February 2014
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-RFREL12X)
2.5.4 Person-Level Condition Variables (RTHLTH31-ADHDAGED)
2.5.4.1 Perceived Health Status and Pregnancy Indicator
2.5.4.2 Priority Condition Variables (HIBPDX-ADHDAGED)
2.5.5 Health Status Variables (IADLHP31-DSPRX53)
2.5.5.1 IADL and ADL Limitations
2.5.5.2 Functional and Activity Limitations
2.5.5.3 Vision Problems
2.5.5.4 Hearing Problems
2.5.5.5 Any Limitation Rounds 3, 4, and 5 (Panel 16) / Rounds 1, 2, and 3 (Panel 17)
2.5.5.6 Child Health and Preventive Care
2.5.5.7 Preventive Care Variables
2.5.5.8 2012 Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ)
2.5.5.9 Diabetes Care Survey (DCS)
2.5.6 Disability Days Indicator Variables (DDNWRK31-OTHNDD53)
2.5.7 Access to Care Variables (ACCELI42-PMDLPR42)
2.5.7.1 United States Residency
2.5.7.2 Family Members’ Origins and Preferred Languages
2.5.7.3 Family Members’ Usual Source of Health Care
2.5.7.4 Characteristics of Usual Source of Health Care Providers
2.5.7.5 Access to and Satisfaction with the Provider
2.5.7.6 Access to Medical Treatment, Dental Treatment, and Prescription Medicines
2.5.7.7 Editing the Access to Care Variables
2.5.7.8 Recoding of Additional Other Specify Text Items
2.5.8 Employment Variables (EMPST31-YNOINS53)
2.5.9 Health Insurance Variables (TRIJA12X-RTPLNT42)
2.5.9.1 Monthly Health Insurance Indicators (TRIJA12X-INSDE12X)
2.5.9.2 Summary Insurance Coverage Indicators (PRVEV12-INSURC12)
2.5.9.3 FY 2012 PUF Managed Care Variables (TRIST31X-PRDRNP12)
2.5.9.4 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAGT31-FSAAMT31)
2.5.9.5 Unedited Health Insurance Variables (PREVCOVR-INSENDYY)
2.5.9.6 Health Insurance Coverage Variables – At Any Time/At Interview Date/At 12-31 Variables (TRICR31X - EVRUNAT)
2.5.9.7 Dental and Prescription Drug Private Insurance Variables (DENTIN31-PMDINS12)
2.5.9.8 Prescription Drug Usual Third Party Payer Variables (PMEDUP31-PMEDPP53)
2.5.9.9 Experiences with Public Plans Variables (GDCPBM42 - RTPLNT42)
2.5.10 Person-Level Medical Utilization Variables (OBTOTV12 - HHINFD12)
2.5.10.1 Medical Provider Visits (i.e., Office-Based Visits)
2.5.10.2 Hospital Events
2.5.10.3 Dental Care Visits
2.5.10.4 Home Health Care
2.5.11 Changes in Variable List
2.6 Linking to Other Files
2.6.1 Event and Condition Files
2.6.2 National Health Interview Survey
2.6.3 Longitudinal Analysis
3.0 Survey Sample Information
3.1 Background on Sample Design and Response Rates
3.1.1 References
3.1.2 MEPS--Linked to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
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 17 Response Rates
3.2.3 Panel 16 Response Rates
3.2.4 Annual Combined Panel Response Rate
3.2.5 Oversampling
3.3 Background on Person-Level Estimation Using this MEPS Public Use Release
3.3.1 Overview
3.3.2 Developing Person-Level Estimates
3.4 Details on Person-Level Weights Construction
3.4.1 Overview
3.4.2 MEPS Panel 16 Weight Development Process
3.4.3 MEPS Panel 17 Weight Development Process
3.4.4 Raking
3.4.5 The Final Non-Poverty Adjusted Weight for 2012
3.4.6 A Note on MEPS Population Estimates
3.4.7 Coverage
3.5 No Family, SAQ, or DCS Weights on this Public Use File
3.6 Variance Estimation
3.7 Using MEPS Data for Trend Analysis
D. Variable-Source Crosswalk
Individual
identifiers have been removed from the micro-data contained in these files.
Nevertheless, under sections 308 (d) and 903 (c) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 242m and 42 U.S.C. 299 a-1), data collected by the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and/or the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) may not be used for any purpose other than for the purpose
for which they were supplied; any effort to determine the identity of any
reported cases is prohibited by law.
Therefore
in accordance with the above referenced Federal Statute, 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
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 noninstitutionalized 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
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 visits, 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
MEPS
HC and MPC data are collected under the authority of the Public Health Service
Act. Data are collected under contract with Westat, Inc. (MEPS HC) and Research
Triangle Institute (MEPS MPC). 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: 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).
Return To Table Of Contents
This documentation describes the 2012 full-year population characteristics data file from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS HC). Released as an ASCII file (with related SAS, SPSS, and Stata 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 2012. The file contains 1,164 variables and has a logical record length of 2,421 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 16 and Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Panel 17, the rounds for the
MEPS panels covering calendar year 2012, and contains variables pertaining to
survey administration, demographics, person-level conditions, health status, disability
days, quality of care, employment, health insurance, patient satisfaction, and
person-level medical care use counts. The 2012 full-year expenditure and income
data will be forthcoming.
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
Both weighted and unweighted frequencies of most variables
included in the 2012 full-year population characteristics data file are
provided in the accompanying codebook file. The exceptions to this are weight
variables and variance estimation variables. Only unweighted frequencies of
these variables are included in the accompanying codebook file. See the Weights
Variables list in Section D, Variable-Source Crosswalk.
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 at the following link on the MEPS Web
site: meps.ahrq.gov.
Return To Table Of Contents
This public use dataset
contains variables and frequency distributions associated with 38,974 persons who participated in the MEPS Household Component of the Medical
Expenditure Panel Survey in 2012. 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).
Note that persons who will have a positive family weight but not a positive
person weight have been placed on this public use file to maintain consistency
in terms of file structure with the upcoming public use file with expenditure
and income data. Those will be the only records without a positive person
weight appearing on this file.
Note
that unlike some previous MEPS Population Characteristic files, family weights
are not included on this release. As indicated above, all persons included on
this file that do not have positive person weights will have a positive family
weight on the final 2012 Consolidated PUF: HC-155.
These 38,974 persons
were part of one of the two MEPS panels for whom data were collected in 2012:
Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of Panel 16 or Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Panel 17. Of these
persons, 37,182 were assigned a
positive person-level weight. In conjunction with the person-level weight
variable (PERWT12P) 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 2012.
Return To Table Of Contents
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
- Person-level priority condition variables
- Health status variables
- Disability days variables
- Access to care variables
- Employment variables
- Health insurance variables
- Medical usage count variables
- Weight and variance estimation variables
Return To Table Of Contents
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 |
| DK |
Question was asked and respondent did not know answer |
| NOT ASCERTAINED |
Interviewer did not record the data |
| HOURLY WAGE >= $75.76 |
Hourly wage was top-coded for confidentiality |
| INITIAL WAGE IMPUTED |
Hourly wage was previously imputed so an updated wage is not included in this file |
Return To Table Of Contents
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 |
Return To Table Of Contents
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 16
and Round 1, 2, or 3 of Panel 17. Unless otherwise noted, variables that end in
“12” represent status as of December 31, 2012.
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 reenumeration
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.”
Return To Table Of Contents
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 sample persons for 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 meps.ahrq.gov/about_meps/hc_sample.shtml.
Return To Table Of Contents
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 reenumeration 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, 2012. Variable names ending in
“xy” represent variables relevant to Round “x” of Panel 16 or Round “y” of
Panel 17. For example, RULETR53 is a variable relevant to Round 5 of Panel 16 or
Round 3 of Panel 17, depending on the panel in which the person was included.
The variable PANEL indicates the panel in which the person participated.
The December 31, 2012 variables were developed in two
ways. Those used in the construction of eligibility,
in-scope, 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.
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 16 or Panel 17 for each
person on the file. Panel 16 is the panel that started in 2011, and Panel 17 is
the panel that started in 2012.
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, 2012 or the last round they
were in the survey) is indicated by the RULETR12 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 an 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 RUSIZE12 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 FAMID12 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, 2012.
The FAMID variables differ from the RULETR variables only in that student RUs
are combined with their parents’ RU.
One other family identifier, FAMIDYR, is provided on this
file. The annualized family ID letter, FAMIDYR, identifies eligible members of
the eligible annualized families within a DU. 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.
The round-specific variables FAMSZE31, FAMSZE42, FAMSZE53,
and the end-of-year status variable FAMSZE12 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,
RUSIZE12, FAMSZE31, FAMSZE42, FAMSZE53, and FAMSZE12 exclude persons who are
ineligible for data collection (i.e., those where ELGRND31 NE 1, ELGRND42 NE 1,
ELGRND53 NE 1 or ELGRND12 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 1/1/12 |
| 82 |
Entire RU is military before 1/1/12 |
| 83 |
Entire RU institutionalized before 1/1/12 |
| 84 |
Entire RU left U.S. before 1/1/12 |
| 85 |
Entire RU is ineligible before 1/1/12; Multi-reason |
| 86 |
Entire RU is ineligible; Non-Key NHIS study |
| 87 |
Reenumeration 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 1/1/12 |
| 95 |
Entire RU institutionalized after 1/1/12; No proxy |
| 96 |
Entire RU deceased after 1/1/12; No proxy
|
| 97 |
Reenumeration 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 |
Reenumeration 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 1/1/12 |
| 95 |
Entire RU institutionalized after 1/1/12; No proxy |
| 96 |
Entire RU deceased after 1/1/12; No proxy |
| 97 |
Reenumeration 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. RUCLAS12 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 RUCLAS12 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 RUCLAS12 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 RUCLAS12 was set to
RUCLAS31. If the person was not linked to a responding RU during any round,
then RUCLAS12 was set to ‑9.
Geographic Variables
The round-specific variables REGION31, REGION42, REGION53,
and the end-of-year status variable REGION12 indicate the Census region for the
RU. REGION12 indicates the region for the 2012 portion of Round 5/3. For most
analyses, REGION12 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 MSA12 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. MSA12 indicates the MSA status for
the 2012 portion of Round 5/3. For most analyses, analysts should use MSA12
rather than MSA31, MSA42, or MSA53.
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, BEGRFD31, BEGRFY31, BEGRFM42, BEGRFD42,
BEGRFY42, BEGRFM53, BEGRFD53, and BEGRFY53. The reference period for Round 1
for most persons began on January 1, 2012 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,
ENDRFD31, ENDRFY31, ENDRFM42, ENDRFD42, ENDRFY42, ENDRFM53, ENDRFD53, ENDRFY53,
ENDRFM12, ENDRFD12, and ENDRFY12. 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.
Reference Person Identifiers
The round-specific variables REFPRS31, REFPRS42, and
REFPRS53 and the end-of-year status variable REFPRS12 identify the reference
person for Rounds 3/1, 4/2 and 5/3, and as of December 31, 2012 (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 RESP12 identify the
respondent for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3 and as of December 31, 2012 (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 PROXY12
identify the type of respondent for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, 5/3 and as of December 31,
2012 (or the last round they were in the survey).
Return To Table Of Contents
Language of Interview
The language of interview variable (INTVLANG) is a summary
value of the round-specific RU-level information section question, (RS02),
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.
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 in-scope status, Keyness status,
eligibility status, and disposition status. These variables include: KEYNESS,
INSCOP31, INSCOP42, INSCOP53, INSCOP12, INSC1231, INSCOPE, ELGRND31, ELGRND42,
ELGRND53, ELGRND12, PSTATS31, PSTATS42, and PSTATS53. These variables are set
based on sampling information and responses provided in the reenumeration
section of the CAPI questionnaire.
Through the reenumeration section of the CAPI
questionnaire, each member of a RU was classified as “Key” or “Non-Key”, “in-scope”
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 2012. Because a person’s eligibility for
the survey might have changed since the NHIS interview, a sampling reenumeration
of household membership was conducted at the start of each round’s interview.
Only persons who were “in-scope” sometime during the year, were “Key”, and
responded for the full period in which they were in-scope 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 2012, then newborns should be identified using AGE12X = 0 rather than PSTATSxy = 51.
In-scope
The round-specific variables INSCOP31, INSCOP42, and
INSCOP53 indicate a person’s in-scope status for Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3.
INSCOP12, INSC1231, and INSCOPE indicate a person’s in-scope status for the
portion of Round 5/3 that covers 2012, the person’s in-scope status as of
12/31/12, and whether a person was ever in-scope during the calendar year 2012.
A person was considered as in-scope 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 in-scope status over time
(for example, becoming in-scope 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, 2012 |
| 1 |
Person is in-scope for the whole reference period |
| 2 |
Person is in-scope at the start of the RU reference
period, but not at the end of the RU reference period |
| 3 |
Person is not in-scope at the start of RU reference
period, but is in-scope at the end of the RU reference period. (For example,
the person is in-scope 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 in-scope 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 in-scope 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, 2012 for INSCOP12) |
| 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 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 either a member of a responding NHIS
household at the time of interview, or joined a family associated with such a
household after being out-of-scope at the time of the NHIS (examples of the
latter situation include newborns and those returning from military service, an
institution, or residence in a foreign country).
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 expenditures) 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, in-scope 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 in-scope during 2012.
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 in-scope
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, in-scope 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 in-scope 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 ELGRND12 indicate a person’s eligibility status for
Rounds 3/1, 4/2, and 5/3 and as of December 31, 2012.
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 2012.
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 in-scope 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 |
| 23 |
The person leaves an institution and dies – 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 in-scope 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 in-scope (not eligible) |
| 74 |
Moved as full-time military but not to a military facility and without someone Key and in-scope (not eligible this round) |
| 81 |
Person moved from original RU, full-time student living away from home, did not respond |
Return To Table Of Contents
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, BEGRFD31, BEGRFD42, BEGRFD53, BEGRFY31, BEGRFY42,
BEGRFY53, ENDRFM31, ENDRFM42, ENDRFM53, ENDRFD31, ENDRFD42, ENDRFD53, ENDRFY31,
ENDRFY42, ENDRFY53, ENDRFM12, ENDRFD12, and ENDRFY12.
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 (CL) section 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.
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 2012.
| 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 |
ALLsections |
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, 2012 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, 2012 PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
| 13 |
FT student living away from home, but associated with sampled household |
-- |
PSTATS31:
January 1, 2012 PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Interview date |
| 14 |
The
person is FT active military duty during round and is in-scope for part of
the reference period and is in the RU at the end of the reference period |
-- |
PSTATS31:
January 1, 2012 PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
PSTATS31: Interview date PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: If the person is living w/ someone Key and in-scope,
then the interview date. If not living w/ someone who is Key and in-scope,
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, 2012 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, 2012 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, 2012 PSTATS42 and PSTATS53: Prior round interview date |
Date institutionalized |
| 34 |
Moved from original household, outside US |
-- |
PSTATS31:
January 1, 2012 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, 2012 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, 2012 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, 2012 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, 2012 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 in-scope during the round |
-- |
PSTATS31:
January 1, 2012 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) |
PSTATS31:
January 1, 2012 if born prior to 2012. The date of birth if born in 2012.
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, 2012 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 in-scope (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 in-scope (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 |
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.3 Demographic Variables (AGE31X-RFREL12X)
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 16 (the panel that started in 2011); Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of Panel
17 (the panel that started in 2012); and status as of December 31, 2012.
Demographic variables that are round-specific are identified by names including
numbers “xy”, where x and y refer to Round numbers of Panel 16 and Panel 17
respectively. Thus, for example, AGE31X represents the age data relevant to
Round 3 of Panel 16 or Round 1 of Panel 17. 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 16 indicates Panel 16 data and a value
of 17 indicates Panel 17 data. The remaining demographic variables on this file
are not round-specific.
The variables describing demographic status of the person
as of December 31, 2012 were developed in two ways. First, the age variable
(AGE12X) represents the exact age, calculated from date of birth and indicates
age status as of 12/31/12. For the remaining December 31st variables
[i.e., related to marital status (MARRY12X, SPOUID12, SPOUIN12), student status
(FTSTU12X), and the relationship to reference persons (RFREL12X)], 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, AGE12X, and AGELAST
were top-coded at 85 years.
When date of birth was not provided but age was provided
(either from the MEPS interviews or the 2010-2011 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 49 persons on this file. Age was determined for 42 additional
persons from data in a later round.
AGELAST indicates a
person’s age from the last time the person was eligible for data collection
during a specific calendar year. The age range for this variable is between 0
and 85.
Sex
Data on the gender of each RU member (SEX) were initially
determined from the 2010 NHIS for Panel 16 and from the 2011 NHIS for Panel 17.
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 (5 cases were resolved this way).
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 with data collection in 2012 for Panel 16 Round 5, Panel 17 Round 3, and Panel 18 Round 1. The main change for race is that there is only one race question starting in 2012; previously there were two questions. All Asian categories listed in the second question, RE101B, were moved to one question, RE101A. In addition, the new race question had additional detail for the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander categories. The main change for ethnicity is that the new questions allowed respondents to report more than one Hispanic ethnicity. Race/ethnicity data from earlier years may not be directly comparable. The following table shows the variables used for FY 2002-2011 and FY 2012:
MEPS Race and Ethnicity Variables, by Years, 2002 to Present
| FY PUFS 2002 – 2011 |
FY PUFS 2012 |
| Race |
Race |
| |
RACEVER (for both old and new questions) |
| |
1 Person is Hispanic |
| |
2 New race questions |
| RACEX |
RACEV1X (for both old and new questions) |
| 1 White – No other race reported |
1 White – No other race reported |
| 2 Black – No other race reported |
2 Black – No other race reported |
| 3 American Indian/Alaska Native – No other race reported |
3 American Indian/Alaska Native – No other race reported |
| 4 Asian – No other race reported |
4 Asian – No other race reported |
| 5 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – No other race reported |
5 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – No other race reported |
| 6 Multiple races reported |
6 Multiple races reported |
| RACETHNX |
RACETHX (for both old and new questions) |
| 1 Person is Hispanic |
1 Hispanic |
| 2 Person is Black – No other race reported/Not Hispanic |
2 Non-Hispanic White only |
| 3 Person is Asian – No other race reported/Not Hispanic |
3 Non-Hispanic Black only |
| 4 Other race/Not Hispanic |
4 Non-Hispanic Asian only |
| |
5 Non-Hispanic Other race or multi-race |
| RACEAX |
RACEAX (for both old and new questions) |
| 1 Asian – No other race reported |
1 Asian – No other race reported |
| 2 Asian – Other race(s) reported |
2 Asian – Other race(s) reported |
| 3 All other race assignments |
3 All other race assignments |
| RACEBX |
RACEBX (for both old and new questions) |
| 1 Black – No other race reported |
1 Black – No other race reported |
| 2 Black – Other race(s) reported |
2 Black – Other race(s) reported |
| 3 All other race assignments |
3 All other race assignments |
| RACEWX |
RACEWX (for both old and new questions) |
| 1 White – No other race reported |
1 White – No other race reported |
| 2 White – Other race(s) reported |
2 White – Other race(s) reported |
| 3 All other race assignments |
3 All other race assignments |
| ETHNICITY |
ETHNICITY |
| HISPANX |
HISPANX (for both old and new questions) |
| 1 Hispanic |
1 Hispanic |
| 2 Not Hispanic |
2 Not Hispanic |
| HISPCAT |
HISPCAT (for only old questions) |
| 1 Puerto Rican |
1 Puerto Rican |
| 2 Cuban/Cuban American |
2 Cuban/Cuban American |
| 3 Dominican |
3 Dominican |
| 4 Mexican/Mexican American |
4 Mexican/Mexican American |
| 5 Central or South American |
5 Central or South American |
| 6 Non-Hispanic |
6 Non-Hispanic |
| 91 Other Latin American |
91 Other Latin American |
| 92 Other Hispanic/ Latino |
92 Other Hispanic/ Latino |
| |
-1 Not Applicable (old question was not asked) |
Race and ethnicity variables and
their values for years prior to 2002 are available in the documentation for the
FY Consolidated PUF for each data year.
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 12 persons to set race and 12
persons to set ethnicity).
For the 2012 FY PUF, three new race variables were constructed for both the old and new questions: RACEVER, RACEV1X, and RACETHX. A new variable, RACEVER, was constructed to indicate which race version questions were asked, the old questions (Panel 16 Rounds 1 through 4, Panel 17 Rounds 1 and 2) or the new questions (Panel 16 Round 5, Panel 17 Round 3). This variable will be included in only the 2012 and 2013 FY PUFs. The variables RACEV1X and RACETHX replace the variables RACEX and RACETHNX from 2002-2011.
For the 2012 FY PUF, the two Hispanic ethnicity variables from previous years are included: HISPANX and HISPCAT. The HISPANX variable includes information from both the old and new questions. The HISPCAT variable includes categories for specific Hispanic categories based only on the old question. The 183 Hispanic persons who were not asked the old question ascertaining specific Hispanic subgroup are coded ‘-1’ (old question was not asked).
Return To Table Of Contents
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 MARRY12X. 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 SPOUID12. 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, 2012, respectively. If no
spouse was identified in the household, the variable was coded as 995 “No Spouse
in House”. 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 SPOUIN12 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, 2012 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 RE76A, where the respondent was asked to identify how each
pair of persons in the household was 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.
Student Status and Educational Attainment
The variables FTSTU31X, FTSTU42X, FTSTU53X and FTSTU12X
indicate whether the person was a full-time student at the interview date (or
12/31/12 for FTSTU12X). 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 17, it was based on age as of the 2011 NHIS interview date.
Number of years of education completed is indicated in the
variable EDUCYR. Information was obtained from question RE103. 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.
A new education question was introduced at RE103 in Panel 16
Round 3 and Panel 17 Round 1, and was asked only of new RU members. RU members
from previous rounds have their education data recorded in EDUCYR and HIDEG,
but education data for new RU members is recorded in the new constructed variable
EDUYRDEG (Year of Education or Highest Degree) whose categories describe the detailed
level of education at the time of the interview. Categories for EDUYRDEG
include: less than 1st grade, grades 1 to 12, GED or equivalent, high school
diploma, some college with no degree, technical associate degree, academic
associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, professional school, doctorate
degree, and less than 5 years old. The user should note that EDUYRDEG is an
unedited variable and minimal data cleaning was performed on this variable.
To relate
or recode EDUCYR and HIDEG with EDUYRDEG, a fourth variable was created,
EDRECODE (Education Recode). Each person will have a positive value for either
the old variables (EDUCYR and HIDEG) or for the new variable (EDUYRDEG) but not
both, and each person will have a value in EDRECODE. EDRECODE represents a
broader classification of education, combining the old and new education
question designs. EDRECODE is a discreet variable from 0 “Less than 1st Grade”
to 16 “Master, Doctorate, or Other Professional Degree.” Some levels of
education have been grouped such as ‘GED’ and ‘high school graduate’; ‘some
college’ and ‘associate degree’; ‘four years of college’ and ‘bachelor’s degree’;
and ‘master’s’, doctorate’, and ‘other professional degree’. Persons who are
less than 5 years old will be coded -1 (Inapplicable).
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”.
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 RFREL12X 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. 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 2012 were
not sufficient to identify the relationship of an individual to the reference
person, relationship variables from the 2011 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.
If the relationship of
two individuals 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.4 Person-Level
Condition Variables (RTHLTH31-ADHDAGED)
2.5.4.1 Perceived
Health Status and Pregnancy Indicator
Perceived
health status (RTHLTH31, RTHLTH42, and RTHLTH53) and perceived mental health
status (MNHLTH31, MNHLTH42, and MNHLTH53) were collected in the Priority
Conditions Enumeration (PE) section. The target persons of the questions are all
current or institutionalized persons regardless of age. These questions (PE00A
and PE00B) asked the respondent to rate each person in the family according to
the following categories: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor.
Respondents
were asked if anyone had been pregnant during the round (“Since (start date)
has anyone in the family been pregnant at any time?”). If it was reported that
someone had been pregnant, questions about pregnancy were asked about female
persons aged 15 through 55. Males, and females who were younger than 16 or
older than 44 (for confidentiality purposes), were coded as “Inapplicable” (‑1).
PREGNT31 indicates if the person was pregnant in Round 3 of Panel 16 or Round 1
of Panel 17, PREGNT42 indicates if the person was pregnant in Round 4 of Panel 16
or Round 2 of Panel 17, and PREGNT53 indicates whether the person was pregnant
in Round 5 of Panel 16 or Round 3 of Panel 17.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.4.2 Priority
Condition Variables (HIBPDX-ADHDAGED)
The
PE section was asked in its entirety in Round 1 for all current or
institutionalized persons, and in Rounds 2 and 4 for only new RU members. In
Rounds 3 and 5, the specific condition questions (except joint pain and chronic
bronchitis) were asked only if the person had not reported the condition in a
previous round; the joint pain and chronic bronchitis questions were asked in
Rounds 3 and 5 for all current or institutionalized persons aged 18 or older,
regardless of Round 1, Round 2, and Round 4 responses.
Priority
condition variables whose names end in “DX” indicate whether the person was
ever diagnosed with the condition. For chronic bronchitis, joint pain, and some
asthma follow-up questions (ASSTIL##, ASATAK##, and ASTHEP## described below),
variables ending in “31” reflect data obtained in Round 3 of Panel 16 and
Round 1 or 2 of Panel 17 and variables ending in “53” reflect data obtained in
Round 4 or 5 of Panel 16 and Round 3 of Panel 17. For asthma treatment
variables (ASACUT53 through ASWNFL53), the data were obtained in Round 5 of
Panel 16 and Round 3 of Panel 17.
Before
2007, the DX variables contained a “53” suffix because they reflected data
collected only in Rounds 3 and 5 in the Priority Conditions Supplement (PC)
section. Beginning in 2007, the suffix was removed because the data were collected
in all rounds. Diagnoses data (except attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder/attention deficit disorder and asthma) were collected for persons over
17 years of age. 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. Following the
same pattern, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit
disorder is asked of persons age 5 to 17 and asthma is asked of persons of all
ages. Exceptions to this pattern are the variables JTPAIN31, JTPAIN53,
CHBRON31, and CHBRON53 which are described in greater detail below.
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
- Chronic Bronchitis
- High cholesterol
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
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.
Condition
data were collected at the person-by-round level (indicating if the person was
ever diagnosed with the condition) and at the condition level. 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
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). The age of
diagnosis for high blood pressure (HIBPAGED) is included in this file. This
variable is top-coded to 85 years of age.
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
The age of diagnosis for coronary heart
disease (CHDAGED), angina (ANGIAGED), heart attack or myocardial infarction
(MIAGED), and other kind of heart disease (OHRTAGED) are included in this file.
These variables are top-coded to 85 years of age.
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). The age of diagnosis for stroke or TIA (STRKAGED) is included in this file. This variable is top-coded to 85 years of age.
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). The age of
diagnosis for emphysema (EMPHAGED) is included in this file. This variable is
top-coded to 85 years of age.
Chronic Bronchitis
CHBRON31
and CHBRON53 asked if the person (aged 18 or older) has had chronic bronchitis
in the last 12 months. 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. Through
2007, a person-level variable (CHLAGE) indicated the age of diagnosis for high
cholesterol on the Person-Level Use PUF. The age of diagnosis for high
cholesterol (CHOLAGED) is included in this file. This variable is top-coded to
85 years of age.
Cancer
Questions
about cancer were asked only of persons aged 18 or older. Consequently, persons
aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (‑1) on these variables.
CANCERDX ascertained whether the person had ever been diagnosed as having
cancer or a malignancy of any kind. If the person answered “Yes” they were
asked at PE22 what type of cancer was diagnosed. CABLADDR, CABLOOD, CABONE,
CABRAIN, CABREAST, CACERVIX, CACOLON, CAESOPH, CAGALLBL, CAKIDNEY, CALARYNX,
CALEUKEM, CALIVER, CALUNG, CALYMPH, CAMELANO, CAMOUTH, CAMUSCLE, CAOTHER, CAOVARY,
CAPANCRS, CAPROSTA, CARECTUM, CASKINNM, CASKINDK, CASTOMCH, CATESTIS, CATHROAT,
CATHYROD, CAUTERUS indicate selection of cancer of the bladder, blood, bone,
brain, breast, cervix, colon, esophagus, gallbladder, kidney, or larynx;
leukemia; cancer of the liver or lung; lymphoma or melanoma; cancer of the
mouth/tongue/lip, soft tissue, muscle, or fat; other type of cancer, cancer of
the ovary, pancreas, prostate, rectum, skin; stomach, testis, throat, thyroid,
or uterus. Cancer of the cervix, ovary, or uterus could not be reported for
males, and cancer of the prostate or testis could not be reported for females. The
age of diagnosis for each cancer is included in this file. These variables are
top-coded to 85 years of age.
In
2011, the variable labels for CASKINDK (Cancer Diagnosed – Skin-DK Kind
(>17)) and SKDKAGED (Age of Diagnosis-Skin-DK Kind Cancer) were changed from
DK Kind to Unknown Type.
For
each reported cancer, a variable is set to indicate whether the cancer was in
remission. These variables, BLDRREMS, BLODREMS, BONEREMS, BRAIREMS, BRSTREMS,
CERVREMS, COLOREMS, ESPHREMS, GLBLREMS, KIDNREMS, LRNXREMS, LEUKREMS, LIVRREMS,
LUNGREMS, LYMPREMS, MELAREMS, MOUTREMS, MUSCREMS, OTHRREMS, OVRYREMS, PANCREMS,
PRSTREMS, RECTREMS, SKNMREMS, SKDKREMS, STOMREMS, TSTSREMS, THRTREMS, THYRREMS,
UTERREMS, were collected at PE25, “Is (person)’s (condition) in remission, that
is, the (condition) is under control?”
Return To Table Of Contents
Recoding of Cancer Variables
Specific
cancer diagnosis variables with a frequency count of fewer than four were removed
from the file for confidentiality reasons, and the corresponding variable
CAOTHER, indicating diagnosis of a cancer that is not counted individually, was
recoded to Yes (1) as necessary. The
age of diagnosis for other cancer, OTHRAGED, was recoded to the highest age
among ages of diagnosis for other cancer reported and the cancers that were
dropped from the file. If CAOTHER was No (2) prior to dropping rare cancers,
then the remission variable for other cancer, OTHRREMS, was recoded with the value
of the dropped cancer remission variable. The age of diagnosis variables and
remission variables were not released on the 2012 public use file for those
specific cancer diagnosis variables that were not released for confidentiality
reasons.
The
variable CABREAST, which indicates diagnosis of breast cancer, was recoded to
inapplicable (-1) for males for confidentiality reasons. The corresponding
value of the general cancer diagnosis variable, CANCERDX, was recoded to not
ascertained (-9), and the corresponding values of remaining specific cancer
variables, and their ages of diagnosis and remission variables, were recoded to
not applicable (-1).
Diabetes
DIABDX
indicates whether each person (aged 18 or older) had ever been diagnosed with
diabetes (excluding gestational diabetes). Persons aged 17 or younger were
coded as “Inapplicable” (-1). The age of diagnosis for diabetes (DIABAGED) is
included in this file. This variable is top-coded to 85 years of age.
REFDIAB
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, and DIABDX is set to “No” (2).
Each
person said to have 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 full
year consolidated file documentation.
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. Persons
aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (-1).
Arthritis
ARTHDX
asked if the person (aged 18 or older) had ever been diagnosed with arthritis.
Persons aged 17 or younger were coded as “Inapplicable” (‑1). Those who
said “Yes” were asked a follow up question to determine the type of arthritis.
ARTHTYPE indicates if the diagnosis was for Rheumatoid Arthritis (1),
Osteoarthritis (2), or non-specific arthritis (3). The age of
diagnosis for arthritis (ARTHAGED) is included in this file. This variable is
top-coded to 85 years of age.
Asthma
ASTHDX
indicates whether a person had ever been diagnosed with asthma. The age of
diagnosis for asthma (ASTHAGED) is included in this file. This variable is
top-coded to 85 years of age.
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. If
the person did not experience an asthma attack in the past 12 months, a follow-up
question (ASTHEPIS31, ASTHEPIS53) asked when the last asthma episode or asthma
attack occurred.
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 if the person reported having been
diagnosed with asthma (ASTHDX = 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). Personswho 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 17, 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.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHDADDX
asked if persons aged 5 through 17 had ever been diagnosed as having Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder. Persons younger
than 5 or older than 17 were coded as “Inapplicable” (‑1). The age of
diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit disorder
(ADHDAGED) is included in this file.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5 Health
Status Variables (IADLHP31-DSPRX53)
Due to the overlapping panel design of the MEPS (Round 3
for Panel 16 overlapped with Round 1 for Panel 17, Round 4 for Panel 16
coincided with Round 2 for Panel 17 and Round 5 for Panel 16 occurred at the
same time as Round 3 for Panel 17), data from overlapping rounds have been
combined across panels. Thus, any variable ending in “31” reflects data
obtained in Round 3 of Panel 16 and Round 1 of Panel 17. Analogous comments
apply to variables ending in “42” and “53”. Health status
variables whose names end in “12” indicate a full-year measurement.
This data release incorporates information from calendar
year 2012. However, health status data obtained in Round 3 of both Panel 16 and
Panel 17 are included in variables that have names ending in “31” and “53” respectively.
For persons in Panel 16, Round 3 extended from 2011 into 2012. Therefore, for
these people, some information from late 2011 is included for variables that
have names ending in “31”. For persons in Panel 17, Round 3 extended from 2012 into
2013. Therefore, for these people, some information from early 2013 is included
for variables that have names ending in “53”. Note that for most Panel 16
persons, the Round 5 reference period ends on December 31, 2012; however, the
Round 5 interview actually occurs in 2013. 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, 2012. 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 2013. Further,
health status questions asked in the Preventive Care (AP) section of CAPI in
Round 5 do not contain a similar explicit instruction that the reference period
ends on December 31, 2012, 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 2013.
Health status variables in this data release can be
classified into several conceptually distinct sets:
- IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) and ADL (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
IADL and ADL limitations were
measured in all rounds. Functional and activity limitations were measured in
Rounds 3 and 5 for Panel 16 and Rounds 1 and 3 for Panel 17. Vision, hearing,
and children’s health status were measured in Round 4 for Panel 16 and Round 2
for Panel 17. Preventive care was measured in
Round 5 of Panel 16 and Round 3 of Panel 17. The self-administered
questionnaire was distributed in Round 4 of Panel 16 and Round 2 of Panel 17.
The diabetes care supplement was distributed in Round 5 of Panel 16 and Round 3
of Panel 17.
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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.1 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,
and for the same persons, 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).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.2 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 code of “Inapplicable” (-1) for WLKLIM31 or WLKLIM53.
For Rounds 3 (Panel 16) and 1 (Panel 17), 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 = 23,
24, or 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 age 12 or younger 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 16) and 3 (Panel 17), the
corresponding filter question was WLKLIM53.
The series of questions for which WLKLIM53 served as a
filter is as follows:
LFTDIF53 – difficulty
lifting 10 pounds
STPDIF53 – difficulty
walking up 10 steps
WLKDIF53 – difficulty
walking 3 blocks
MILDIF53 – difficulty
walking a mile
STNDIF53 – difficulty
standing 20 minutes
BENDIF53 – difficulty
bending or stooping
RCHDIF53 – difficulty
reaching over head
FNGRDF53 – difficulty
using fingers to grasp
WLK3MO53 – 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.
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 16) or Round 1 (Panel 17), 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 persons
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 person had
limitations; if a person was limited in more than one of these three
activities, UNABLE31 did not specify if the person was completely unable
to perform all of them, or only some of them.
For Rounds 5 (Panel 16) or 3 (Panel 17) corresponding
variables were ACTLIM53, WRKLIM53, HSELIM53, SCHLIM53, and UNABLE53. Editing
conventions were the same as those described above.
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). Family members 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.3 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 RU members 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)) |
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.4 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 RU members 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)) |
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.5 Any
Limitation Rounds 3, 4, and 5 (Panel 16) / Rounds 1, 2, and 3 (Panel 17)
ANYLIM12
summarizes whether a person has any IADL, ADL, functional, activity, or sensory
limitations in any of the pertinent rounds. This variable was derived based on
data from Rounds 3, 4, and 5 (Panel 16) or Rounds 1, 2, and 3 (Panel 17).
ANYLIM12 was built using the component variables IADLHP31, IADLHP42, IADLHP53,
ADLHLP31, ADLHLP42, ADLHLP53, WLKLIM31, 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 ANYLIM12 was coded “Yes” (1). If all components were coded “No”,
then ANYLIM12 was coded “No” (2). If all the components were “Inapplicable” (‑1),
then ANYLIM12 was coded as “Inapplicable” (‑1). If all the components had
missing value codes (i.e., ‑7, ‑8, ‑9, or ‑1), ANYLIM12
was coded as “Not Ascertained” (‑9). If some components were “No” and
others had missing value codes, ANYLIM12 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 RU members, if all other components were “No”, then ANYLIM12 was coded as
“No” (2). The variable label for ANYLIM12 departs slightly from conventions.
Typically, variables that end in “12” refer only to 2012. However, some of the
variables used to construct ANYLIM12 were assessed in 2013, so some information
from early 2013 is incorporated into this variable.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.6 Child Health and
Preventive Care
Questions were asked about each child (under the age of 18,
excluding deceased children) in the applicable age subgroups to which they
pertained. For the Child Supplement variables, a code of “Inapplicable” (‑1)
was assigned if a person was deceased, was not in the appropriate Round 2 or 4,
or was not in the applicable age subgroup as of the interview date. This public use dataset contains variables
and frequency distributions from the child health and preventive care section
associated with 11,479 children who were eligible for the child health
and preventive care section. Children were eligible for this section when
PSTATS42 was not equal to 23, 24, 31 (Deceased) and 0 <= AGE42X <= 17. Of
these children, 10,420 were assigned a
positive person-level weight for 2012 (PERWT12P > 0). Cases not eligible for
the child health and preventive care section should be excluded from estimates
made with the child health and preventive care section. Questions in this
section that previously had been in the Parent Administered Questionnaire (PAQ)
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.
Five 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
Return To Table Of Contents
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)
coordinated 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 were 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
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
Return To Table Of Contents
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 were
asked in the 2000 PAQ. 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 needed (coded as “‑1 Inapplicable” when CHILCR42 = 2, ‑7, ‑8, or ‑9)
CHRTCR42 – whether any appointments were made
CHRTWW42 – how often a person got an appointment for health care as soon as was needed (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 health 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)
CHENEC42 – how often it was easy 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 (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
CHEYRE42 – how often it was easy to see a specialist (coded as “‑1 Inapplicable” when CHSPEC42 = 2, ‑7, ‑8, or ‑9)
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 (34%), all children 5 and
under were given a “‑1 Inapplicable” code for the variable CHBMIX42. CHBMIX42 is included in the 2012 file and on the above list. Please note:
analysts can have access to the height and weight variables and/or can 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/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 2012, 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
2012 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 2012.
CHBMIX42 is not top- or bottom-coded or edited.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.7 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 preventive care variables, along with their
applicable subgroup is as follows:
DENTCK53 – on average, frequency of dental check-up
Age > 1; both genders
BPCHEK53 – how long since last
blood pressure check
Age > 17; both genders
BPMONT53 – how many months since last blood pressure
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 ever advised the person to eat fewer high fat or high
cholesterol foods
Age > 17; both genders
EXRCIS53 – has a doctor 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
BSTST53 – when last blood stool test using the home kit
Age >39; both genders
BSTSRE53 – reason for blood stool test
Age >39; BSTST53 indicates person had a blood stool test
CLNTST53 – when last colonoscopy
Age >39; both genders
CLNTRE53 – reason for colonoscopy
Age >39; CLNTST53 indicates person had a colonoscopy
SGMTST53 – when last sigmoidoscopy
Age >39; both genders
SGMTRE53 – reason for sigmoidoscopy
Age >39; SGMTST53 indicates person had a sigmoidoscopy
PHYEXE53 – currently spends half hour or more in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least five 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.
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/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)
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. 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.
BMINDX53 is not top- or bottom-coded or edited.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.8 2012 Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ)
The 2012 Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ) is a
paper-and-pencil questionnaire fielded during Panel 16 Round 4 and Panel 17
Round 2 of the 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). These data and documentation of the data will be included only in the full year consolidated file (HC-155).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5.9 Diabetes Care Survey (DCS)
The Diabetes Care Survey (DCS) is a self-administered
paper-and-pencil questionnaire fielded during Panel 16, Round 5 and Panel 17,
Round 3. These data and documentation of the data will be included only in the full
year consolidated file (HC-155).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.6 Disability Days Indicator Variables (DDNWRK31-OTHNDD53)
The Disability Days (DD) 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 16, initiated in 2011, and Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of the
MEPS Panel 17, initiated in 2012. 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 (BEGRFD##, BEGRFM##, BEGRFY##, ENDRFD##, ENDRFM##,
and ENDRFY##). Analysts should be aware that Round 3 is conducted across years.
The disability days variables reflect only the data pertinent to the calendar
year (i.e., the current delivery year of 2012). In making these calculations,
responses obtained during the interview may cause constructed ‘days in bed’
variables (such as WKINBD or SCLINBD) to exceed ‘missed days’ variables (DDNWRK
or DDNSCL); consequently, for these cases, constructed ‘days in bed’ variables
were edited to ‘missed days’ value. There are 19 such cases in 2012. 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 person 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 person did
not work, these variables were coded ‑1 (Inapplicable). The analyst
should note that there are cases where EMPST## = 1 or 2 (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. Persons 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 person 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 person 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; persons
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 (BEGRFD##, BEGRFM##, BEGRFY##, ENDRFD##, 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. Persons 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 person 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.
Persons 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. Persons 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 a 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 2012 portion of Panel 16 Round 3 (i.e. any
missed work days reported here occurred in the 2011 portion of Panel 16 Round
3). For OTHDYS53, a value of ‘0’ indicates that the person missed no work
during the 2012 portion of Panel 17 Round 3 (i.e. any missed work days reported
here occurred in the 2013 portion of Panel 17 Round 3).
Editing was done on these variables to preserve the skip
patterns. No imputation was done for those with missing data.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7 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 16 Round 4 and Panel 17 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.1 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. >Because of 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.2 Family Members’ Origins and Preferred Languages
The AC section ascertains what language is most often
spoken at home (LANGHM42). All households eligible for the AC section were
asked whether all members of the household are comfortable conversing in
English (ENGCMF42). If not all persons in the household are comfortable conversing
in English, the AC section asks which persons are not comfortable conversing in
English (ENGSPK42).
Analysts 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.3 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.
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
10 = No Health Insurance
91 = Other Reason
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
NOHINS42 = No Health Insurance
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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.4 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. 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.
Provider Location
Two variables indicate the location of the provider. For
facility or 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
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
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).
Return To Table Of Contents
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
PLCTYP42 = 1
TYPEPE42 = 3
HSPLAP42 = 1
WHITPR42 = 1
BLCKPR42 = 2
ASIANP42 = 2
NATAMP42 = 2
PACISP42 = 2
OTHRCP42 = 2
GENDRP42 = 2
LOCATN42 = 1
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.5 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), ‘Walks’ (4), or ‘Some Other Way’ (5). 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 five ways: Does the USC
provider: usually ask about prescription medications and treatments other
doctors may give them (TREATM42), ask about and show respect for medical,
traditional, and alternative treatments that the person is happy with (RESPCT42),
ask the person to help make decisions between a choice of treatments (DECIDE42),
present and explain all options to the person (EXPLOP42), and speak the person’s
language or provide translator services (LANGPR42) if the person is
uncomfortable conversing in English (ENGSPK42 = 1).
Prior to 2003, all household members who shared a USC
provider and where at least one RU member with that USC provider had LANGHM42
(AC01 PERS LANGUAGE PRFERNCE AT HOME-R4/2) set to either 2 (SPANISH) or 3
(ANOTHER LANGUAGE) had LANGPR42 set. Starting in 2003, only those persons who
are not comfortable speaking English (ENGSPK42 (AC02A NOT COMFRTBLE SPEAKING
ENGLISH-R4/2) = 1) have LANGPR42 set.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.6 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.7 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 variable or category was suppressed in 2012.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.7.8 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. In 2009, No Health Insurance
was added as category 10 at AC07 and AC08 for the main reason and for another
reason why a person does not have a usual source of care. In order to
distinguish between category 10 selected within CAPI (No Health Insurance) and
category 10 in recoding (Other Insurance Related Reason), the recoding category
for Other Insurance Related Reason was updated to category 24. In order to
compare 2012 data with data previous to 2009, users can compare a combination
of the 2012 CAPI category 10 and recoding category 24 with the previous recoding
category 10.
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:
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
24 = Other Insurance Related Reason
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
NOHINS42 = No Health Insurance
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.)
Text responses at AC19 were not
coded as new responses or new variables.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.8 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 16 persons, the second number
representing the round for Panel 17 persons. For example, EMPST31 refers to
employment status on the Round 3 interview date for Panel 16 persons and
employment status on the Round 1 interview date for Panel 17 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 $75.76 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 (RJ)
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 16 persons or Round 2 interview date hourly wage for Panel 17
persons) is coded as “–2”, refer to HRWG31X (Round 3 interview date
hourly wage for Panel 16 persons or Round 1 interview date hourly wage for Panel
17 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 16 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 16 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 2011 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 2011 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.
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 2 (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.
Data Collection Round for Round 3/1 CMJ (RNDFLG31)
As mentioned above, for Panel 16, 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 16,
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 16 Round
3 or Panel 17 Round 1. For persons who are part of Panel 16, RNDFLG31 is also
set to “Inapplicable” (–1) if the person is out-of-scope in the 2012
portion of Round 3. For persons who are part of Panel 17, RNDFLG31 is also set
to “Inapplicable” (–1) if the person is out-of-scope in Round 1. For
persons who are part of Panel 16, other values for RNDFLG31 are set as follows:
1 = continuing Round 3 CMJs reported first in Round 1;
2 = continuing Round 3 CMJs reported first in Round 2;
3 = jobs newly reported as current main in Round 3;
-9 = 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
17 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.
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 a person’s 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 2012 Full-Year Jobs
PUF to obtain the reason for the wage change by linking on DUPERSID for the
appropriate round.
For all Panel 17
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 2012 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 $75.76. 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 2012
Jobs file. Because a person can have other jobs besides a current main job
which are included in the corresponding 2012 Full Year Jobs PUF, wages at these
other jobs were 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 2012 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. For
persons with a continuing job who did not have coverage in the current round,
the respondent is asked if the person was 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.
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.
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. Beginning in 2010, Census uses 2007 Census Industry and 2010 Census
Occupation Coding schemes instead of the 2003 versions used from FY2002 through
FY2009. Both coding schemes were developed for the Bureau’s Current Population
Survey and American Community Survey. Users should note that coding schemes are
comparable for the FY2002 through FY2009 data files. Earlier versions of Census
coding schemes were used on files 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 2007 Census industry and 2010 Census occupation codes were collapsed
into the condensed codes on the file, in both HTML and PDF formats. The schemes
used in this file can be linked directly to the 2007 North American Industry
Code System (NAICS) and the 2010 Standard Occupation Code scheme (SOC) by going
to the Bureau of the Census website where a variety of additional crosswalks is
also available www.census.gov/people/io/.
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 16 and Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of Panel 17 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 16
persons or the Round 3 interview date for Panel 17 persons (EVRETIRE). The
other indicates whether a person ever worked for pay as of the Round 5
interview date for Panel 16 persons or the Round 3 interview date for Panel 17
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 16 persons or
between the first and second rounds for Panel 17 persons (CHGJ3142) and between
the fourth and fifth rounds for Panel 16 persons or between the second and
third rounds for Panel 17 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:
1 = person
left previous round current main job and now has a new current main job;
2 = 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);
3 = person
left previous round’s current main job and does not have a new job;
4 = 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
2.5.9 Health
Insurance Variables(TRIJA12X-RTPLNT42)
2.5.9.1 Monthly Health Insurance Indicators (TRIJA12X-INSDE12X)
Constructed
and edited variables are provided that indicate any coverage in each month of 2012
for the sources of health insurance coverage collected during the MEPS
interviews (Panel 16, Rounds 3 through 5 and Panel 17, 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 (TRIJA12X – TRIDE12X) 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 (STAJA12– STADE12) was also identified but is not considered health insurance for the purpose of this survey.
Medicare
Medicare
(MCRJA12 – MCRDE12) coverage was edited (MCRJA12X – MCRDE12X) 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.
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 the
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 the recipient paid anything for the coverage and/or
if a government source paid for the coverage.
The
Medicaid/SCHIP variables (MCDJA12– MCDDE12) have been edited (MCDJA12X – MCDDE12X) 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 (OPAJA12 – OPADE12); and
- The respondent did not report any managed care,
Other Public B Insurance (OPBJA12 – OPBDE12).
The
variables OPAJA12 – OPADE12 and OPBJA12 – OPBDE12 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 (PUBJA12X – PUBDE12X). 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 (STAJA12 – STADE12), for example, the Maryland
Kidney Disease Program, were not considered to have public coverage when
constructing the variables PUBJA12X – PUBDE12X.
Private Insurance
Variables
identifying private insurance in general (PRIJA12 – PRIDE12) and specific
private insurance sources [such as employer/union group insurance (PEGJA12 – PEGDE12); non-group (PNGJA12 – PNGDE12); and other group (POGJA12 – POGDE12)] were constructed. Private insurance sources identify coverage
in effect at any time during each month of 2012. Separate variables identify
covered persons and policyholders (policyholder variables begin with the letter
“H”, e.g., HPEJA12 – HPEDE12). 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 (PDKJA12 – PDKDE12). Covered persons (but not policyholders)
are identified when the policyholder is living outside the RU (POUJA12 – POUDE12). 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 (PEGJA12 – PEGDE12, PRSJA12 – PRSDE12) 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 (PEGJA12 – PEGDE12)
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 (PRSJA12 – PRSDE12) was initially reported in the employment section
and verified in the health insurance section. Unlike the other
employment-related variables (PEGJA12 – PEGDE12), self-employed-firm size
1 (PRSJA12 – PRSDE12) health insurance could not be reported in the health
insurance section for the first time. The variables PRSJA12 – PRSDE12
have been constructed to allow users to determine if the insurance should be
considered employment-related.
Private
insurance that was not employment-related (POGJA12 – POGDE12, PNGJA12 – PNGDE12, PDKJA12 – PDKDE12 and POUJA12 – POUDE12) was
reported in the health insurance section only.
Beginning
in Panel 12 Round 2, the response category “Health Insurance Purchasing
Alliance” was removed from HX03 (EPRS.PURCHTYP=4) and HX23 (EPRS.PRIVINS=2)
because it was infrequently reported and it was not clear how respondents were
using this category.
Beginning
in Panel 14 Round 5/Panel 15 Round 3, “High Risk Pool” was added to the list of
categories at HX03 (EPRS.PURCHTYP=10) and HX23 (EPRS.PRIVINS=13). Beginning FY
2010, High Risk Pool was included in all Other Group insurance categories.
Any Insurance in Month
The
file also includes summary measures that indicate whether or not a person has
any insurance in a month (INSJA12X – INSDE12X). 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
(STAJA12 – STADE12), 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 INSJA12X – INSDE12X.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.2 Summary Insurance Coverage Indicators (PRVEV12 - INSURC12)
The
variables PRVEV12-UNINS12 summarize health insurance coverage for the person in
2012 for the following types of insurance: private (PRVEV12); TRICARE (TRIEV12);
Medicaid or SCHIP (MCDEV12); Medicare (MCREV12); other public A (OPAEV12);
other public B (OPBEV12). 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 2012. A value of 2 indicates that the person was not
covered for a given type of insurance for all of 2012. The variable UNINS12
summarizes PRVEV12-OPBEV12. Where PRVEV12-OPBEV12 are all equal to 2, then
UNINS12 equals 1; person was uninsured for all of 2012. Otherwise, UNINS12 is
set to 2, not uninsured for some portion of 2012. 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 INSCOV12 that
summarizes health insurance coverage for the person in 2012, with the following
three values:
1 = ANY PRIVATE (Person had any private
insurance coverage [including TRICARE/CHAMPVA] any time during 2012)
2 = PUBLIC ONLY (Person had only public
insurance coverage during 2012)
3 = UNINSURED (Person was uninsured during
all of 2012)
4 = INSURC12 summarizes health insurance coverage for the person in 2012 using eight categories of insurance separated by age:
1 = ANY PRIVATE (0-64) (Person is between 0
and 64 years old and is covered by private insurance or TRICARE/CHAMPVA in 2012)
2 = PUBLIC ONLY (0-64) (Person is between 0
and 64 years old and is covered by public insurance only (excluding
TRICARE/CHAMPVA) in 2012)
3 = UNINSURED (0-64) (Person is between 0 and
64 years old and is uninsured for all of 2012)
4 = EDITED MEDICARE ONLY (65+) (Person is 65
years old or more and is covered by edited Medicare only in 2012)
5 = EDITED MEDICARE & PRIV (65+) (Person
is 65 years old or more and is covered by edited Medicare and (private insurance
or TRICARE/CHAMPVA) in 2012)
6 = EDITED MEDICARE & OTH PUB ONLY (65+)
(Person is 65 years old or more and is covered by edited Medicare and (edited
Medicaid/SCHIP, Other Government (type A) or Other Government (type B)) in 2012)
7 = UNINSURED (65+) (Person is 65 years old
or more and is uninsured for all of 2012)
8 =
NO MEDICARE BUT ANY PUBLIC/PRIVATE (65+) (Person is 65 years old or more and is
not covered by Medicare but is covered by private insurance or Medicaid,
TRICARE/CHAMPVA, Other Public A, or Other Public B in 2012)
Please
note, beginning in 2012, Category 7 was revised to categorize persons who are
65 yrs. or older and uninsured, and Category 8 was added to include persons 65
years or older who do not have Medicare, but are covered by public or private
insurance.
Please
note that both INSCOV12 and INSURC12 categorize 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 PRVEV12 and TRIEV12
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 INSCOV12 and
INSURC12.
Finally,
note that out-of-scope persons are coded “2” (No) for PRVEV12-INSCOV12. For all
other health insurance variables in this data release, including INSURC12, out-of-scope
persons are coded “‑1” (Inapplicable).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.3 FY 2012 PUF Managed Care Variables (TRIST31X-PRDRNP12)
In
addition to the month-by-month indicators of coverage, there are 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 2012 are based on responses to health
insurance questions asked during the Round 3, 4, and 5 interviews of Panel 16,
and the Round 1, 2, and 3 interviews of Panel 17. Each variable ends in “xy”
where x and y denote the interview round for Panel 16 and Panel 17,
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 16 have been restricted to the year 2012
portion of the reference period. Similarly, the Panel 16, Round 5 and Panel 17,
Round 3 interviews have been restricted to the year 2012 portion of these
reference periods, and the corresponding managed care variables have been given
the suffix “12” (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 person
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 person changed
his or her establishment-related insurance, the managed care variables describe
the characteristics of the last plan held through the establishment.
Third,
the “12” versions of the managed care variables for Panel 17 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 PRVHMO31/42/12 and PRVMNC31/42/12 indicate coverage by a private HMO
or gatekeeper plan in Panel 17, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 16, Rounds 3 - 5. The
variables PRVDRL31/42/12 indicate coverage by a private insurance source that
has a book or list of doctors in Panel 17, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 16, Rounds 3
- 5. The variables PRDRNP31/42/12 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 17, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 16, Rounds 3 - 5. The variables
PHMONP31/42/12 indicate coverage by at least one private insurance source
through an HMO that pays for visits to non-plan doctors in Panel 17, Rounds 1 -
3, and Panel 16, Rounds 3 - 5. Finally, the variables PMNCNP31/42/12 indicate
coverage by at least one private insurance source through a Gatekeeper Plan
that pays for visits to non-plan doctors in Panel 17, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 16,
Rounds 3 - 5. The variables MCRPHO31/42/12 indicate coverage by a Medicare
managed care plan in Panel 17, Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 16, Rounds 3 - 5. The
variables MCRPD31/42/12 indicate coverage by Medicare
prescription drug benefit, also known as Part D, in Panel 17, Rounds 1 - 3, and
Panel 16, Rounds 3 - 5. The edited version of the Medicare prescription drug
coverage variables (MCRPD31/42/12X) include persons who are covered by both
edited Medicare and edited Medicaid. The variables MCDHMO31/42/12 and MCDMC31/42/12
indicate coverage by a Medicaid or SCHIP HMO or managed care plan in Panel 17,
Rounds 1 - 3, and Panel 16, Rounds 3 - 5. For Panel 17, the “31” version
indicates coverage at any time in Round 1, the “42” version indicates coverage
at any time in Round 2, and the “12” version represents coverage at any time
during the 2012 portion of Round 3. For Panel 16, the “31” version indicates
coverage at any time during the 2012 portion of Round 3, the “42” version
indicates coverage at any time in Round 4, and the “12” version represents
coverage at any time during Round 5 (because Round 5 ends on 12/31/12).
In
the health insurance section of the questionnaire, respondents reporting
private health insurance were asked to identify what types of coverage a person
had via a checklist. If the respondent 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.
TRICARE Plan Variables
Round
specific variables are provided that indicate which TRICARE plan the person was
covered by for each round of 2012. These variables indicate whether the person
was covered by TRICARE Standard (TRIST31/42/12X), TRICARE Prime (TRIPR31/42/12X),
TRICARE Extra (TRIEX31/42/12X), and TRICARE for Life (TRILI31/42/12X). Beginning
in 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
TRICH42/12X 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:
1 = The person was covered by the applicable TRICARE plan [Standard, Prime, Extra, For Life, or CHAMPVA].
2 = The
person was covered by TRICARE, but it was not through that particular plan
[Standard, Prime, Extra, For Life, or CHAMPVA].
3 = The
person was not covered by TRICARE.
-9 = The
person was covered by TRICARE but the plan type was not ascertained.
-1 = The
person was out-of-scope.
Medicare
Managed Care Plans, Part B, 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. For this group coverage
through a managed care plan, Part B, 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,
Part B, 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,
Part B, and prescription drug benefit questions were asked. Medicare
managed care plan and prescription drug benefit questions were asked for each
round a person indicates Medicare coverage. Medicare Part B questions were
asked during the first report of Medicare only. The Medicare Part B indicator
for those persons who indicated not having a Medicare card available was
introduced for Panel 17 Round 2 and Panel 16 Round 4. For those persons who
reported having Medicare coverage in Round 1, but did not have a Medicare card
available, Medicare Part B coverage was set to not ascertained (-9).
The
Medicare prescription drug benefit variables (MCRPD31/42/12) have been edited
(MCRPD31/42/12X) 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 MCRPHO12 have five possible
values:
1 = The
person was covered by Medicare and covered through a Medicare Managed Care Plan.
2 = The person was covered by Medicare but not covered through a Medicare Managed Care Plan.
3 = The person was not covered by Medicare.
-9 = 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.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
In each round, the variables MCRPD31(X), MCRPD42(X), and MCRPD12(X) have five possible values:
1 = The
person was covered by Medicare and covered by prescription drug benefit.
2 = The person was covered by Medicare but not covered by prescription drug benefit.
3 = The person was not covered by Medicare.
9 = The person was covered by Medicare but prescription drug benefit coverage is refused, don’t know, or not ascertained.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
In each round, the variables MCRPB31, MCRPB42, and MCRPB12 have five possible values:
1 = The
person was covered by Medicare and covered by Part B.
2 = The
person was covered by Medicare but not covered by Part B.
3 = The person was not covered by Medicare.
-9 = The person was covered by Medicare but Part B is refused, don’t know, or not ascertained.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
Return To Table Of Contents
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. These
persons indicated coverage through an Other Government program that was
identified as being in a Medicaid HMO or gatekeeper plan that did not require
premium payment from the insured party. By definition, respondents were asked
about the managed care characteristics of this insurance coverage.
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 MCDHMO12
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, for persons who had been previously identified as covered by
Medicaid, the respondent was asked whether the name of the person’s 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 MCDHMO12 have five possible values:
1 = The person was covered by a Medicaid/SCHIP HMO.
2 = The person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP but the plan was not an HMO.
3 = The person was not covered by Medicaid/SCHIP.
-9 = The person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP but the plan type was not ascertained.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
Medicaid/SCHIP
Gatekeeper Plans
If a
person 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 MCDMC12 were set to “Yes” if the respondent 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 they were referred to.
In
each round, the variables MCDMC31, MCDMC42, and MCDMC12 have five possible
values:
1 = The
person was covered by a Medicaid/SCHIP gatekeeper plan.
2 = The
person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP, but it was not a gatekeeper plan.
3 = The person was not covered by Medicaid/SCHIP.
-9 = The
person was covered by Medicaid/SCHIP but the plan type was not ascertained.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
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 PRVHMO12 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 PRVHMO12 have five possible values:
1 = The person was covered by a private HMO.
2 = The person was covered by private insurance, but it was not an HMO.
3 = The person was not covered by private insurance.
-9 = The person was covered by private insurance, but the plan type was not ascertained.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
Private Gatekeeper Plans
If
the respondent did not report that a person belonged 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 respondent 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 PRVMNC12 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 PRVMNC12 have five possible values:
1 = The person was covered by a private gatekeeper plan.
2 = The
person was covered by private insurance, but it was not a gatekeeper plan.
3 = The person was not covered by private insurance.
-9 = The
person was covered by private insurance, but the plan type was not ascertained.
-1 = The person was out-of-scope.
Private Plan that has a Book or List of Doctors
If
the respondent did not report that a person belonged 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 respondent 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 PRVDRL12 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 PRVDRL12 have five possible values:
1 = The
person was covered by a private insurance plan that has a book or list of
doctors.
2 = The person was covered by private insurance, but it did not have a book or list of doctors.
3 = The
person was not covered by private insurance.
-9 = The
person was covered by private insurance but the plan type was not ascertained.
-1 = 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 a person belonged 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 respondent
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 PHMONP12 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 PHMONP12 have four possible values:
1 = Person
was covered by at least one private insurance source through an HMO, and the
HMO pays for visits to non-plan doctors.
2 = 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.
-9 = 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.
-1 = 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.
Private
Gatekeeper Plans that Pay for Visits to Non-Plan Doctors
If
the respondent reported that a person belonged 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 respondent 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 PMNCNP12 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 PMNCNP12 have four
possible values:
1 = Person was covered by at least one private insurance source through a Gatekeeper Plan, and the plan pays for visits to non-plan doctors.
2=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.
-9 = 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.
-1 = 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
Private
Plan that has a Book or List of Doctors that Pays for Non-Plan Visits
If
the respondent reported that a person belonged 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 respondent
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 PRDRNP12 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 or 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
PRDRNP12 have four possible values:
1 = 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.
2 = 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.
-9 = 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.
-1 = 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.4 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAGT31-FSAAMT31)
Beginning
in 2011, questions on Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) were asked. Respondents
in Round 1 or Round 3 were asked if any RU members set aside pre-tax dollars of
their own money to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses. If an RU has an
FSA, then FSAGT31 was set to 1 (Yes) and follow-up questions ascertained who
has an FSA (HASFSA31) and the amount of the FSA (FSAAMT31). When an RU has an
FSA, HASFSA31 is set for each RU member to indicate which RU member has an FSA.
FSAAMT31 is asked at the RU level and collects the total amount contributed to
all FSAs belonging to an RU. If no RU member has an FSA, then both HASFSA31 and
FSAAMT31 are set to -1 (Inapplicable).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.5 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 was 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, 2011 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 fewer
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 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.6 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, 2012. Note that for persons 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 16 members.
The
health insurance variables are constructed for the sources of health insurance
coverage collected during the MEPS interviews (Panel 16, Rounds 3 through 5 and
Panel 17, 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.
Medicare
Medicare
coverage variables (MCARE31, MCARE42, MCARE53 and MCARE12) and the edited
versions of these variables (MCARE31X, MCARE42X, MCARE53X and MCARE12X) were
constructed similarly to the month-by-month Medicare variables.
Medicaid/SCHIP and Other Public Hospital/Physician Coverage
Medicaid/SCHIP
variables (MCAID31, MCAID42, MCAID53, MCAID12) and the edited versions of these
variables (MCAID31X, MCAID42X, MCAID53X, MCAID12X, MCDAT31X, MCDAT42X,
MCDAT53X, MCDAT12X) were constructed similarly to the month-by-month
Medicaid/SCHIP variables.
Other
Public A variables (OTPUBA31, OTPUBA42, OTPUBA53, OTPUBA12; and OTPAAT31,
OTPAAT42, OTPAAT53, OTPAAT12) were constructed similarly to the month-by-month
Other Public variables.
Any Public Insurance
Any
public insurance variables (PUB31X, PUB42X, PUB53X, PUB12X, PUBAT31X, PUBAT42X,
PUBAT53X, and PUBAT12X) and state-specific programs that provide
non-comprehensive coverage variables (STAPR31, STAPR42, STAPR53, STAPR12,
STPRAT31, STPRAT42, STPRAT53, and STPRAT12) 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, PRIV12,
PRIVAT31, PRIVAT42, PRIVAT53, PRIVAT12) and specific private insurance sources
(such as employer/union group insurance [PRIEU31, PRIEU42, PRIEU53, PRIEU12];
coverage through a job classified as self-employed with firm size of 1 [PRIS31,
PRIS42, PRIS53, PRIS12]; non-group coverage [PRING31, PRING42, PRING53, PRING12];
other group coverage [PRIOG31, PRIOG42, PRIOG53, PRIOG12], coverage through an
unknown private category [PRIDK31, PRIDK42, PRIDK53, PRIDK12]; and coverage
from a policyholder living outside the RU [PROUT31, PROUT42, PROUT53, PROUT12])
were constructed similarly to the month-by-month variables in Section 2.5.9.1.
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.
Any Insurance in Period
Any
insurance variables (INS31X, INS42X, INS53X, INS12X, INSAT31X, INSAT42X,
INSAT53X, and INSAT12X) and state-specific programs that provide
non-comprehensive coverage variables (STAPR31, STAPR42, STAPR53, STAPR12,
STPRAT31, STPRAT42, STPRAT53, and STPRAT12) 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 2012.
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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.7 Dental and Prescription Drug Private Insurance Variables (DENTIN31-PMDINS12)
Dental Private Insurance Variables
Round
specific variables (DENTIN31/42/53) are provided that indicate the person was
covered by a private health insurance plan that included at least some dental
coverage for each round of 2012. 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. Persons with reported dental coverage from at least
one reported private plan were coded as having private dental coverage.
DENTIN53
reflects coverage for all of Panel 17 Round 3 where the end reference year
could extend into 2013. DENTIN31 for Panel 16 Round 3 reflects coverage in 2011
and 2012 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 (DNTINS31/12).
Prescription Drug Private Insurance Variables
Round
specific variables (PMEDIN31/42/53) are provided that indicate the person was
covered by a private health insurance plan that included at least some
prescription drug insurance coverage for each round of 2012. 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.
Persons with 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 17 Round 3 where the end reference year
could extend into 2013. PMEDIN31 for Panel 16 Round 3 reflects coverage in 2011
and 2012 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 (PMDINS31/12).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.8 Prescription
Drug Usual Third Party Payer Variables (PMEDUP31-PMEDPP53)
Round specific variables are provided that indicate
whether the sample member had a usual third party payer for prescription
medications (PMEDUP31, PMEDUP42, PMEDUP53), and if so, what type of payer
(PMEDPY31, PMEDPY42, PMEDPY53). 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/CHAMPVA, Tricare, State/Local Government, and Other.
Users should note that these questions were asked in the Charge and Payment (CP)
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.
The
respondent was also asked how much the sample member paid out-of-pocket for his
or her last prescription obtained in the round (PMEDPP31, PMEDPP42, PMEDPP53). These
variables are coded as inapplicable for people with no prescription medication
in the round. Prior to 2009, these variables were named PMEDOP31, PMEDOP42, and
PMEDOP53, and were asked only if the sample member had a third party payer. The
responses, in PMEDPP31, PMEDPP42, PMEDPP53, 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, in the past for sample members whose number of
prescriptions reported by both the household and the pharmacy matched, 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.9.9 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 of care 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 2012 Person Round Plan file, PUF HC‑153.
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.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10 Person-Level
Medical Utilization Variables (OBTOTV12 – HHINFD12)
The
MEPS Household Component (HC) collects data in each round on use 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 16 (excluding 2011 events covered in Round 3) and across Rounds 1 – 3 for Panel 17 (excluding 2013 events covered in Round 3) to produce
the annual utilization counts for 2012. This file contains utilization
variables for several categories of health care services. In general, there is
one utilization 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. (Expenditure variables are not included on this file
and will be provided in the forthcoming full year consolidated file.)
The
following sections summarize definitional, conceptual, and analytic
considerations when using the utilization variables in this file. Separate
discussions are provided for each MEPS medical service category.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10.1 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 2012 (OBTOTV12) as well as the
number of such visits to physicians (OBDRV12) and non-physician providers
(OBOTHV12) are contained in this file. For a small proportion of sample persons,
the sum of the physician and non-physician visit variables (OBDRV12 + OBOTHV12)
is less than the total number of office-based visits variable (OBTOTV12)
because OBTOTV12 contains visits where it was not reported in the HC whether a
physician or non-physician provider was seen.
Non-physician
visits (OBOTHV12) 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
non-physician providers including chiropractors (OBCHIR12), nurses/nurse
practitioners (OBNURS12), optometrists (OBOPTO12), physician assistants (OBASST12),
and physical or occupational therapists (OBTHER12).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10.2 Hospital Events
Separate
utilization variables for hospital care are provided for each type of setting
(outpatient department, emergency room, and inpatient stays).
Hospital Outpatient Visits
Variables
for the total number of reported visits to hospital outpatient departments in
2012 (OPTOTV12) as well as the number of outpatient department visits to
physicians (OPDRV12) and non-physician providers (OPOTHV12) are contained in
this file. For a small proportion of sample persons, the sum of the physician
and non-physician visit variables (OPDRV12 + OPOTHV12) is less than the total
number of outpatient visits variable (OPTOTV12) because OPTOTV12 contains
visits where it was not reported whether a physician or non-physician provider was
seen.
Hospital Emergency Room Visits
The
variable ERTOT12 represents a count of all emergency room visits reported for
the survey year.
Hospital Inpatient Stays
Two
measures of total inpatient utilization are provided on the file:
- IPDIS12 is the total number of hospital
discharges. It 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).
- IPNGT12 is the unimputed total number of nights
spent in a hospital by a person for all stays that end in 2012. The imputed
version will be on the forthcoming
2012 full year consolidated file, as IPNGTD12 .
Data
used to construct the inpatient utilization 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.
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 variables.
Some
analysts may prefer to exclude “zero night stays” from inpatient analyses
and/or count these stays as ambulatory visits. Therefore, a separate variable is
provided that contains a count of the number of inpatient events where the
reported dates of admission and discharge were the same (IPZERO12). This
variable can be subtracted from IPDIS12 to exclude “zero night stays” from
inpatient utilization estimates.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10.3 Dental Care Visits
The
total number of dental care visits variable (DVTOT12) 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 (DVGEN12) and to orthodontists (DVORTH12).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.10.4 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 2012 where home health care was received from the following: from any
type of paid or unpaid caregiver (HHTD_R12), from agencies, hospitals, or
nursing homes (HHAD_R12), from self-employed persons (HHINDD12), and from
unpaid informal caregivers not living with the sample person (HHINFD12). 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
two different days, then the number of provider days would equal two. The
number of provider days would also equal two if a person received care from two
different providers on the same day. However, if a person received care from
one provider two times on 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.
HHTD_Ryy and HHAD_Ryy are the reported household component counts of the total number
of provider days where home health care was received from any type of paid or unpaid
caregiver, and from agencies, hospitals, or nursing homes, respectively. These
counts may include duplicate providers as reported. The de-duplicated versions
of these variables, HHTOTD12 and HHAGD12, will be available on the 2012 full
year consolidated file.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.11 Changes in Variable List
Following is a list of changes to the
variable list for the 2012 full-year data file.
Added
- RACEVER
- RACEV1X
- RACETHX
- CAGALLBL
- GLBLAGED
- GLBLREMS
Deleted
Return To Table Of Contents
2.6 Linking to Other Files
2.6.1 Event and Condition Files
Records
on this file can be linked to 2012 MEPS-HC public use event and conditions
files by the sample person identifier (DUPERSID). The Panel 16 cases on this
file (PANEL=16) can also be linked back to the 2011 MEPS-HC public use event
and condition files.
Return To Table Of Contents
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/data_stats/more_info_download_data_files.jsp.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.6.3 Longitudinal Analysis
Panel-specific
longitudinal files are available for downloading in the data section of the
MEPS Web site. For each panel, the longitudinal file comprises MEPS survey data
obtained in Rounds 1 through 5 of the panel and can be used to analyze changes
over a two-year period. Variables in the file pertaining to survey
administration, demographics, employment, health status, disability days,
quality of care, patient satisfaction, health insurance, and medical care use
and expenditures were obtained from the MEPS full-year Consolidated files from
the two years covered by that panel.
For more details or to download the data
files, please see Longitudinal Weight Files at meps.ahrq.gov/data_stats/more_info_download_data_files.jsp.
Return To Table Of Contents
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 2012. The
data were collected in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 for MEPS Panel 17 and Rounds 3, 4,
and 5 for MEPS Panel 16. (Note that Round 3 for a MEPS panel is designed to
overlap two calendar years, as illustrated below.)
Variables convey the same information for
this full-year file as has been provided for the full-year files associated
with years 1996 – 2011 of MEPS.
The only utilization data that appear on
this file are those associated with health care events reported by MEPS
respondents and occurring in calendar year 2012. These
data were obtained from both MEPS panels for those rounds (or portions of
rounds) associated with calendar year 2012.
The Panel 16 sample design had one
unusual element. Panel 16 participants identified as having or having had
cancer were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. In order to
enhance the number of MEPS participants eligible to complete this
questionnaire, NHIS households eligible for MEPS were selected for MEPS if they
contained an NHIS respondent who had been randomly selected to complete the NHIS
“sampled adult” questionnaire and, in completing the questionnaire indicated
that he or she had some form of cancer.
A sample design feature shared by both
Panel 16 and Panel 17 involved the partitioning of the sample domain “Other” (used
for previous MEPS panels and which served as the catchall stratum, consisting
mainly of households with “White” members) into two sample domains: those
households characterized as “complete” respondents to the NHIS; and those
characterized as “partial completes.” NHIS “partial completes” typically have a
lower response rate to MEPS and for both MEPS panels the partial domain was sampled
at a lower rate than the “complete.” domain. This approach served to reduce
survey costs, since the “partials” tend to have higher costs in gaining survey
participation, but increased sample variability due to the resulting increased
variance in sampling rates.
Another feature of the Panel 16 sample
design involved a small experiment conducted in 11 PSUs where some of the
housholds who initially declined to participate in MEPS were subsampled with
those not selected being dropped from MEPS. The experiment was done to begin
the exploration of the trade-offs arising from the cost reduction due to a
reduced field load compared to the increase in variance due to the subsampling.
The experiment was focused primarily on learning about the complexities of
implementing such an effort as part of the MEPS data collection process across
the full five rounds of MEPS. After roughly 10 weeks of data collection in
these PSUs, those households characterized as “interim nonrespondents” and
eligible for participation in this experiment were sampled at a rate of 50
percent (some nonrespondents were not deemed eligible for this subsampling and
were worked as usual). Those “interim nonrespondents” that were sampled had
their contribution to the sample doubled (due to the 50 percent subsampling
rate) while those not sampled were dropped from MEPS entirely. Thus, the Panel
16 Round 1 response rates discussed in the next section will reflect counts
based on doubling the contribution of the subsampled “interim nonrespondents” and treating those “interim nonrespondents” not subsampled as if they had never been sampled for MEPS.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.1 References
There have been some published reports on
the MEPS sample design. For detailed information on the MEPS sample design 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 and Ezzati-Rice, T.M.,
Rohde, F., Greenblatt, J., (2008). 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. meps.ahrq.gov/data_files/publications/mr22/mr22.shtml.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.2 MEPS--Linked
to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
Each responding household found in this 2012
MEPS dataset is associated with one of two separate and overlapping MEPS panels,
MEPS Panel 16 and MEPS Panel 17. These panels consist of subsamples of
households participating in the 2010 and 2011 NHIS, respectively, and
reflecting the NHIS sample design first implemented in 2006.
Whenever there is a change in sample or
study design, it is good survey practice to assess whether such a change could
affect the sample estimates. For example, increased coverage of the target
populations with an updated sample design based on data from the latest Census
can improve the accuracy of the sample estimates. MEPS estimates have been and
will continue to be evaluated to determine if an important change in the survey
estimates might be associated with a change in design.
As background, 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. In the NHIS sample
design used since 2006, Asians are oversampled in addition to Hispanics and
Blacks. These features of the NHIS complex survey design carry over to the
MEPS. 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 affect the MEPS sample
design.)
The households (occupied DUs) selected for
MEPS Panel 16 were a subsample of the 2010 NHIS responding households, while
those in MEPS Panel 17 were a subsample of 2011 NHIS responding households. A
MEPS household may contain one or more family units, each consisting of one or
more individuals. Analyses using MEPS data can be undertaken using either the
individual or the family as the unit of analysis.
There were 10,180 households (occupied DUs)
selected for MEPS Panel 16, of which 10,162 were eligible for fielding (college
dormitories were eliminated). They were randomly selected from among the
households responding to the 2010 NHIS. A subsample of 9,700 households was randomly
selected for MEPS Panel 17 from the households responding to the 2011 NHIS, of
which 9,676 were fielded for MEPS after the elimination of college dorms.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.3 Sample
Weights and Variance Estimation
In the dataset “MEPS HC-149: 2012 Full Year
Population Characteristics,” weight variables are provided for generating MEPS
estimates of totals, means, percentages, and rates for persons and families in
the civilian noninstitutionalized population. 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. This was the case for both MEPS Panel 16 and Panel 17.
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). Note that all response rates discussed here are unweighted.
Table 3.1. Sample Size and Unweighted Response Rates for 2012 Full Year File (Panel 17 Rounds 1-3/Panel 16, Rounds 3-5)
| |
Panel 16 |
Panel 17 |
2012 Combined |
| A. Percentage of NHIS households designated for use in MEPS (those initially characterized as responding)* |
80.6% |
82.9% |
|
| B. Number
of households sampled from the NHIS |
10,180 |
9,700 |
|
| C. Number
of Households sampled from the NHIS and fielded for MEPS |
10,162 |
9,676 |
|
| D. Round
1 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
10,940** |
10,386 |
|
| E. Round
1 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
8,553** |
8,121 |
|
| F. Round
2 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
8,821** |
8,359 |
|
| G. Round
2 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
8,349** |
7,874 |
|
| H. Round
3 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
8,574** |
8,049 |
|
| I. Round
3 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
8,237** |
7,662 |
|
| J. Round
4 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
8,391** |
|
|
| K. Round
4 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
8,162** |
|
|
| L. Round
5 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
8,198** |
|
|
| M. Round
5 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
7,998** |
|
|
Overall annual unweighted response rates
P17: A x (E/D) x (G/F) x (I/H)
P16: A x (E/D) x (G/F) x (I/H) x (K/J) x (M/L)
Combined: 0.49 x P16+ 0.51 x P17 |
54.4%
(Panel 16
through
Round 5) |
58.1%
(Panel 17
through
Round 3) |
56.3% |
*Among the panels and quarters of the NHIS allocated to MEPS, the percentage of households that were considered to be NHIS respondents at the time the MEPS sample was selected
**Counts reflect doubled contributions from sampled “interim nonrespondents”
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.1 Response Rates
In order to produce annual health care
estimates for calendar year 2012 based on the full MEPS sample data from the
MEPS Panel 16 and Panel 17, the two panels are combined. More specifically,
full calendar year 2012 data collected in Rounds 3 through 5 for the MEPS Panel
16 sample are pooled with data from the first three rounds of data collection
for the MEPS Panel 17 sample (the general approach is described below).
As mentioned above, all response rates
discussed here are unweighted. 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 the formation of student RUs as well as other new
RUs created when RU members from a previous round have moved to another
location in the U.S. Thus, the number of RUs eligible for MEPS interviewing in
a given round is 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 16, Round 2 the ratio of 8,349 (Row G) to 8,821 (Row F) multiplied by 100 represents
the response rate for the round (94.6 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 1 produces the overall
response rate through the last MEPS round specified.
The overall unweighted response rate for the
combined sample of Panel 16 and Panel 17 for 2012 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 17 represents about 51
percent of the combined sample size while Panel 16 represents the remaining 49
percent. Thus, the combined response rate of 56.3 percent was computed as 0.51
times 58.1, the overall Panel 17 response rate through Round 3 plus 0.49
times 54.4, the overall Panel 16 response rate through Round 5.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.2 Panel 17 Response Rates
For MEPS Panel 17 Round 1, 9,676 households
were fielded in 2012 (Row C of Table 3.1), a randomly selected subsample of the
households responding to the 2011 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Table 3.1 shows the number of RUs eligible
for interviewing in each Round of Panel 17 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 >82.9 (the percentage of the NHIS sampled households designated
for use in selecting a sample of households for MEPS) yields an overall
response rate of 58.1 percent for Panel 17 through Round 3.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.3 Panel 16 Response Rates
For MEPS Panel 16, 10,162 households were
fielded in 2012 (as indicated in Row C of Table 3.1), a randomly selected subsample
of the households responding to the 2010 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 16. The overall response rate for Panel 16 was computed in a similar
fashion to that of Panel 17 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 16 through Round 5 is 54.4
percent.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.4 Annual Combined Panel Response Rate
A combined panel 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 16 response rate was weighted by a
factor of 0.49 and Panel 17 was weighted by a factor of 0.51, reflecting
approximately the distribution of the overall sample between the two panels.
The resulting combined response rate for the combined panels was computed as (0.49
x 54.4) plus (0.51 x 58.1) or 56.3 percent (as shown in Table 3.1).
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.5 Oversampling
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 average oversampling rates
for the three minority groups have not yet been reported.
For both Panel 16 and
Panel 17, all households in the Asian, Hispanic, and Black domains were sampled
with certainty (i.e., all households assigned to those domains were included in
the MEPS). For Panel 16, the “Other, complete” domain was sampled at a rate of
about 79 percent while the “Other, partial complete” domain was sampled at a
rate of about 46 percent. For Panel 17, the corresponding sampling rates for
the “Other, complete” domain and the “Other, partial complete” domain were
about 51 percent and 40 percent, respectively.
Within
strata (domains) for both panels, responding NHIS households were selected for
MEPS using a systematic sample selection procedure from among those eligible.
For the “non-Other" strata, households were all selected with certainty. Within
strata involving “Others” (two strata for both panels), the selection was with
probability proportionate to size (pps) where the size measure was the inverse
of the NHIS initial probability of selection. The pps sampling was undertaken
to help reduce the variability in the MEPS weights incurred due to the
variability of the NHIS sampling rates. With the subsampling, households that
were oversampled for MEPS in calendar year 2012 were those responding
households in the NHIS identified as having members with cancer for Panel 16, or
whose race/ethnicity was Hispanic, Black, or Asian for both panels. Again, note
that not all NHIS households where a member had cancer were identified as such – the member with cancer had to have been randomly selected to complete
the NHIS “sampled adult” questionnaire and to have self-identified as having
cancer in response to questions from that questionnaire.
Typically,
sample allocations across sample domains change from one MEPS panel to another.
The sample domains used may also vary by panel as was the case for Panel 16 and
Panel 17. When one compares unweighted measures (e.g., response rates) between
panels and years, one should take into account such differences. If, for
example, members of one domain have a lower propensity to respond than those of
another domain, then if that domain has been allocated a higher proportion of
the sample, the corresponding panel may have a lower unweighted response rate
simply because of the differences in sample allocation.
Within each domain (sample 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 Release
3.3.1 Overview
There is a single full year person-level
weight variable called PERWT12P. 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 record for each key, in-scope
person who responded to MEPS for the full period of time that he or she was in-scope
during 2012. A key person was either a member of a responding NHIS household at
the time of interview or joined a family associated with such a household after
being out-of-scope at the time of the NHIS (the latter circumstance includes
newborns as well as those returning from military service, an institution, or
residence in a foreign country). A person is in-scope whenever he or she is a
member of the civilian, noninstitutionalized portion of the U.S. population.
Return To Table Of Contents
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 2012 and for the slightly smaller population of persons in the
civilian, noninstitutionalized population on December 31, 2012. To obtain a
cross-sectional (point-in-time) estimate for in-scope persons living in the
country on December 31, 2012, the analysis should be restricted to cases where
INSC1231=1 (the person is in-scope on December 31, 2012). The weight variable
PERWT12P 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 2012 |
PERWT12P>0 |
37,182 |
| Civilian, Noninstitutionalized Population
on December 31, 2012 |
PERWT12P>0 and INSC1231=1 |
36,804 |
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4 Details on Person-Level Weights Construction
3.4.1 Overview
The person-level weight PERWT12P was
developed in three stages. The person-level weight for Panel 16 was created,
including both an adjustment for nonresponse over time and raking. The raking
involved controlling to several sets of marginal control totals reflecting
Current Population Survey (CPS) population estimates based on five different
variables. The person-level weight for Panel 17 was
created, also including an adjustment for nonresponse over time and raking, where
the raking established consistency with CPS population estimates based on the
same five variables. A composite weight
was formed from the Panel 16 and Panel 17 weights by multiplying the panel
weights by factors corresponding to the relative sample size of the two panels.
Then a final raking was undertaken on this composite weight variable,
based on the same five variables used previously and education level (as reported in NHIS).
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.2 MEPS Panel 16 Weight Development Process
The person-level weight for MEPS Panel 16 was
developed using the 2011 full-year weight for an individual as a “base” weight
for survey participants present in 2011. For key, in-scope members who joined
an RU some time in 2012 after being out-of-scope in 2011, the initially
assigned person-level weight was the corresponding 2011 family weight. The
weighting process included an adjustment for person-level nonresponse over
Rounds 4 and 5 as well as raking to population control totals for December 2012
for key, responding persons in-scope on December 31, 2012. These control
totals were derived by scaling back the population distribution obtained from
the March 2012 CPS to reflect the December 31, 2012 estimated population total (estimated based on Census projections for
January 1, 2012).
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, non-Hispanic,
and other); sex; and age. (Poverty status is not included in this version of
the MEPS full year database because of the time required to process the income
data collected and then assign persons to a poverty status category.) The final
weight for key responding persons who were not in-scope on December 31, 2012
but were in-scope earlier in the year was the person weight after the
nonresponse adjustment.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.3 MEPS Panel 17 Weight Development Process
The person-level weight for MEPS Panel 17 was
developed using the 2012 MEPS Round 1 person-level weight as a “base” weight.
For key, in-scope members 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 2012 as well as
raking to the same population control figures for December 2012 used for the
MEPS Panel 16 weights for key, responding persons in-scope on December 31, 2012.
The same five variables employed for Panel 16 raking (census region, MSA
status, race/ethnicity, sex, and age) were also used for Panel 17 raking. Again
the final weight for key, responding persons not in-scope on December 31, 2012 but
in-scope earlier in the year was the person weight after nonresponse
adjustment.
Note that the MEPS Round 1 weights for both
panels incorporated the following components: a weight reflecting the original
household probability of selection for the NHIS and an adjustment for NHIS nonresponse;
a factor representing 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 survey
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 Final Non-Poverty Adjusted Weight for 2012
Variables used in the raking of the
person-level weights to control totals derived from CPS data included: census
region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West); MSA status (MSA, non-MSA);
race/ethnicity (Hispanic, Black but non-Hispanic, Asian, and other); education level (as reported in NHIS); sex; and
age. Persons included in the raking process were those in-scope on December 31,
2012. In addition, the weights of some persons out-of-scope on December 31, 2012
were poststratified. Specifically, the weights of persons out-of-scope on
December 31, 2012 that were in-scope sometime 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 in-scope during 2012 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.
Overall, the population estimate for the
civilian, noninstitutionalized population over the course of the year (PERWT12P>0)
is 313,489,853 (see Table 3.3). The estimated population total for those in-scope on December 31, 2012 (PERWT12P>0 and INSC1231=1) is >309,875,841.
Table 3.3. Persons with a person weight for the 2012 Full Year file
| |
Panel 16 |
Panel 17 |
Combined |
Population estimate
(weighted total of combined sample) |
| Number |
18,313 |
18,869 |
37,182 |
313,489,853 |
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.6 A Note on MEPS Population Estimates
Beginning with the 2011 Full Year data, MEPS
has transitioned to 2010 census-based population estimates from the CPS for
poststratification and raking. CPS estimates began reflecting 2010 census-based
data in 2012, and the March 2013 CPS data serves as the basis for the 2012 MEPS
weight calibration efforts. An article discussing the impact of this transition
on CPS estimates can be found at bls.gov/cps/cps12adj.pdf.
Use of the updated population controls will
have a noticeable effect on estimated totals for some population subgroups. The
article compares some 2011 CPS estimates for those aged 16 and older “as
published” with those that would have been generated had the updated population
controls been used. Among the more notable increases were for the following
subgroups: those aged 55 or older (about 1.3 million more, a 1.7 percent
increase); those aged 16-24 (about a half million more, a 1.4 percent
increase); Blacks (400 thousand more, a 1.4 percent increase); Hispanics (1.3
million more, a 3.8 percent increase); and Asians (1.2 million more, a 10
percent increase). Corresponding changes can be anticipated for MEPS full year
data beginning with the 2011 MEPS PUF.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4.7 Coverage
The target population associated with this
MEPS database is the 2012 U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population.
However, the MEPS sampled households are a subsample of the NHIS households
interviewed in 2010 (Panel 16) and 2011 (Panel 17). New households created
after the NHIS interviews for the respective panels and consisting exclusively
of persons who entered the target population after 2010 (Panel 16) or after 2011
(Panel 17) 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.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.5 No Family, SAQ, or DCS Weights on this Public Use File
Due to relatively limited opportunities for
family-level analysis with the data on this file, family weights are not
included on this file. However, family weights will be created for the Full
Year 2012 MEPS public use file where expenditure and income data are provided. To
maintain consistency in terms of file structure with the upcoming public use file
with expenditure and income data, records for those persons
who will have a positive family weight but not a positive person weight have
been placed on this public use. These records will be the only records without
a positive person weight appearing on this file.
In addition, the SAQ and DCS weights that
have appeared on the initial full year files in the past are not included in
this public use file. They will be included in the subsequent full year consolidated file.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.6 Variance Estimation
The 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 these MEPS data. Instead, the variables
needed to calculate appropriate standard errors based on the Taylor-series
linearization method are included on this and 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 year. However, beginning with the
2002 Point-in-Time PUF, the variance strata and PSUs were developed to be
compatible with all future PUFs 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
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.
From Panel 12 of the
2007 files, a new set of variance strata and PSUs were developed because of the
introduction of a new NHIS design. There are 165 variance strata with either
two or three variance estimation PSUs per stratum, starting from Panel 12.
Therefore, there are a total of 368 (203+165) variance strata in the 2007 Full
Year file as it consists of two panels that were selected under two independent
NHIS sample designs. Since both MEPS panels in the Full Year 2008 file and
beyond are based on the new NHIS design, there are only 165 variance strata. These
variance strata (VARSTR values) have been numbered from 1001 to 1165 so that
they can be readily distinguished from those developed under the former NHIS
sample design in the event that data are pooled for several years.
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
3.7 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. For example, as a result of improved
methods for collecting priority conditions data implemented in 2007, prevalence
measures prior to 2007 are not comparable to those from 2007 and beyond for
many conditions. Users should refer to section 2.5.4 above and the
documentation for the conditions file (HC-154) for details.
Looking at changes over longer periods of
time can provide a more complete picture of underlying trends. Analysts may wish to consider using techniques
to evaluate, smooth, or
stabilize analyses of trends using MEPS data such as comparing
pooled time periods (e.g. 1996-97 versus 2011-2012), 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. Without making appropriate allowance for
multiple comparisons, undertaking numerous statistical significance tests of
trends increases the likelihood of concluding that a change has taken place
when one has not.
Return To Table Of Contents
SURVEY ADMINISTRATION VARIABLES - PUBLIC USE
| 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 |
| FAMID12 |
Family ID (Student Merged In) – 12/31/12 |
CAPI Derived |
| FAMIDYR |
Annual Family Identifier |
Constructed |
| RULETR31 |
RU Letter – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
| RULETR42 |
RU Letter – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
| RULETR53 |
RU Letter – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
| RULETR12 |
RU Letter as of 12/31/12 |
CAPI Derived |
| RUSIZE31 |
RU Size – R3/1 |
CAPI Derived |
| RUSIZE42 |
RU Size – R4/2 |
CAPI Derived |
| RUSIZE53 |
RU Size – R5/3 |
CAPI Derived |
| RUSIZE12 |
RU Size as of 12/31/12 |
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 |
| RUCLAS12 |
RU fielded as: Standard/New/Stud-12/31/12 |
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 |
| FAMSZE12 |
RU Size Including Students as of 12/31/12 |
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 |
| REGION12 |
Census Region as of 12/31/12 |
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 |
| MSA12 |
MSA Status as of 12/31/12 |
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 |
| REFPRS12 |
Reference Person as of 12/31/12 |
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 |
| RESP12 |
1st Respondent Indicator as of 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PROXY12 |
Was Respondent a Proxy as of 12/31/12 |
RE 2 |
| INTVLANG |
Language Interview Was Completed |
RS02 |
| BEGRFD31 |
R3/1 Reference Period Begin Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFM31 |
R3/1 Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFY31 |
R3/1 Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFD31 |
R3/1 Reference Period End Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFM31 |
R3/1 Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFY31 |
R3/1 Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFD42 |
R4/2 Reference Period Begin Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFM42 |
R4/2 Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFY42 |
R4/2 Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFD42 |
R4/2 Reference Period End Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFM42 |
R4/2 Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFY42 |
R4/2 Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFD53 |
R5/3 Reference Period Begin Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFM53 |
R5/3 Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFY53 |
R5/3 Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFD53 |
R5/3 Reference Period End Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFM53 |
R5/3 Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFY53 |
R5/3 Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFD12 |
2012 Reference Period End Date: Day |
RE Section |
| ENDRFM12 |
2012 Reference Period End Date: Month |
RE Section |
| ENDRFY12 |
2012 Reference Period End Date: Year |
RE Section |
| KEYNESS |
Person Key Status |
RE Section |
| INSCOP31 |
In-scope – R3/1 |
RE Section |
| INSCOP42 |
In-scope – R4/2 |
RE Section |
| INSCOP53 |
In-scope – R5/3 |
RE Section |
| INSCOP12 |
In-scope – R5/3 Start through 12/31/12 |
RE Section |
| INSC1231 |
In-scope Status on 12/31/12 |
Constructed |
| INSCOPE |
Was Person Ever In-scope in 2012 |
RE Section |
| ELGRND31 |
Eligibility – R3/1 |
RE Section |
| ELGRND42 |
Eligibility – R4/2 |
RE Section |
| ELGRND53 |
Eligibility – R5/3 |
RE Section |
| ELGRND12 |
Eligibility Status as of 12/31/12 |
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 - PUBLIC USE
| 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 |
| AGE12X |
Age as of 12/31/12 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 12, 57-66 |
| AGELAST |
Person’s Age Last Time Eligible |
AGE12X, AGE42X, AGE31X |
| DOBMM |
Date of Birth: Month |
RE 12, 57-66 |
| DOBYY |
Date of Birth: Year |
RE 12, 57-66 |
| SEX |
Sex |
RE 12, 57, 61 |
| RACEVER |
Race Question Version Asked |
Constructed |
| RACEV1X |
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 |
| RACETHX |
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 |
| MARRY12X |
Marital Status–12/31/12 (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 13, 97 |
| SPOUID31 |
Spouse ID – R3/1 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUID42 |
Spouse ID – R4/2 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUID53 |
Spouse ID – R5/3 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUID12 |
Spouse ID – 12/31/12 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUIN31 |
Marital Status w/ Spouse Present
– R3/1 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUIN42 |
Marital Status w/ Spouse
Present – R4/2 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUIN53 |
Marital Status w/ Spouse
Present – R5/3 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| SPOUIN12 |
Marital Status w/Spouse
Present–12/31/12 |
RE 13, 76A, 97 |
| EDUCYR |
Years of Educ When First Entered MEPS |
RE 103-105 |
| EDUYRDEG |
Year of Education or Highest Degree |
RE103 |
| HIDEG |
Highest Degree When First Entered MEPS |
RE 103-105 |
| EDRECODE |
Education Recode |
RE103 |
| 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 |
| FTSTU12X |
Student Status if Ages 17-23 – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| RFREL12X |
Relation to Ref Pers – 12/31/12 (Edit/Imp) |
RE 76-77 |
Return To Table Of Contents
PERSON-LEVEL CONDITION VARIABLES - PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| RTHLTH31 |
Perceived Health Status – RD 3/1 |
PE00A |
| RTHLTH42 |
Perceived Health Status – RD 4/2 |
PE00A |
| RTHLTH53 |
Perceived Health Status – RD 5/3 |
PE00A |
| MNHLTH31 |
Perceived Mental Health Status – RD 3/1 |
PE00B |
| MNHLTH42 |
Perceived Mental Health Status – RD 4/2 |
PE00B |
| MNHLTH53 |
Perceived Mental Health Status – RD 5/3 |
PE00B |
| HIBPDX |
High Blood Pressure Diag (>17) |
PE02 |
| HIBPAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-High Blood Pressure |
CE03 |
| BPMLDX |
Mult Diag
High Blood Press (>17) |
PE04 |
| CHDDX |
Coronary Hrt
Disease Diag (>17) |
PE05 |
| CHDAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis–Coronary Heart Disease |
PE06 |
| ANGIDX |
Angina
Diagnosis (>17) |
PE07 |
| ANGIAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Angina |
PE08 |
| MIDX |
Heart Attack
(MI) Diag (>17) |
PE09 |
| MIAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Heart Attack (MI) |
PE10 |
| OHRTDX |
Other Heart
Disease Diag (>17) |
PE11 |
| OHRTAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Other Heart Disease |
PE12 |
| STRKDX |
Stroke
Diagnosis (>17) |
PE13 |
| STRKAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Stroke |
PE14 |
| EMPHDX |
Emphysema
Diagnosis (>17) |
PE15 |
| EMPHAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Emphysema |
PE16 |
| CHBRON31 |
Chronc
Bronchits Last 12 Mths (>17)–R3/1 |
PE17 |
| CHBRON53 |
Chronc
Bronchits Last 12 Mths (>17)–R5/3 |
PE17 |
| CHOLDX |
High
Cholesterol Diagnosis (>17) |
PC11A/PE19 |
| CHOLAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-High Cholesterol |
PE20 |
| CANCERDX |
Cancer
Diagnosis (>17) |
PE21 |
| CABLADDR |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Bladder (>17) |
PE22 |
| BLDRAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Bladder Cancer |
PE23 |
| BLDRREMS |
Bladder
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CABLOOD |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Blood (>17) |
PE22 |
| BLODAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Blood Cancer |
PE23 |
| BLODREMS |
Blood Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CABONE |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Bone (>17) |
PE22 |
| BONEAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Bone Cancer |
PE23 |
| BONEREMS |
Bone Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CABRAIN |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Brain (>17) |
PE22 |
| BRAIAGED |
Age of Diagnosis-Brain
Cancer |
PE23 |
| BRAIREMS |
Brain Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CABREAST |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Breast (>17) |
PE22 |
| BRSTAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Breast Cancer |
PE23 |
| BRSTREMS |
Breast Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CACERVIX |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Cervix (>17) |
PE22 |
| CERVAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Cervical Cancer |
PE23 |
| CERVREMS |
Cervical
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CACOLON |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Colon (>17) |
PE22 |
| COLOAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Colon Cancer |
PE23 |
| COLOREMS |
Colon Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAESOPH |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Esophagus (>17) |
PE22 |
| ESPHAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Esophageal Cancer |
PE23 |
| ESPHREMS |
Esophageal
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAGALLBL |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Gallbladder (>17) |
PE22 |
| GLBLAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Gallbladder Cancer |
PE23 |
| GLBLREMS |
Gallbladder
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAKIDNEY |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Kidney (>17) |
PE22 |
| KIDNAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Renal Cancer |
PE23 |
| KIDNREMS |
Kidney Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CALARYNX |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Larynx (>17) |
PE22 |
| LRNXAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Laryngeal Cancer |
PE23 |
| LRNXREMS |
Laryngeal Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CALEUKEM |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Leukemia (>17) |
PE22 |
| LEUKAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Leukemia |
PE23 |
| LEUKREMS |
Leukemia in
Remission |
PE25 |
| CALIVER |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Liver (>17) |
PE22 |
| LIVRAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Liver Cancer |
PE23 |
| LIVRREMS |
Liver Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CALUNG |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Lung (>17) |
PE22 |
| LUNGAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Lung Cancer |
PE23 |
| LUNGREMS |
Lung Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CALYMPH |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Lymphoma (>17) |
PE22 |
| LYMPAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Lymphoma |
PE23 |
| LYMPREMS |
Lymphoma in
Remission |
PE25 |
| CAMELANO |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Melanoma (>17) |
PE22 |
| MELAAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Melanoma |
PE23 |
| MELAREMS |
Melanoma in
Remission |
PE25 |
| CAMOUTH |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Mouth/Lip/Tonge (>17) |
PE22 |
| MOUTAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Mouth/Lip/Tongue Cancer |
PE23 |
| MOUTREMS |
Mouth/Lip/Tongue
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAMUSCLE |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Softtiss/Musc/Fat (>17) |
PE22 |
| MUSCAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Sfttiss/Musc/Fat Cancer |
PE23 |
| MUSCREMS |
Sfttiss/Musc/Fat
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAOTHER |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Other (>17) |
PE22 |
| OTHRAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Other Cancer |
PE23 |
| OTHRREMS |
Other Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAOVARY |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Ovary (>17) |
PE22 |
| OVRYAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Ovarian Cancer |
PE23 |
| OVRYREMS |
Ovarian
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAPANCRS |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Pancreas (>17) |
PE22 |
| PANCAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Pancreatic Cancer |
PE23 |
| PANCREMS |
Pancreatic
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAPROSTA |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Prostate (>17) |
PE22 |
| PRSTAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Prostate Cancer |
PE23 |
| PRSTREMS |
Prostate
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CARECTUM |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Rectum (>17) |
PE22 |
| RECTAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Rectal Cancer |
PE23 |
| RECTREMS |
Rectal Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CASKINNM |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Skin-Nonmelano (>17) |
PE22 |
| SKNMAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Skin-Nonmelanoma Cancer |
PE23 |
| SKNMREMS |
Skin-Nonmelanoma
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CASKINDK |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Skin-Unknown Type (>17) |
PE22 |
| SKDKAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Skin-Unknwn Type Cancer |
PE23 |
| SKDKREMS |
Skin-Unknown
Type Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CASTOMCH |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Stomach (>17) |
PE22 |
| STOMAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Stomach Cancer |
PE23 |
| STOMREMS |
Stomach
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CATESTIS |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Testis (>17) |
PE22 |
| TSTSAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Testicular Cancer |
PE23 |
| TSTSREMS |
Testicular
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CATHROAT |
Cancer
Diagnosed – Throat Cancer |
PE22 |
| THRTAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Throat Cancer |
PE23 |
| THRTREMS |
Throat Cancer
in Remission |
PE25 |
| CATHYROD |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Thyroid (>17) |
PE22 |
| THYRAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Thyroid Cancer |
PE23 |
| THYRREMS |
Thyroid
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| CAUTERUS |
Cancer
Diagnosed - Uterus (>17) |
PE22 |
| UTERAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Uterine Cancer |
PE23 |
| UTERREMS |
Uterine
Cancer in Remission |
PE25 |
| DIABDX |
Diabetes
Diagnosis (>17) |
PE26 |
| DIABAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Diabetes |
PE27 |
| JTPAIN31 |
Joint Pain Last
12 Months (>17) – RD 3/1 |
PE28 |
| JTPAIN53 |
Joint Pain
Last 12 Months (>17) – RD 5/3 |
PE28 |
| ARTHDX |
Arthritis
Diagnosis (>17) |
PE29 |
| ARTHTYPE |
Type Of
Arthritis Diagnosed (>17) |
PE30 |
| ARTHAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Arthritis |
PE31 |
| ASTHDX |
Asthma
Diagnosis |
PE32 |
| ASTHAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-Asthma |
PE33 |
| ASSTIL31 |
Does Person Still Have Asthma – RD 3/1 |
PE33A |
| ASSTIL53 |
Does Person Still Have Asthma - RD 5/3 |
PE33A |
| ASATAK31 |
Asthma Attack Last 12 Mos– RD 3/1 |
PE34 |
| ASATAK53 |
Asthma Attack Last 12 Mos– RD 5/3 |
PE34 |
| ASTHEP31 |
When Was Last
Episode Of Asthma – Rd 3/1 |
PE35 |
| ASTHEP53 |
When Was Last
Episode Of Asthma – Rd 5/3 |
PE35 |
| 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 |
| ADHDADDX |
ADHD/ADD
Diagnosis (5-17) |
PE36 |
| ADHDAGED |
Age of
Diagnosis-ADHD/ADD |
PE37 |
| PREGNT31 |
Pregnant
During Ref Period – RD 3/1 |
CE05B |
| PREGNT42 |
Pregnant
During Ref Period – RD 4/2 |
CE05B |
| PREGNT53 |
Pregnant
During Ref Period – RD 5/3 |
CE05B |
Return To Table Of Contents
HEALTH STATUS VARIABLES - PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| IADLHP31 |
IADL Screener – RD 3/1 |
HE 1-3 |
| IADLHP42 |
IADL Screener – RD 4/2 |
HE 1-3 |
| IADLHP53 |
IADL Screener – RD 5/3 |
HE 1-3 |
| 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 4-6 |
| ADLHLP42 |
ADL Screener – RD 4/2 |
HE 4-6 |
| ADLHLP53 |
ADL Screener – RD 5/3 |
HE 4-6 |
| 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 9-10 |
| WLKLIM53 |
Limitation in Physical Functioning – RD 5/3 |
HE 9-10 |
| 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 |
| ANYLIM12 |
Any Limitation in P16R3,4,5/P17R1,2,3 |
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 Needed (0-17)R4/2 |
CS10A |
| CHRTCR42 | CAHPS:12Mos: Make Apt (0-17)R4/2 |
CS11A |
| CHRTWW42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Apt Whn Needed (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 |
| CHENEC42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Esy 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 |
| CHEYRE42 |
CAHPS:12Mos: Esy 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 |
| BSTST53 |
Mst Rcnt Bld Stool Tst Hme Kit(>39)-R5/3 |
AP24 |
| BSTSRE53 |
Rsn Have Bld Stool Tst (>39)-R5/2 |
AP24A |
| CLNTST53 |
Most Recent Colonoscopy (>39) - R5/3 |
AP26 |
| CLNTRE53 |
Rsn Have Colonoscopy (>39) – R5/3 |
AP26A |
| SGMTST53 |
Most recent Sigmoidoscopy (>39) – R5/3 |
AP27 |
| SGMTRE53 |
Rsn Have Sigmoidoscopy (>39) – R5/3 |
AP27A |
| PHYEXE53 |
Mod/Vig Phys Exec 5X 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 |
Return To Table Of Contents
DISABILITY DAYS VARIABLES – PUBLIC USE
| 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 - PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| ACCELI42 |
Pers Eligible for Access Supplement-R4/2 |
Constructed |
| LANGHM42 |
AC01 Language Spoken Most in Home-R4/2 |
AC01 |
| ENGCMF42 |
AC02 Whole HH Comfrtble Speakng Eng-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 |
| NOHINS42 |
AC08 Oth Reas No USC:No Hlth Insrnc-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 |
| 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 - PUBLIC USE
| 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 12/31/12 |
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) |
EW 5, 7, 11-13, 17-18, 24; EM 104, 111 |
| NHRWG42 |
Updated Hrly Wage RD 4/2 CMJ (Edited) |
EW 5, 7, 11-13, 17-18, 24; EM 104, 111 |
| NHRWG53 |
Updated Hrly Wage RD 5/3 CMJ (Edited) |
EW 5, 7, 11-13, 17-18, 24; EM 104, 111 |
| 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 - PUBLIC USE
MONTHLY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE INDICATORS
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| TRImm12X |
Covered by TRICARE/CHAMPVA in mm 12 (Ed), where mm =
JA-DE |
HX12, 13, PR19-22, HQ Section |
| MCRmm12 |
Covered by Medicare in mm 12,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX05-07, 27, 29, 29OV |
| MCRmm12X |
Covered by Medicare in mm 12 (Ed),
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX05-07, 27, 29, 29OV, see Section 2.5.9.1 for
additional edit specifications |
| MCDmm12 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX10-11, PR07-10 and HQ Section |
| MCDmm12X |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP in mm 12 (Ed),
where
mm = JA-DE |
MCDmm11, HX14-16, 18-19, 41-43, 45, PR11-14, 23-32,
39-42 |
| OPAmm12 |
Cov by Other Public A Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX14-15, 41-45, PR 23-32 and HQ Section |
| OPBmm12 |
Cov by Other Public B Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX14-15, 41-43, PR23-30 and HQ Section |
| STAmm12 |
Covered by Other State Prog in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX16-19, PR35-38 and HQ Section |
| PUBmm12X |
Covr by Any Public Ins in mm 12 (Ed),
where
mm = JA-DE |
TRImm12X, MCRmm12X, MCDmm12X, OPAmm12, OPBmm12 |
| PEGmm12 |
Covered by Empl Union Ins in mm 12,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX2-4, 21-24, 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, RJ Sections |
| PDKmm12 |
Covr by Priv Ins (Source Unknwn) mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
| PNGmm12 |
Covered by Nongroup Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
| POGmm12 |
Covered by Other Group Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
| PRSmm12 |
Covered by Self-Emp-1 Ins in mm 12,
where mm = JA-DE |
HX3, 4, 48, HQ, OE, RJ and EM sections |
| POUmm12 |
Covered by Holder Outside of RU in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HX21-24, 48, HP, OE, and HQ Sections |
| PRImm12 |
Covered by Private Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
POGmm12, PDKmm12, PEGmm12, PRSmm12, POUmm12, PNGmm12 |
| HPEmm12 |
Holder of Empl Union Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
PEGmm12, HP9, 11 |
| HPDmm12 |
Holder of Priv Ins (Source Unknwn) mm 12,
where mm = JA-DE |
PDKmm12; HP11 |
| HPNmm12 |
Holder of Nongroup Ins in mm 12,
where mm = JA-DE |
PNGmm12; HP11 |
| HPOmm12 |
Holder of Other Group Ins in mm 12,
where mm = JA-DE |
POGmm12; HP11 |
| HPSmm12 |
Holder of Self-Emp-1 Ins in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
PRSmm12; HP9 |
| HPRmm12 |
Holder of Private Insurance in mm 12,
where
mm = JA-DE |
HPEmm12, HPSmm12, HPOmm12, HPNmm12, HPDmm12 |
| INSmm12X |
Covr by Hosp/Med Ins in mm 12 (Ed),
where mm = JA-DE |
PUBmm12X, PRImm12 |
Return To Table Of Contents
SUMMARY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE INDICATORS
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| PRVEV12 |
Ever Have Private Insurance during 12 |
Constructed |
| TRIEV12 |
Ever Have TRICARE/CHAMPVA during 12 |
Constructed |
| MCREV12 |
Ever Have Medicare during 12 (ED) |
Constructed |
| MCDEV12 |
Ever Have Medicaid/SCHIP during 12 (ED) |
Constructed |
| OPAEV12 |
Ever Have Other Public A Ins during 12 |
Constructed |
| OPBEV12 |
Ever Have Other Public B Ins during 12 |
Constructed |
| UNINS12 |
Uninsured All of 12 |
Constructed |
| INSCOV12 |
Health Insurance Coverage Indicator 12 |
Constructed |
| INSURC12 |
Full Year Insurance Coverage Status 2012 |
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 |
| TRIST12X |
Covered by TRICARE Standard – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| TRIPR12X |
Covered by TRICARE Prime – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| TRIEX12X |
Covered by TRICARE Extra – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| TRILI12X |
Covered by TRICARE for Life – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| TRICH12X |
Covered by TRICARE CHAMPVA – 12/31/12 |
HX12, 12A, 13, PR19, 19A, 20-22, HQ Section |
| MCRPD31 |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – R3/1 |
HX05-07, HX33A, HX35A, PR05, PR06B, HQ Section |
| MCRPD42 |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – R4/2 |
HX05-07, HX33A, HX35A, PR05, PR06B, HQ Section |
| MCRPD12 |
Cov By Medicare Pmed Benefit – 12/31/12 |
HX05-07, HX33A, HX35A, PR05, PR06B, 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 |
| MCRPD12X |
Cov By Mcare Pmed Benefit–12/31/12(ED) |
MCARE12X, MCAID12X, MCRPD12 |
| MCRPB31 |
Cov By Medicare Part B – R3/1 |
HX05-07,
HX25-27 and HQ section |
| MCRPB42 |
Cov By Medicare Part B – R4/2 |
HX05-07, HX25-27
and HQ section |
| MCRPB12 |
Cov By Medicare Part B – 12/31/12 |
HX05-07, HX25-27
and HQ section |
| 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 |
| MCRPHO12 |
Covered By Medicare Managed Care – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| MCDHMO12 |
Covred By Medicaid or SCHIP HMO – 12/31/12 |
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 |
| MCDMC12 |
Cov By Mcaid/SCHIP Gtkeepr Plan-12/31/12 |
MCDHMO12, 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 |
| PRVHMO12 |
Covered by Private HMO –12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRVMNC12 |
Covered by Priv Gatekeeper Plan-12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRVDRL12 |
Cov by Priv Plan w/Doctor List-12/31/12 |
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 |
| PHMONP12 |
Cov by HMO-Pays Non-Plan Drs-12/31/12 |
PRVHMO12, 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 |
| PMNCNP12 |
Cov by Gatekp-Pays Non-Plan Drs-12/31/12 |
PRVMNC12, 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 |
| PRDRNP12 |
Cov by Dr List-Pays Non-Plan Dr-12/31/12 |
PRVDRL12, MC04, MC01-03, HX2-4, 21-24,48; HP, OE, HQ,
EM, and RJ Sections |
Return To Table Of Contents
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| FSAGT31 |
Anyone in RU Have FSA - R3/1 |
HX63C |
| HASFSA31 |
Person is FSA Holder - R3/1 |
HX63D |
| FSAAMT31 |
FSA Total Amount for RU - R3/1 |
HX63E |
Return To Table Of Contents
DURATION OF HEALTH INSURANCE VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| PREVCOVR |
Per Cov by Ins in Prev 2 Yrs–Panl 17 Only |
HX64 |
| COVRMM |
Month Most Recently Covered–Panel 17 Only |
HX65 |
| COVRYY |
Year Most Recently Covered–Panel 17 Only |
HX65 |
| WASESTB |
Was Prev Ins by Empl or Union–Pnl 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASMCARE |
Was Prev Ins by Medicare–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASMCAID |
Was Prev Ins by Mcaid/SCHIP–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASCHAMP |
Was Prev Ins TRICARE/Champva–Panl 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASVA |
Was Prev Ins VA/Militar Care–Panl 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASPRIV |
Was Prev Ins Grp/Assoc/Ins Co–Pnl 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASOTGOV |
Was Prev Ins by Oth Gov Prg–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASAFDC |
Was Prev Ins by Public AFDC–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASSSI |
Was Prev Ins by SSI Program–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASSTAT1 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 1–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASSTAT2 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 2–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASSTAT3 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 3–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASSTAT4 |
Was Prev Ins by Stat Prog 4–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| WASOTHER |
Was Prev Ins by Oth Source–Panel 17 Only |
HX66, HX78 |
| NOINSBEF |
Evr Wout Hlth Insr Prev Yr–Panel 17 Only |
HX70 |
| NOINSTM |
# Wks/Mon Wout Hlth Ins Prv Yr–Pnl 17 Onl |
HX71 |
| NOINUNIT |
Unit Of Time Wout Hlth Ins–Panel 17 Only |
HX71OV |
| MORECOVR |
Cov by Mor Compr Pl Prev 2 Yr–Pnl 17 Only |
HX76 |
| INSENDMM |
Month Most Recently Covd–Panel 17 Only |
HX77 |
| INSENDYY |
Year Most Recently Covd–Panel 17 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 |
| TRICR12X |
Cov by TRICR/CHAMV - 12/31/12 (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 |
| TRIAT12X |
Any Time Cov TRICARE/CHAMPVA - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| MCAID12 |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| MCAID12X |
Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - 12/31/12 (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 |
| MCARE12 |
Cov by Medicare - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| MCARE12X |
Cov by Medicare - 12/31/12 (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 |
| MCDAT12X |
Any Time Cov Medicaid or SCHIP-12/31/12 |
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 |
| OTPAAT12 |
Any Cov Ot Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/12 |
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 |
| OTPBAT12 |
Any Cv Ot Gv Nt Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/12 |
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 |
| OTPUBA12 |
Cov/Pay Oth Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/12 |
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 |
| OTPUBB12 |
Cov Oth Gov Not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO-12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRIDK12 |
Cov by Priv Ins (Dk Plan) - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRIEU12 |
Cov by Empl/Union Grp Ins - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRING12 |
Cov by Non-Group Ins - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRIOG12 |
Cov by Other Group Ins - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRIS12 |
Cov by Self-Emp-1 Ins - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRIV12 |
Cov by Priv Hlth Ins - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PRIVAT12 |
Any Time Cov Private Ins - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PROUT12 |
Cov by Someone Out Of Ru - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| PUB12X |
Cov by Public Ins - 12/31/12 (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 |
| PUBAT12X |
Any Time Cov by Public - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| INS12X |
Insured - 12/31/12 (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 |
| INSAT12X |
Insured Any Time in R5/R3 until 12/31/12 |
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 |
| STAPR12 |
Cov by State-Spec Prog - 12/31/12 |
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 |
| STPRAT12 |
Any Time Cov by State Ins - 12/31/12 |
Constructed |
| EVRUNINS |
Ever Uninsured in 12 Using PRIV/PUBX |
Constructed |
| EVRUNAT |
Ever Uninsured in 12 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 12 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
| DNTINS12 |
Dental Ins - R5/R3 until 12/31/12 |
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 12 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
| PMDINS12 |
Pmed Ins - R5/R3 until 12/31/12 |
HX48, OE10, OE24, OE37 |
Return To Table Of Contents
THIRD PARTY PAYER VARIABLES – PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
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
– R5/3 |
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 |
| PMEDPP31 |
Out-of-Pocket Payment For Last
PMED-R3/1 |
CP01C/ CP01COV1 |
| PMEDPP42 |
Out-of-Pocket Payment For Last
PMED-R4/2 |
CP01C/ CP01COV1 |
| PMEDPP53 |
Out-of-Pocket Payment For Last
PMED-R5/3 |
CP01C/ CP01COV1 |
Return To Table Of Contents
EXPERIENCES WITH PUBLIC PLAN VARIABLES – PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| GDCPBM42 |
Mcaid/SCHIP/O Pub: Prb Get 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 Csrvc-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 - PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| OBTOTV12 |
# Office-Based Provider Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBDRV12 |
# Office-Based Physician Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBOTHV12 |
# Office-Based Non-Physician Vsts 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBCHIR12 |
# Office-Based Chiropractor Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBNURS12 |
# Off-Based Nurse/Practitioner Vsts 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBOPTO12 |
# Office-Based Optometrist Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBASST12 |
# Office-Based Physician Ass’t Vsts 2012 |
Constructed |
| OBTHER12 |
# Office-Based PT/OT Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OPTOTV12 |
# Outpatient Dept Provider Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OPDRV12 |
# Outpatient Dept Physician Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| OPOTHV12 |
# Outpatient Dept Non-DR Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| ERTOT12 |
# Emergency Room Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| IPZERO12 |
# Zero-Night Hospital Stays 2012 |
Constructed |
| IPDIS12 |
# Hospital Discharges 2012 |
Constructed |
| IPNGT12 |
# Nights in Hosp for Discharges 2012 |
Constructed |
| DVTOT12 |
# Dental Care Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| DVGEN12 |
# General Dentist Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| DVORTH12 |
# Orthodontist Visits 2012 |
Constructed |
| HHTD_R12 |
# Home Health Provider Days 2012 |
Constructed |
| HHAD_R12 |
# Agency Home Health Provider Days 2012 |
Constructed |
| HHINDD12 |
# Non-Agency Home Hlth Providr Days 2012 |
Constructed |
| HHINFD12 |
# Informal Home Hlth Provider Days 2012 |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
WEIGHTS VARIABLES - PUBLIC USE
| VARIABLE |
DESCRIPTION |
SOURCE |
| PERWT12P |
Use File Person Weight |
Constructed |
| VARSTR |
Variance Estimation Stratum - 2012 |
Constructed |
| VARPSU |
Variance Estimation PSU - 2012 |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
|
Back
Email Updates
