |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - 12/31/07 (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCARE31 |
Cov by Medicare - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
MCARE42 |
Cov by Medicare - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
MCARE53 |
Cov by Medicare 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
MCARE07 |
Cov by Medicare - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
MCARE31X |
Cov by Medicare - R3/1 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCARE42X |
Cov by Medicare - R4/2 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCARE53X |
Cov by Medicare 12-31/R3 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCARE07X |
Cov by Medicare - 12/31/07 (Ed) |
Constructed |
MCDAT31X |
Any Time Cov Medicaid or SCHIP - R3/1 |
Constructed |
MCDAT42X |
Any Time Cov Medicaid or SCHIP - R4/2 |
Constructed |
MCDAT53X |
Any Time Cov Medicaid or SCHIP - R5/3 |
Constructed |
MCDAT07X |
Any Time Cov Medicaid or SCHIP-12/31/07 |
Constructed |
OTPAAT31 |
Any Time Cov Ot Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R3/1 |
Constructed |
OTPAAT42 |
Any Time Cov Ot Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R4/2 |
Constructed |
OTPAAT53 |
Any Time Cov Ot Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R5/3 |
Constructed |
OTPAAT07 |
Any Cov Ot Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/07 |
Constructed |
OTPBAT31 |
Any Cov Ot Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R3/1 |
Constructed |
OTPBAT42 |
Any Cov Ot Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R4/2 |
Constructed |
OTPBAT53 |
Any Cov Ot Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R5/3 |
Constructed |
OTPBAT07 |
Any Cv Ot Gv Nt Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/07 |
Constructed |
OTPUBA31 |
Cov/Pay Oth Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R3/1 Int |
Constructed |
OTPUBA42 |
Cov/Pay Oth Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R4/2 Int |
Constructed |
OTPUBA53 |
Cov/Pay Oth Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO 12-31/R3 |
Constructed |
OTPUBA07 |
Cov/Pay Oth Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/07 |
Constructed |
OTPUBB31 |
Cov Oth Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R3/1 Int |
Constructed |
OTPUBB42 |
Cov Oth Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-R4/2 Int |
Constructed |
OTPUBB53 |
Cov Oth Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO 12-31/R3 |
Constructed |
OTPUBB07 |
Cov Oth Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRIDK31 |
Cov by Priv Ins (Dk Plan) - R3/1 Int |
Constructed |
PRIDK42 |
Cov by Priv Ins (Dk Plan) - R4/2 Int |
Constructed |
PRIDK53 |
Cov by Priv Ins (Dk Plan) 12-31/R3 Int |
Constructed |
PRIDK07 |
Cov by Priv Ins (Dk Plan) - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRIEU31 |
Cov by Empl/Union Grp Ins - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIEU42 |
Cov by Empl/Union Grp Ins - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIEU53 |
Cov by Empl/Union Grp Ins 12-31/R3 Int |
Constructed |
PRIEU07 |
Cov by Empl/Union Grp Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRING31 |
Cov by Non-Group Ins - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRING42 |
Cov by Non-Group Ins - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRING53 |
Cov by Non-Group Ins 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRING07 |
Cov by Non-Group Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRIOG31 |
Cov by Other Group Ins - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIOG42 |
Cov by Other Group Ins - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIOG53 |
Cov by Other Group Ins 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIOG07 |
Cov by Other Group Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRIS31 |
Cov by Self-Emp-1 Ins - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIS42 |
Cov by Self-Emp-1 Ins - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIS53 |
Cov by Self-Emp-1 Ins 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PRIS07 |
Cov by Self-Emp-1 Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRIV31 |
Cov by Priv Hlth Ins - R3/1 Int Date |
Constructed |
PRIV42 |
Cov by Priv Hlth Ins - R4/2 Int Date |
Constructed |
PRIV53 |
Cov by Priv Hlth Ins 12-31/R3 Int Date |
Constructed |
PRIV07 |
Cov by Priv Hlth Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PRIVAT31 |
Any Time Cov Private Ins - R3/1 |
Constructed |
PRIVAT42 |
Any Time Cov Private Ins - R4/2 |
Constructed |
PRIVAT53 |
Any Time Cov Private Ins - R5/3 |
Constructed |
PRIVAT07 |
Any Time Cov Private Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PROUT31 |
Cov by Someone Out Of Ru - R3/1 Int |
Constructed |
PROUT42 |
Cov by Someone Out Of Ru - R4/2 Int |
Constructed |
PROUT53 |
Cov by Someone Out Of Ru 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
PROUT07 |
Cov by Someone Out Of Ru - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
PUB31X |
Cov by Public Ins - R3/1 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
PUB42X |
Cov by Public Ins - R4/2 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
PUB53X |
Cov by Public Ins 12-31/R3 Int Dt (Ed) |
Constructed |
PUB07X |
Cov by Public Ins - 12/31/07 (Ed) |
Constructed |
PUBAT31X |
Any Time Cov by Public - R3/1 |
Constructed |
PUBAT42X |
Any Time Cov by Public - R4/2 |
Constructed |
PUBAT53X |
Any Time Cov by Public - R5/3 |
Constructed |
PUBAT07X |
Any Time Cov by Public - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
INS31X |
Insured - R3/1 Int Date (Ed) |
Constructed |
INS42X |
Insured - R4/2 Int Date (Ed) |
Constructed |
INS53X |
Insured 12-31/R3 Int Date (Ed) |
Constructed |
INS07X |
Insured - 12/31/07 (Ed) |
Constructed |
INSAT31X |
Insured Any Time in R3/1 |
Constructed |
INSAT42X |
Insured Any Time in R4/2 |
Constructed |
INSAT53X |
Insured Any Time in R5/3 |
Constructed |
INSAT07X |
Insured Any Time in R5/R3 until 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
STAPR31 |
Cov by State-Spec Prog - R3/1 Int Dt |
Constructed |
STAPR42 |
Cov by State-Spec Prog - R4/2 Int Dt |
Constructed |
STAPR53 |
Cov by State-Spec Prog 12-31/R3 Int Dt |
Constructed |
STAPR07 |
Cov by State-Spec Prog - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
STPRAT31 |
Any Time Coverage by State Ins - R3/1 |
Constructed |
STPRAT42 |
Any Time Coverage by State Ins - R4/2 |
Constructed |
STPRAT53 |
Any Time Coverage by State Ins - R5/3 |
Constructed |
STPRAT07 |
Any Time Cov by State Ins - 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
EVRUNINS |
Ever Uninsured in 07 Using PRIV/PUBX |
Constructed |
EVRUNAT |
Ever Uninsured in 07 Using PRIVAT/PUBATX |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
DENTAL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRIVATE INSURANCE VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
DENTIN31 |
Dental Insurance– RD 3/1 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
DENTIN42 |
Dental Insurance– RD 4/2 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
DENTIN53 |
Dental Insurance– RD 5/3 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
DNTINS31 |
Dental Ins - Rd 3/1 in 07 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
DNTINS07 |
Dental Ins - R5/R3 until 12/31/07 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
PMEDIN31 |
Prescription Drug Insurance – RD 3/1 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
PMEDIN42 |
Prescription Drug Insurance – RD 4/2 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
PMEDIN53 |
Prescription Drug Insurance – RD 5/3 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
PMDINS31 |
Pmed Ins - Rd 3/1 in 07 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
PMDINS07 |
Pmed Ins - R5/R3 until 12/31/07 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
Return To Table Of Contents
THIRD PARTY PAYER VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
LABEL |
SOURCE |
PMEDUP31 |
Has Usual 3rd Party Payer for Pmeds – R3/1 |
CP01A |
PMEDUP42 |
Has Usual 3rd Party Payer for Pmeds – R4/2 |
CP01A |
PMEDUP53 |
Has Usual 3rd Party Payer for Pmeds – R4/2 |
CP01A |
PMEDPY31 |
Usual 3rd Party Payer for Pmeds – R3/1 |
CP01B |
PMEDPY42 |
Usual 3rd Party Payer for Pmeds – R4/2 |
CP01B |
PMEDPY53 |
Usual 3rd Party Payer for Pmeds – R5/3 |
CP01B |
PMEDOP31 |
Out-of-Pocket Payment for Last Pmed-R3/1 |
CP01C |
PMEDOP42 |
Out-of-Pocket Payment for Last Pmed-R4/2 |
CP01C |
PMEDOP53 |
Out-of-Pocket Payment for Last Pmed-R5/3 |
CP01C |
Return To Table Of Contents
EXPERIENCES WITH PUBLIC PLAN VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
GDCPBM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Prb Gett Pers Doc-R4/2 |
SP24 |
APRTRM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Need Apprv 4 Trt-R4/2 |
SP25 |
APRDLM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Dly Wait 4 Apprv-R4/2 |
SP26 |
LKINFM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Look 4 Plan Info-R4/2 |
SP27 |
PBINFM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Prob Findng Info-R4/2 |
SP28 |
CSTSVM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Call Custmr Serv-R4/2 |
SP29 |
PBSVCM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Prb w Cusrvc Hlp-R4/2 |
SP30 |
PPRWKM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Comp Plan Pprwrk -R4/2 |
SP31 |
PBPWKM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Prb W Pln Pprwrk -R4/2 |
SP32 |
RTPLNM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP O Pub: Rate Exp W Plan -R4/2 |
SP33 |
GDCPBT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Prob Getting Pers Doc-R4/2 |
SP35 |
APRTRT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Need Apprvl 4 Treatmnt-R4/2 |
SP36 |
APRDLT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Delay Waiting 4 Apprvl-R4/2 |
SP37 |
LKINFT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Info on How Plan Works-R4/2 |
SP38 |
PBINFT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Problem Finding Info-R4/2 |
SP39 |
CSTSVT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Call Customer Service-R4/2 |
SP40 |
PBSVCT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Prob Get Help Fr Cst Srvc-R4/2 |
SP41 |
PPRWKT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Fill Out Paperwrk 4 Pln-R4/2 |
SP42 |
PBPWKT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Prob w Plan Paperwork-R4/2 |
SP43 |
RTPLNT42 |
TRICR/CHAMV: Rate Experience w Plan-R4/2 |
SP44 |
Return To Table Of Contents
PERSON-LEVEL UTILIZATION VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
OBTOTV07 |
# Office-Based Provider Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OBDRV07 |
# Office-Based Physician Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OBOTHV07 |
# Office-Based Non-Physician Vsts 2007 |
Constructed |
OBCHIR07 |
# Office-Based Chiropractor Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OBNURS07 |
# Off-Based Nurse/Practitioner Vsts 2007 |
Constructed |
OBOPTO07 |
# Office-Based Optometrist Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OBASST07 |
# Office-Based Physician Ass’t Vsts 2007 |
Constructed |
OBTHER07 |
# Office-Based PT/OT Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OPTOTV07 |
# Outpatient Dept Provider Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OPDRV07 |
# Outpatient Dept Physician Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
OPOTHV07 |
# Outpatient Dept Non-DR Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
AMCHIR07 |
# Chiropractor Visits (Office-based plus Outpatient) 2007 |
Constructed |
AMNURS07 |
# Ambulatory Nurse/Practitioner Visits (Office-based plus Outpatient)
2007 |
Constructed |
AMOPTO07 |
# Ambulatory Optometrist Visits (Office-based plus Outpatient) 2007 |
Constructed |
AMASST07 |
# Physician Assistant Visitts (Office-based plus Outpatient) 2007 |
Constructed |
AMTHER07 |
# Ambulatory PT/OT Therapy Visits (Office-based plus Outpatient) 2007 |
Constructed |
ERTOT07 |
# Emergency Room Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
IPZERO07 |
# Zero-Night Hospital Stays 2007 |
Constructed |
IPDIS07 |
# Hospital Discharges 2007 |
Constructed |
IPNGTD07 |
# Nights in Hosp for Discharges 2007 |
Constructed |
DVTOT07 |
# Dental Care Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
DVGEN07 |
# General Dentist Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
DVORTH07 |
# Orthodontist Visits 2007 |
Constructed |
HHTOTD07 |
# Home Health Provider Days 2007 |
Constructed |
HHAGD07 |
# Agency Home Health Provider Days 2007 |
Constructed |
HHINDD07 |
# Non-Agency Home Hlth Providr Days 2007 |
Constructed |
HHINFD07 |
# Informal Home Hlth Provider Days 2007 |
Constructed |
RXTOT07 |
# Prescribed Medicines including Refills 2007 |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
WEIGHTS VARIABLES
VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
PERWT07F |
Use File Person Weight |
Constructed |
FAMWT07F |
Expenditure File Family Weight, 2007 |
Constructed |
FAMWT07C |
Expenditure File Family Weight-CPS Family on 12/31/07 |
Constructed |
SAQWT07F |
Use File SAQ Weight |
Constructed |
DIABW07F |
Use File Diabetes Care Supplement Weight |
Constructed |
VARSTR |
Variance Estimation Stratum - 2007 |
Constructed |
VARPSU |
Variance Estimation PSU - 2007 |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
Appendix 1: Summary of Utilization and Expenditure Variables
by Health Service Category
HEALTH SERVICE CATEGORY
|
UTILIZATION
VARIABLE(S)
|
EXPENDITURE
VARIABLE(S) 1
|
All Health Services
|
-- |
TOT***07 |
Office Based Visits
|
|
|
Total Office Based Visits
(Physician + Non-physician + Unknown)
|
OBTOTV07 |
OBV***07 |
Office Based Visits to Physicians
|
OBDRV07 |
OBD***07 |
Office Based Visits to Non-Physicians
|
OBOTHV07 |
OBO***07 |
Office Based Visits to Chiropractors
|
OBCHIR07 |
OBC***07 |
Office Based Nurse or Nurse
Practitioner Visits
|
OBNURS07 |
OBN***07 |
Office Based Visits to Optometrists
|
OBOPTO07 |
OBE***07 |
Office Based Physician Assistant
Visits
|
OBASST07 |
OBA***07 |
Office Based Physical or
Occupational Therapist Visits
|
OBTHER07 |
OBT***07 |
Hospital Outpatient Visits
|
|
|
Total Outpatient Visits (Physician
+ Non-physician + Unknown)
|
OPTOTV07 |
-- |
Sum of Facility and SBD Expenses
|
-- |
OPT***07 |
Facility Expense
|
-- |
OPF***07 |
SBD Expense |
-- |
OPD***07 |
Outpatient Visits to Physicians
|
OPDRV07 |
-- |
Facility Expense
|
-- |
OPV***07 |
SBD Expense
|
-- |
OPS***07 |
Outpatient Visits to Non-Physicians
|
OPOTHV07 |
-- |
Facility Expense
|
-- |
OPO***07 |
SBD Expense
|
-- |
OPP***07 |
Emergency Room Visits
|
|
|
Total Emergency Room Visits
|
ERTOT07 |
-- |
Sum of Facility and SBD Expenses
|
-- |
ERT***07 |
Facility Expense
|
-- |
ERF***07 |
SBD Expense |
-- |
ERD***07 |
Inpatient Hospital Stays (Including
Zero Night Stays)
|
|
|
Total Inpatient Stays (Including
Zero Night Stays)
|
IPDIS07, IPNGTD07 |
-- |
Sum of Facility and SBD Expenses
|
-- |
IPT***07 |
Facility Expense
|
-- |
IPF***07 |
SBD Expense |
-- |
IPD***07 |
Zero night Hospital Stays
|
IPZERO07 |
-- |
Facility Expense
|
-- |
ZIF***07 |
SBD Expense
|
-- |
ZID***07 |
Dental Visits
|
|
|
Total Dental Visits
|
DVTOT07 |
DVT***07 |
General Dental Visits
|
DVGEN07 |
DVG***07 |
Orthodontist Visits
|
DVORTH07 |
DVO***07 |
Home Health Care
|
|
|
Total Home Health Care
|
HHTOTD07 |
-- |
Agency Sponsored
|
HHAGD07 |
HHA***07 |
Paid Independent Providers
|
HHINDD07 |
HHN***07 |
Informal
|
HHINFD07 |
-- |
Other
|
|
|
Vision Aids
|
-- |
VIS***07 |
Other Medical Supplies and
Equipment
|
-- |
OTH***07 |
Prescription Medicines2
|
RXTOT07 |
RX***07 |
Return To Table Of Contents
KEY: To complete variable name, replace *** with a particular source of payment
category as identified in the following tables:
Source of Payment
Category
|
***
|
Total payments (sum of all
sources)
|
EXP
|
Out of Pocket
|
SLF
|
Medicare
|
MCR
|
Medicaid
|
MCD
|
Private Insurance
|
PRV
|
Veteran's Administration
|
VA
|
TRICARE
|
TRI
|
Other Federal Sources
|
OFD
|
Other State and Local Sources
|
STL
|
Workers'Compensation
|
WCP
|
Other Private
|
OPR
|
Other Public
|
OPU
|
Other Unclassified Sources
|
OSR
|
|
|
Total charges 2
|
TCH
|
Collapsed Source of
Payment Category
|
***
|
Private and TRICARE
|
PRT
|
Other Federal, Other State
and Local,
Other Private, Other Public, and Other Unclassified Sources
|
OTH
|
1 See key at end of table for specific
categories for ***.
2 No charge variables on file for
prescription medicines.
Return To Table Of Contents
|