MEPS HC-125: 2010 P14R3/P15R1 Population Characteristics
May 2011
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
2.5.2 Demographic Variables
2.5.3 Health Status and Priority Condition Variables
2.5.4 Employment Variables
2.5.5 Health Insurance Variables
2.6 Linking to Other Files
2.6.1 National Health Interview Survey
2.6.2 Longitudinal Analysis
3.0 Survey Sample Information
3.1 Sample Design and Response Rates
3.1.1 The MEPS Sampling Process and Response Rates: An Overview
3.1.2 Panel 14 Response
3.1.3 Panel 15 Response
3.1.4 Combined Panel Response
3.1.5 Oversampling
3.2 Sample Weights
3.2.1 Person-level Weight
3.2.2 Family-level Weight
3.2.2.1 Definition of MEPS Families
3.2.2.2 Assignment of Weights
3.2.2.3 Instructions to Create Family Estimates
3.2.3 Relationship between Person- and Family-Level Weights
3.3 Variance Estimation
3.4 Using MEPS Data for Trend Analysis
D. Variable-Source Crosswalk
A. Data Use Agreement
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
B. Background
1.0 Household Component
The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) provides
nationally representative estimates of health care use, expenditures, sources of
payment, and health insurance coverage for the U.S. civilian
non-institutionalized population. The MEPS Household Component (HC) also
provides estimates of RU members’ 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 non-institutionalized 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
2.0 Medical Provider Component
Upon completion of the household CAPI interview and
obtaining permission from the household survey RU members, a sample of medical
providers are contacted by telephone to obtain information that household
respondents can not accurately provide. This part of the MEPS is called the
Medical Provider Component (MPC) and information is collected on dates of visit,
diagnosis and procedure codes, charges and payments. The Pharmacy Component
(PC), a subcomponent of the MPC, does not collect charges or diagnosis and
procedure codes but does collect drug detail information, including National
Drug Code (NDC) and medicine name, as well as date filled and sources and
amounts of payment. The MPC is not designed to yield national estimates. It is
primarily used as an imputation source to supplement/replace household reported
expenditure information.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.0 Survey Management and Data Collection
MEPS HC and MPC data are collected under the authority
of the Public Health Service Act. Data are collected under contract with Westat,
Inc. (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:
www.meps.ahrq.gov. Selected data can be
analyzed through MEPSnet, an on-line interactive tool designed to give data
users the capability to statistically analyze MEPS data in a menu-driven
environment.
Additional information on MEPS is available from the
MEPS project manager or the MEPS public use data manager at the Center for
Financing Access and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850 (301-427-1406).
Return To Table Of Contents
C. Technical and Programming Information
1.0 General Information
This documentation describes the 2010 point-in-time
data file to be released from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household
Component (MEPS HC). Released as an ASCII file (with related SAS and SPSS
programming statements and data user information), and a SAS transport data set,
this public use file provides information on data collected on a nationally
representative sample of the civilian, non-institutionalized population of the
United States during the early part of 2010. The file contains 104 variables and
has a logical record length of 216 with an additional 2-byte carriage
return/line feed at the end of each record. The data consist of 2010 data
obtained in Round 3 of Panel 14 and Round 1 of Panel 15 of the MEPS Household
Component and contain variables pertaining to Survey Administration,
Demographics, Health Status and Priority Conditions, Employment, and Health
Insurance.
This documentation offers a brief overview of the
types and levels of data provided, the content and structure of the files, and
programming information. It contains the following sections:
- Data File Information
- Survey Sample Information
- Variable/Questionnaire Crosswalk
Both weighted and unweighted frequencies of all the
variables included on the 2010 point-in-time data file are provided in the
accompanying codebook file.
MEPS survey questionnaires, the Household Survey
Variable Locator indicating the major MEPS data items on public use files that
have been released to date and a catalog of MEPS products are available on the
MEPS web page (www.meps.ahrq.gov).
Return To Table Of Contents
2.0 Data File Information
This public use data file contains variable and
frequency distributions for a total of 35,317 persons (17,580 from Panel 14
Round 3 and 17,737 from Panel 15 Round 1). This count includes all household
survey persons who resided in eligible responding households. Of these persons,
33,971 were assigned a positive person-level weight (16,725 from Panel 14 Round
3 and 17,246 from Panel 15 Round 1). For each variable, both weighted and
unweighted frequencies are provided. In conjunction with the weight variable
(WGTSP13) provided on this file, data for these persons can be used to make
estimates for the civilian, non-institutionalized U.S. population as of the
first half of 2010.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.1 Codebook Structure
The codebook and data file sequence list variables in
the following order:
- Unique person identifiers
- Demographic variables
- Health Status variables
- Employment variables
- Health Insurance 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 |
| -7 REFUSED |
Question was asked and respondent refused to answer question |
| -8 DK |
Question was asked and respondent did not know answer |
| -9 NOT ASCERTAINED |
Interviewer did not record the data |
| -10 HOURLY WAGE >= $69.79 |
Variable was top-coded for confidentiality |
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 8 character limitation. All of the variables on this file
(except some demographic variables and DUID, DUPERSID, PID, and KEYNESS) end in
"13" to denote they are combination Panel 15 Round 1/Panel 14 Round 3 variables.
For edited variables, the "13" is followed by an "X", and they are so noted in
the variable label. 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 "D. Variable-Source
Crosswalk". Sources for each variable are indicated in one of four ways: (1)
variables derived from the CAPI or assigned in sampling are so indicated; (2)
variables derived from complex algorithms associated with reenumeration are
labeled "RE Section"; (3) variables that come from one or more specific
questions have those numbers listed in the "Source" column; and (4) variables
constructed from multiple questions using complex algorithms are labeled
"Constructed" in the "Source" column.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5 File Contents
2.5.1 Survey Administration Variables
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.
Variables in this delivery describe data for Panel 14 Round 3 and Panel 15 Round
1 in 2010.
The variable PANEL indicates the panel from which the
data are derived. A value of 14 indicates Panel 14 Round 3 data and a value of
15 indicates Panel 15 Round 1 data.
Note that Round 3 of Panel 14 covers both the end of
2009 and the beginning of 2010. (When possible, the variables were constructed
to represent data from the 2010 portion of Round 3.)
Dwelling Units, Reporting Units, and Families
The definition of Dwelling Units (DUs) in the MEPS
Household Survey is generally consistent with the definition 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. The
person number (PID) uniquely identifies all persons within the dwelling unit.
The variable DUPERSID is a combination of the variables DUID and PID; thus it
uniquely identifies each sampled person in MEPS.
A Reporting Unit (RU) is a person or group of persons
in the sampled dwelling unit who are related by blood, marriage, adoption,
foster care or other family association. Each RU is to be 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 by the variable RULETR13. Regardless of the legal status of their
association, two persons living together as a "family" unit were treated as a
single reporting unit if they chose to be so identified. Examples of different
types of reporting units are:
- A married daughter and her husband living with her parents in the same
dwelling unit constitute a single reporting unit.
- A husband and wife and their unmarried daughter, age 18, who is living
away from home while at college, constitute two reporting units.
- Three unrelated persons living in the same dwelling unit would each
constitute a distinct reporting unit, three reporting units in all.
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 MEPS interview, were treated as a reporting
unit separate from that of their parents for the purpose of data collection. The
variable RUSIZE13 indicates the number of persons in each RU, treating each
student as a single RU separate from their parents. Thus, students are not
included in the RUSIZE13 count of their parents’ RU. However, for many analytic
objectives, the student reporting units would be combined with their parents’
reporting unit, treating the combined entity as a single family. Family
identifier and size variables are described below and include students with
their parents’ reporting unit.
The variable FAMID13 identifies a family (i.e.,
persons living together related to one another by blood, marriage, adoption,
foster care, or self-identified as a single unit plus related students who are
living away at post-secondary school) for each round. These family identifier
variables use a letter and a DU identifier to indicate a person’s family
affiliation. In order to identify a person’s family affiliation, users must
create a unique family identification variable by concatenating the DU
identifier (DUID) and the FAMID13 variable, as described in Section 3.2.2.3
Instructions to Create Family Estimates.
The variable FAMSIZ13 indicates 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 FAMSIZ13 variable. In a few cases, students were deleted from the file
because attempts to contact them were unsuccessful, and no data were collected
for them. However, these persons are accounted for in the FAMSIZ13 variable.
The family size (FAMSIZ13) and the reporting unit (RU)
size (RUSIZE13) counts may not be consistent with the count of records on the
file. There are some reporting units where the RU size variable (RUSIZE13) is
not equal to the number of people in that RU actually included on the file. This
occurs because people who did not respond for their entire period of eligibility
were not included on the file. In addition, for a number of these reporting
units, the reference person is not included on the file for this same reason.
The variable RURSLT13 indicates the RU response status
for Round 3 for the Panel 14 sample and Round 1 for the Panel 15 sample. The
values include the following:
60 Complete with RU member
61 Complete with proxy--all RU members deceased on or after 1/1/2010
62 Complete with proxy--all RU members institutionalized or deceased on or after 1/1/2010
63 Complete with proxy, other
There are several other variables that characterize
the reporting unit. The variable RUCLAS13 indicates the RU classification. RUs
are classified for fielding purposes as 1 "Standard", 2 "New RU", or 3 "Student
RU". Standard RUs are the original RUs from NHIS. A new RU is one which has been
created when members of the household leave the standard RU and are followed
according to the rules of the survey. A student RU is one in which an unmarried
college student under 24 years of age 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 that of their parents for the purpose of
data collection.
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 BEGRFD13, BEGRFM13, and
BEGRFY13. The reference period for Panel 15 Round 1 for most persons identified
at NHIS began on January 1, 2010 and ended on the date of the Round 1 interview.
Persons who joined the RU after January 1, 2010 have their beginning reference
date for the round as the day they joined the RU.
For Panel 14 Round 3, 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 as the
day they joined the RU.
The dates of the interview and the ending reference
period dates are included for each person. These variables include ENDRFD13,
ENDRFM13, ENDRFY13, RUENDD13, RUENDM13, and RUENDY13. In general, the date of
the interview is the reference period end date for most persons. Note that the
end date of the reference period is prior to the date of the interview if the
person was deceased during the round, left the country, was institutionalized
prior to that round’s interview, or joined the military during the round and was
not living with someone else who was eligible. Because of this, it is possible
for a person whose reference period for Round 3 ended in 2009 to be included in
this delivery. While these few persons do not have a positive person-level
weight for 2010, they are included in this file because they do have a positive
family-level weight for 2010. If a person left the RU and
that person was key and in-scope, the person was followed in the new RU to which
he or she moved and his or her reference period dates pertain to the new RU.
Reference Person Identifiers
The variable RNDREF13 identifies the reference person
for the RU. In general, the reference person is defined as the household member
16 years of age or older who owns or rents the home. If the person identified as
the reference person in a previous round (at NHIS if Round 1) still lives in the
RU at the date of the current interview, then this person automatically
continues to be the reference person for the current round. The household
respondent is asked to identify another person from the RU fitting this
definition only when the previously identified reference person is no longer
living in the RU. If the respondent is unable to identify a new reference person
then the questionnaire asks for the head of household among the DU members
fitting this definition and the person selected or added is then considered the
reference person for that RU. This information was 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 variable
RDRESP13 identifies the respondent. 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 variable PROXY13 identifies
the type of respondent.
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,
INSCOP13, and PSTAT13. 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 reporting unit 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 U.S. civilian,
non-institutionalized population for at least one day during 2010. Because a
person’s eligibility for the survey might have changed since the NHIS interview,
a reenumeration of household membership was conducted at the start of each
round’s interview. Only persons who were "in-scope" sometime during 2010, "key",
and responded for the full period in which they were in-scope were assigned
person-level weights and thus are to be used in the derivation of person-level
national estimates from the MEPS.
In-Scope
A person is considered as in-scope during a round if
he or she is a member of the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized population at
some time during that round. The variable INSCOP13 indicates a person’s in-scope
status, specifically indicating whether a person was ever in-scope during the
2010 portion of the round.
Keyness
The term "keyness" is related to an individual’s
chance of being included in MEPS for purposes of making estimates about the U.S.
civilian, non-institutionalized population. 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 either was a member of an NHIS
household at the time of the NHIS interview, or was a family member who began
living with a member of such a household after being out-of-scope prior to
joining that household. (Examples of the latter situation include newborns and
persons returning from military service, an institution, or living outside the
United States.)
A non-key person is one whose chance of selection for
the NHIS (and MEPS) was associated with a household eligible but not sampled for
the NHIS, and who later became a member of a MEPS reporting unit. MEPS data
(e.g., utilization and income) were collected for the period of time a non-key
person was part of the sampled unit to provide information for family-level
analyses. However, non-key persons who leave a sample household unaccompanied by
a key, in-scope member were not followed for subsequent interviews. Non-key
individuals do not receive person-level sample weights and thus do not
contribute to person-level national estimates. They may receive family-level
weights if they are a member of a responding family.
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 may be key even
though not part of the civilian, non-institutionalized 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 the 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 2010. He or she may receive a family weight if a
member of a responding family.
Eligibility
The issue of a person’s eligibility for MEPS is a data
collection issue. Data are to be collected only for persons considered eligible
for MEPS.
All key, in-scope persons of a sampled RU are eligible
for data collection. The only non-key persons eligible for data collection are
those who happen to be living in an RU with at least one key, in-scope person.
Their eligibility continues only for the time that they are living with at least
one such person. The only out-of-scope persons eligible for data collection are
those persons serving full-time on active duty in the military who were living
with key in-scope persons, and again only for the time they are living with such
a person.
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, data are collected for that person only for the period of time for
which that person was classified as eligible.
Person Disposition Status
The variable PSTAT13 indicates a person’s response and
eligibility status. The PSTAT13 variable indicates the reasons for either
continuing data collection for a person 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, were institutionalized or were in
the military. Note that some categories may be collapsed for confidentiality
purposes.
The following codes specify the value labels for the
PSTAT13 variable. Note that some values for PSTAT13 are round-specific, as
indicated in the labels.
| 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 – Round 3 only |
| 22 |
The person leaves an institution (health care
or non-health care) and rejoins the community – Round 3 only |
| 23 |
The person leaves an institution (health care
or non-health care), rejoins the community and then dies – Round 3 only |
| 24 |
The person dies in a health care institution
during the round (former RU member) – Round 3 only |
| 31 |
Person from original RU, dies during reference
period |
| 32 |
Went to health care institution during
reference period |
| 33 |
Went to non-healthcare institution during
reference period |
| 34 |
Moved from original RU, outside U.S. (not as
student) |
| 35 |
Moved from original RU, to a military facility
while on full-time active military duty |
| 36 |
Went to institution (type unknown) during
reference period |
| 41 |
Moved from the original RU, to new RU within
U.S. (new RUs include RUs originally classified as "Student RU" but
which converted to "New RU") |
| 42 |
The person joins RU and is not full-time
military during round |
| 43 |
The person’s disposition as to why the person
is not in the RU is unknown or the person moves and it is unknown
whether the person moved inside or outside the U.S. |
| 44 |
The person leaves an RU and joins an existing
RU and is not both in the military and coded as inscope during the round |
| 51 |
Newborn in reference period |
| 61 |
Died prior to reference period (not
eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
| 62 |
Institutionalized prior to reference period
(not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
| 63 |
Moved outside U.S., prior to reference period
(not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
| 64 |
Full-time military, living on a military
facility, moved prior to reference period (not eligible)-Round 3/1 only |
| 71 |
Student under 24 living away at school in
grades 1-12 (Non-Key) |
| 72 |
Person is dropped from the RU roster as
ineligible: the person is a non-key student living away or the person is
not related to reference person or the RU is the person’s residence only
during the school year |
| 73 |
Not Key and not full-time military, moved
without someone key and inscope (not eligible) |
| 74 |
Moved as full-time military but not to a
military facility and without someone key and inscope (not eligible this
round) |
| 81 |
Person moved from original RU, full-time
student living away from home, did not respond |
Geographic Variables
Two variables, REGION13 and MSA13, indicate the
geographic location of the reporting unit. REGION13 indicates the Census region
the RU resides in at the time of the Round 1/Round 3 interview. The Census
regions are defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
MSA13 indicates whether or not the RU is in a Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) and reflects 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.
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 |
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.2 Demographic Variables
These variables provide information about the
demographic characteristics of each person. As noted below, some variables have
edited and imputed values. Values of most demographic variables on this file are
obtained during each round of the MEPS interview. These variables describe data
for Panel 14 Round 3 and Panel 15 Round 1, as well as a number of
characteristics that are not round specific.
Age
Date of birth and age for each RU member were asked or
verified during each MEPS interview (AGE13X, DOBMM, DOBYY). 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 variable AGE13X was top coded at 85 years, and DOBYY bottom
coded at 1925. When date of birth was not provided but age was (from either the
MEPS or the 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 the
mean age difference between MEPS mothers and their children, or a wife’s age is
imputed as the husband’s age plus the mean age difference between MEPS wives and
husbands.
Sex
The variable SEX contains data on the sex of each RU
member (SEX), as determined during the NHIS interview; it 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 interview) were
also obtained during each MEPS round. When sex of the RU member was not
available from the NHIS interview 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 sex, if obvious. If the person’s first name
provided no indication of gender, then family relationships were reviewed. If
neither of these approaches made it possible to determine the individual’s sex,
sex was randomly assigned.
Race and Ethnicity Group
The race and the ethnic background questions were
asked for each RU member during the MEPS interview. If the information was not
obtained in Round 1, the questions were asked in subsequent rounds. It should be
noted that race/ethnicity questions in the MEPS were revised starting in 2002.
Race/ethnicity data from earlier years are not directly comparable. The
following table shows the differences:
MEPS Race and Ethnicity Variables, by Years
|
FY PUFS 1996 – 2001
RACEX
1 American Indian
2 Aleut, Eskimo
3 Asian or Pacific Islander
4 Black
5 White
91 Other
HISPANX
1 Hispanic
2 Not Hispanic
RACETHNX
1 Person is Hispanic
2 Person is Black/Not Hispanic
3 Other/Not Hispanic
HISPCAT
-9 Not Ascertained
-7 Refused
1 Puerto Rican
2 Cuban
3 Mexican/Mexican American/Mexicano/Chicano
4 Other Latin American/Other Spanish
5 Non-Hispanic
|
FY PUFS 2002 – current
RACEX
1 White – No other race reported
2 Black – No other race reported
3 American Indian/Alaska Native – No other race reported
4 Asian – No other race reported
5 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander – No other race reported
6 Multiple race reported
HISPANX
1 Hispanic
2 Not Hispanic
RACETHNX
1 Person is Hispanic
2 Person is Black – No other race reported/Not Hispanic
3 Person is Asian – No other race reported/Not Hispanic
4 Other race/Not Hispanic
HISPCAT
-9 Not Ascertained
-8 DK
-7 Refused
1 Puerto Rican
2 Cuban/Cuban American
3 Dominican
4 Mexican/Mexican American
5 Central or South American
6 Non-Hispanic
91 Other Latin American
92 Other Hispanic / Latino
RACEAX
1 Asian – No other race reported
2 Asian – Other race(s) reported
3 All other race assignments
RACEBX
1 Black – No other race reported
2 Black – Other race(s) reported
3 All other race assignments
RACEWX
1 White – No other race reported
2 White – Other race(s) reported
3 All other race assignments
|
Values for these variables were obtained based on the
following priority order. If available, data collected were used to determine
race and ethnicity. If race and/or ethnicity were not reported in the interview,
then data obtained from the originally collected NHIS data were used. If still
not ascertained, the race, and/or ethnicity were assigned based on relationship
to other members of the DU using a priority ordering that gave precedence to
blood relatives in the immediate family (this approach was used on 47 persons to
set race and 21 persons to set ethnicity).
Starting in 2002, individuals were allowed to choose
more than one race and, as a result, three new variables were constructed:
RACEBX, RACEAX, and RACEWX. RACEBX identifies individuals as being: 1) Black –
no other race reported, 2) Black – other race(s) reported, or 3) not black.
RACEAX and RACEWX are constructed similarly but apply to Asians and Whites. All
race and ethnicity variables reflect the imputations done for RACEX and HISPANX.
RACETHNX summarizes both race and ethnicity information in a single variable.
Marital Status and Spouse ID
Current marital status was collected and/or updated
during each round of the MEPS interview. This information was obtained in RE13
and RE97 and is reported as MARRY13X. Persons under the age of 16 were coded as
6 "Under 16 - Inapplicable". 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. For example, in Panel 14 Round 3, 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".
Four edits were performed to ensure some consistency
across rounds for the Panel 14 Round 3 data. 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.
The person identifier for each individual’s spouse is
reported in SPOUID13. The variable is set to the PID (within each family) of the
person identified as the spouse during the round. 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 SPOUIN13 variable indicates whether a person’s
spouse was present in the RU during the round. If the person had no spouse in
the household, the value was coded as 2. For persons under the age of 16 the
value was coded as 3. The SPOUID13 and SPOUIN13 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 question separate from the questions that asked about marital
status. While editing was performed to ensure that SPOUID13 and SPOUIN13 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 SPOUIN13 and SPOUID13 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; or
- Discrepancies which cannot be explained by either of the previous
reasons.
Student Status and Educational Attainment
The variable FTSTD13X indicates whether the person was
a full-time student at the interview date. This variable has valid values for
all persons between the ages of 17 - 23 inclusive.
The variables indicating completed years of education
when first entered MEPS (EDUCYR) and highest degree when first entered MEPS
(HIDEG) were obtained from questions RE103-105. For Panels 14 and 15 (panels
from which data are based), questions RE103-105 were asked only when persons
first entered MEPS, which was Round 1 for most people.
For the completed years of education variable
(EDUCYR), children who are 5 years of age or older when they first entered MEPS
and who never attended school were coded as 0; children under the age of 5 years
were coded as -1 "Inapplicable" regardless of whether or not they attended
school.
The highest degree (HIDEG) was obtained from two
questions: high school diploma (RE104) and highest degree (RE105). Persons under
16 years of age when they first entered MEPS were coded as 8 "Uder 16
-Inapplicable". In cases where the response to the highest degree question was
"no degree" and highest grade was 13 through 17, the variable was coded as 3
"high school diploma". If highest grade completed for those with a "no degree"
response was "refused" or "don’t know", the variable was coded as 1 "no degree".
The user should note that the EDUCYR and HIDEG variables are unedited variables
and minimal data cleaning was performed on these variables. Therefore,
discrepancies in data may remain for these two sets of variables. Decisions as
to how to handle these discrepancies are left to the analyst.
Military Service and Service Era
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 variable ACTDTY13. 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".
HONRDC13 indicates whether a person has ever been
honorably discharged from active duty in the United States Armed Forces. Those
under 16 years of age are coded as 3 "16 or Younger - Inapplicable", and those
who are currently serving on full-time active duty 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 dwelling unit 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 Reference Person Identifiers in
the Survey Administration section.) The variable RFREL13X indicates 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," 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 were not sufficient to identify the
relationship of an individual to the reference person, relationship variables
from the 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. Note that relationship values
occurring fewer than six times in the file are recoded to "other related" for
purposes of confidentiality.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.3 Health Status and Priority Condition Variables
Health Status variables involved the construction of
person-level variables based on information collected in the Condition
Enumeration, Priority Condition Enumeration, and Health Status sections of the
questionnaire. The majority of 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. Logical edits were performed in
constructing the person-level variables to ensure 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 skip patterns in the survey
(e.g., individuals who were 13 years of age or older were not asked some
follow-up verification questions). Inapplicable cases are coded as -1. In
addition, for all variables, deceased persons were coded as inapplicable and
received a code of -1.
Perceived Health Status and Mental Health Status
Perceived health status (RTHLTH13) and perceived
mental health status (MNHLTH13) were collected in the Priority Condition
Enumeration section. These questions (PE00A and PE00B) asked the respondent to
rate the physical and mental health of each person in the family according to
the following categories: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. No editing
was done to these variables.
IADL and ADL Help/Supervision
The Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)
Help or Supervision variable (IADLHP13) was constructed from a series of three
questions. 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 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",
IADLHP13 was coded as "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 "don’t know", "refused", or otherwise missing, 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 Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Help or
Supervision variable (ADLHLP13) was constructed in the same manner as IADLHP13,
but using questions HE04-HE06. Coding conventions for missing data were the same
as for IADLHP13.
Functional Limitations
A series of questions pertained to functional
limitations, defined as difficulty in performing certain specific physical
actions. WLKLIM13 was the filter question. It was 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 WLKLIM13. If the answer was "yes",
then the specific persons who had any of these difficulties were identified and
coded as "yes" (1) on WLKLIM13, and remaining family members were coded as "no".
If the response to the family-level question was "don’t know" (-8), "refused"
(-7), "missing" (-9), or "inapplicable" (-1), then the corresponding missing
value code was applied to each family member’s value for WLKLIM13. If the answer
to HE09 was "yes", but no specific individual was named as experiencing such
difficulties, then each family member was assigned -8 for WLKLIM13. Deceased
persons were assigned a -1 code ("inapplicable") for WLKLIM13.
If any family member was coded "yes" to WLKLIM13, a
subsequent series of questions was administered. The series of questions for
which WLKLIM13 served as a filter was as follows:
LFTDIF13 – difficulty lifting 10 pounds
STPDIF13 – difficulty walking up 10 steps
WLKDIF13 – difficulty walking 3 blocks
MILDIF13 – difficulty walking a mile
STNDIF13 – difficulty standing 20 minutes
BENDIF13 – difficulty bending or stooping
RCHDIF13 – difficulty reaching over head
FNGRDF13 – difficulty using fingers to grasp
This series of questions was asked separately for each
person who was coded "yes" to WLKLIM13. This series of questions was not asked
for other individual family members for whom WLKLIM13 was "no". In addition,
this series was not asked about family members who were less than 13 years of
age, regardless of their status on WLKLIM13. These questions were not asked
about deceased family members. In such cases (i.e., WLKLIM13 = 2, or age < 13,
or PSTAT13 = (23,24,31)), each question in the series was coded as
"inapplicable" (-1). Finally, if responses to WLKLIM13 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, for WLKLIM13, there was no
minimum age criterion that was used to determine a skip pattern, whereas, for
the subsequent series of questions, persons less than 13 years old were skipped
and coded as inapplicable. Therefore, it is possible for someone aged 12 or less
to have a code of 1 ("yes") on WLKLIM13, and also to have codes of inapplicable
on the subsequent series of questions.
Use of Assistive Technology and Social/Recreational Limitations
The variables indicating use of assistive technology
(AIDHLP13, from question HE07) and social/recreational limitations (SOCLIM13,
from question HE22) were collected initially at the family level. If there was a
"yes" 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" on the appropriate variable;
all remaining family members were coded "no". If the family-level response was
"don’t know", "refused", or otherwise missing, 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 variable indicating any limitation in work,
housework, or school (ACTLIM13) was constructed using questions HE19-HE20.
Specifically, information was collected initially at the family level. If there
was a "yes" response to the family-level question (HE19), a second question
(HE20) identified the specific individual(s) to whom the "yes" response
pertained. Each individual identified as having a limitation was coded "yes" on
ACTLIM13; all remaining family members were coded "no". If the family-level
response was "don’t know", "refused", or otherwise missing, 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). Persons less than five years old
were coded as "inapplicable" (-1) on ACTLIM13.
If ACTLIM13 was "yes" 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
(WRKLIM13), doing housework (HSELIM13), or going to school (SCHLIM13).
Respondents could answer "yes" to each activity; one person could thus report
limitation in multiple activities. WRKLIM13, HSELIM13, and SCHLIM13 have values
of "yes" or "no" only if ACTLIM13 was "yes"; each variable was coded as
"Inapplicable" (-1) if ACTLIM13 was "No" (2). When ACTLIM13 was "Refused" (-7),
these variables were all coded as "Refused" (-7); when ACTLIM13 was "Don’t Know"
(-8), these variables were all coded as "Don’t Know" (-8); and when ACTLIM13 was
"Not Ascertained" (-9), these variables were all coded as "Not Ascertained"
(-9). If a person was under 5 years old or was deceased, WRKLIM13, HSELIM13, and
SCHLIM13 were each coded as "Inapplicable" (-1).
A second question (HE21) asked if the person was
completely unable to work at a job, do housework, or go to school. Those persons
who were coded "no," "Refused," "Don’t Know," or "Not Ascertained" on ACTLIM13,
or were under 5 years of age, or were deceased, were coded as "inapplicable"
(-1) on UNABLE13. UNABLE13 was asked once for whichever set of WRKLIM13,
HSELIM13, and SCHLIM13 the person had limitations; if a person was limited in
more than one of these three activities, UNABLE13 did not specify if the
person was completely unable to perform all of them, or only some of them.
Cognitive Limitations
The variable COGLIM13 was collected at the family
level as a three-part question (HE24-01 to HE24-03) indicating 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 COGLIM13 was coded as "yes". Remaining family members not identified were
coded as "no" for COGLIM13.
If responses to HE24-01 through HE24-03 were all "no",
or if two of three were "no" and the remaining was "don’t know", "refused", or
otherwise missing, all family members were coded as "no". If responses to the
three questions were combinations of "don’t know", "refused", and missing, all
persons were coded as "don’t know". If the response to any of the three
questions was "yes" but no individual was identified in HE25, all persons were
coded as "don’t know".
COGLIM13 reflects whether any of the three
component questions is "yes". Persons 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
2.5.4 Employment Variables
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.
Employment variables included on the Panel 14 Round
3/Panel 15 Round 1 2010 release are: EMPST13, HRWAG13X, HRWGRD13, HRWAY13,
HOUR13, HELD13X, OFFER13X, NUMEMP13 and SELFCM13. Most employment variables
pertain to status as of the date of the interview.
Logical edits were performed on variables that
indicate whether health insurance is held or offered at a current main job. In
addition, 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;
and
- 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.
When missing, wage values were imputed for certain
persons’ hourly wage; however, there was no editing performed on any values
reported by the respondent (except as noted above). Hourly wages greater than or
equal to $69.79 were top-coded to –10. The number of employees variable was
top-coded at 500.
Employment Status (EMPST13)
Employment status was asked for all persons aged 16 or
older. Responses to the employment status question were: "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 2010, and "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 return to. These
responses are mutually exclusive. A current main job was defined for persons
reporting that they were currently employed and who identified a current main
job, and for persons 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.
Hourly Wage (HRWAG13X, HRWGRD13, and HRWAY13)
Hourly wage was asked of all persons who reported a
current main job that was not self-employment (SELFCM13). For reasons of
confidentiality, the hourly wage variable (HRWAG13X) was top-coded. A value of
–10 indicates that the hourly wage was greater than or equal to $69.79. The
hourly wage on this file (HRWAG13X) should be considered along with its
accompanying variables HRWGRD13 and HRWAY13.
HRWGRD13 is a flag that indicates the round in which
the reported hourly wage was collected. This flag is always set to "1" for
people who are a part of Panel 15 because the reported hourly wage is always
from Round 1 as only Round 1 information is reported on this file. People who
are a part of Panel 14 can have a current main job from a previous round and
HRWGRD13 indicates the round in which the wage information was collected. For
Round 3 current main jobs that continue as the current main job from Round 1,
HRWGRD13 is "1". For Round 3 current main jobs that continue as the current main
job from Round 2 (but not Round 1), HRWGRD13 is "2". For Round 3 current main
jobs that are identified as current main for the first time in Round 3, HRWGRD13
is "3".
For persons who did not indicate a wage amount but who
did indicate a range into which the hourly wage falls, the reported hourly wage
(HRWAG13X) is the median within that range. The medians were calculated using
actual wages reported from the same round by persons of the same gender
reporting hourly wages within each age range category. In some cases,
particularly in the low wage range, gender was not used in the calculation of
the median wage in order to provide a large enough base.
HRWAY13 indicates how the corresponding HRWAG13X was
constructed. Hourly wage was 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
their 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
HRWAY13 variable.
Health Insurance (HELD13X and OFFER13X)
There are two employment-related health insurance
measures included in this release: health insurance held from a current main job
(HELD13X) and health insurance offered from a current main job (OFFER13X). The
held and offer variables were logically edited using health insurance
information from the health insurance section not available for public release.
Persons under age 16 as well as persons aged 16 and
older who do not hold a current main job, who are self-employed with no
employees, or who are otherwise ineligible are coded as "inapplicable" for both
the health insurance-related employment variables.
HELD13X is "yes" if the person reported having
insurance coverage from the employer or union at the current main job and that
coverage provides hospital/physician or Medigap benefits (as long as the person
is not self-employed with no employees). HELD13X is also "yes" if the person’s
current main job is with the armed forces.
HELD13X is "no" if the person either reported that
insurance is not obtained through the current main job or reported insurance and
then disavowed it. To disavow insurance is to initially report it but then to
deny that it is provided later in the interview, or to confirm it but indicate
that it does not include hospital/physician or Medigap benefits. As noted above,
this does not apply to self-employed persons with no employees (always
"inapplicable") and those with a current main job in the armed forces (always
"yes").
OFFER13X is always coded as "yes" if HELD13X is "yes".
In addition, except for certain self-employed persons with OFFER13X set to
"inapplicable" (see above), OFFER13X is coded as "yes" if insurance was offered
through the employer or union at the job. OFFER13X is "no" when HELD13X equals
"no" and insurance was not offered by the employer or union at the job.
As indicated above, information collected in the
health insurance section of the interview was considered in the construction of
HELD13X and OFFER13X. For example, several persons indicated in the employment
section of the interview that they held health insurance through a current main
job and then denied this coverage later in the health insurance section. Such
people were coded as "no" for HELD13X. Due to questionnaire skip patterns, the
value for HELD13X was considered in constructing the OFFER13X variable. For
example, if a person responded that health insurance was held from a current
main job, they were skipped past the question relating to whether health
insurance was offered at that job. If the person later disavowed this insurance
in the health insurance section of the questionnaire, we would not be able to
ascertain whether they were offered a policy. These individuals are coded as -9
for OFFER13X.
Hours (HOUR13)
HOUR13 is the number of hours worked per week at the
current main job.
Number of Employees (NUMEMP13)
Due to confidentiality concerns, the variable
indicating the number of employees at the establishment (NUMEMP13) has been top
coded at 500 or more employees. NUMEMP13 indicates the number of employees at
the location of the person’s current main job. For persons who reported a
categorical size, we report a median estimated size from within the reported
range.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.5.5 Health Insurance Variables
Constructed and edited variables are provided that
indicate any coverage during the MEPS Panel 15 Round 1 and Panel 14 Round 3
interviews for the sources of health insurance coverage collected during the
MEPS interview. With the exception of private insurance (PRIV13), the insurance
variables for the Panel 15 Round 1 observations have been edited. For both the
Panel 15 Round 1 sample and the Panel 14 Round 3 sample, minimal editing was
performed on the Medicare and Medicaid or State Children’s Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP) variables to assign persons to coverage from these sources.
Beginning October 1, 2001, persons 65 years and older can retain TRICARE
coverage in addition to Medicare. Therefore, persons over age 65 will no longer
have their reported TRICARE coverage (TRINW13X) overturned. TRICARE will act as
a supplemental insurance for Medicare much as Medigap insurance does now. As
mentioned above, private insurance coverage was unedited and unimputed for Panel
15 Round 1. For Panel 14 Round 3, most of the insurance variables have been
logically edited to address issues that arose during Rounds 2 and 3 when
reviewing insurance reported in earlier rounds. One edit corrects for possible
respondent confusion with respect to a question about covered benefits asked of
respondents who reported a change in their private health insurance plan name.
Additional edits were performed to address issues of missing data on the time
period of coverage. Note that the Medicare and TRICARE variables indicate
coverage at the time of the Panel 15 Round 1 or Panel 14 Round 3 interview
dates. The private coverage and other public insurance variables indicate
coverage at any time during Panel 15 Round 1 or Panel 14 Round 3.
Public sources include Medicare, TRICARE, Medicaid,
SCHIP, and other public hospital/physician coverage. State-specific program
participation in non-comprehensive coverage (STPRG13) was also identified but is
not considered health insurance for the purposes of this survey.
Medicare
Medicare (MCARE13) coverage was edited (MCARE13X) 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 or not 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 older and covered by Medicare; or
- They reported TRICARE coverage.
Medicaid and Other Public Hospital/Physician Coverage
Questions about other public hospital/physician
coverage were asked in an attempt to identify Medicaid or SCHIP recipients who
may not have recognized their coverage as such. These questions were asked only
if a respondent did not report Medicaid or SCHIP directly. Respondents reporting
other public hospital/physician coverage were asked follow-up questions to
determine if their coverage was through a specific Medicaid HMO or if it
included some other managed care characteristics. Respondents who identified
managed care from either path were asked if they paid anything for the coverage
and/or if a government source paid for the coverage.
The Medicaid variables (MCAID13) have been edited
(MCAID13X) 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. The Medicaid
variables also include those identified as covered by SCHIP.
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 (OTPUBA13); or
- The respondent did not report any managed care, Other Public B Insurance
(OTPUBB13).
The variables OTPUBA13 and OTPUBB13 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 Round 3/Round 1
The file also includes a summary measure that
indicates whether or not a sample person has any public insurance during the
early part of 2010 (PUB13X). 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 (STPRG13), for example,
Maryland Kidney Disease Program, were not considered to have public coverage
when constructing the variable PUB13X.
Private Insurance
Variables identifying private insurance in general
(PRIV13) and specific private insurance sources such as employer/union group
insurance (PRIEU13); non-group insurance (PRING13); and other group insurance
(PRIOG13) were constructed. Private insurance sources identify coverage in
effect at any time during the early part of 2010. Separate variables identify
covered persons and policyholders (policyholder variables begin with the letter
"H", e.g., HPRIEU13). These variables indicate coverage or policyholder status
within a source and do not distinguish between persons who are covered or
policyholders on one or more policy within a given source. In some cases, the
respondent was unable to characterize the source of insurance (PRIDK13). Covered
persons (but not policyholders) are identified when the policyholder is living
outside the RU (PRIOUT13). An individual was considered to have private health
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.
Health insurance through a job or union (PRIEU13,
PRIS13) 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 (PRIEU13) 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 (PRIS13) was initially reported in the
Employment Section and verified in the Health Insurance Section. Unlike the
other employment-related variable (PRIEU13), self-employed with firm size of 1
(PRIS13) insurance could not be reported in the Health Insurance Section for the
first time. The variable PRIS13 has been constructed to allow users to determine
if the insurance should be considered employment-related.
Private insurance that was not employment-related
(PRING13, PRIOG13, PRIDK13, and PRIOUT13) was reported in the Health Insurance
Section only.
Any Insurance in Round 3 / Round 1
The file also includes a summary measure that
indicates whether a sample person has any insurance during the early part of
2010 (INSRD13X). 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 (STPRG13), for example, Maryland Kidney
Disease Program, and those without hospital/physician benefits (for example,
private insurance for dental or vision care only, accidents or specific
diseases) were not considered to have public coverage when constructing the
variable INSRD13X.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.6 Linking to Other Files
2.6.1 National Health Interview Survey
Each MEPS panel can also be linked back to the
previous year’s National Health Interview Survey public use data files. For
information on obtaining MEPS/NHIS link files please see
www.meps.ahrq.gov/data_stats/more_info_download_data_files.jsp.
Return To Table Of Contents
2.6.2 Longitudinal Analysis
For Panels 1 through 8, panel-specific files (called
Longitudinal Weight Files) containing estimation variables to facilitate
longitudinal analysis are available for downloading in the data section of the
MEPS Web site. To create longitudinal files for these panels, it is necessary to
link data from two subsequent annual files that contain data for the first and
second years of the panel, respectively. Starting with Panel 9, it is not
necessary to link files for longitudinal analysis because Longitudinal Data
Files have been constructed and are available for downloading on the web.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.0 Survey Sample Information
3.1 Sample Design and Response Rates
The MEPS HC is designed to produce estimates at the
national and regional levels over time for the civilian, non-institutionalized
population of the United States and some subpopulations of interest. The MEPS HC
uses an overlapping panel design in which data for two calendar years are
obtained through five rounds of data collection.
A new sample (new Panel) of households for MEPS is
selected each year from among household respondents to the previous year’s
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) conducted by the National Center for
Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (The NHIS is an
ongoing general health survey of the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized
population.)
MEPS Panel 14 spans the two calendar years 2009 and
2010 while MEPS Panel 15 spans 2010 and 2011. This file consists of the subset
of data from the fourteenth and fifteenth MEPS panels covering from January 1
through, roughly, the spring of calendar year 2010. More specifically, data from
the 2010 portion of the third Round of data collection for the MEPS Panel 14
sample are pooled with data from the first Round of data collection for the MEPS
Panel 15 sample (see illustration below).
The sample for the NHIS is redesigned and redrawn
about every ten years. From 1995 to 2005 the NHIS used the same sample design,
and thus the MEPS, which began in 1996, has been based on a single NHIS design
through MEPS Panel 11 initiated in 2006. Since, in the NHIS, the same PSUs and
second stage sampling units are used each year, the MEPS sample from its
inception has likewise been clustered within these same sampling units. However,
a new sample design for the NHIS was implemented in 2006. The fundamental
structure of the new 2006 NHIS sample design is very similar to the previous
1995-2005 NHIS sample design although the sample PSUs and second stage sampling
units for the new NHIS design were selected independent of the sample selection
process under the previous design. Of course, there is some overlap between the
area populations covered by the sampled PSUs selected under the two designs,
mostly the larger ones selected with certainty. As households selected for MEPS
participation are selected from among the previous year’s NHIS respondents, the
MEPS Panel 12, fielded in 2007, was the first MEPS Panel based on the new NHIS
sample design. As a result, the 2007 PIT file consisted of two independent
samples with MEPS Panel 11 reflecting the old design. Since then both MEPS
panels have been based on the new design, including panels (14 and 15) in the
PIT file.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.1 The MEPS Sampling Process and Response Rates: An Overview
Generally, a sample representing about three-eighths
of the NHIS responding households is made available for use in MEPS. This was
the case for Panels 14 and 15.
A subsample of the responding NHIS households is drawn
for MEPS interviewing. Because the MEPS subsampling has to be done soon after
NHIS responding households are identified, a small percentage of the NHIS
households initially characterized as NHIS respondents are later classified as
nonrespondents for the purposes of NHIS data analysis. This actually serves to
increase the overall MEPS response rate slightly since the percentage of NHIS
households eligible for MEPS is slightly larger than the 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 to 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 dropped from
the sample. For the NHIS, college students living in student housing are sampled
independently of 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 the three informational components
just discussed in Rows A, B, and C. 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). From these numbers unweighted response rates have been computed,
allowing an assessment of the propensity to participate among those RUs actually
sampled for MEPS. Those actually sampled for MEPS include a disproportionately
high number of members of several minorities.
Table 3-1. Unweighted response rates for Point-in-Time file (Panel 15 Round 1/Panel 14, Round 3)
| |
Panel
14 |
Panel
15 |
2010
Combined |
| A. Percentage of NHIS sample eligible for MEPS |
85.2% |
84.0% |
|
| B. Number of households sampled from the NHIS |
9,700 |
8,750 |
|
| C. Number of Households sampled from the NHIS and fielded for MEPS |
9,672 |
8,726 |
|
| D. Round 1 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
10,227 |
9,258 |
|
| E. Round 1 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
7,650 |
6,802 |
|
| F. Round 2 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
7,883 |
|
|
| G. Round 2 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
7,239 |
|
|
| H. Round 3 – Number of RUs eligible for interviewing |
7,359 |
|
|
| I. Round 3 – Number of RUs with completed interviews |
6,980 |
|
|
Overall response rates through the Spring of 2010
P14: A x (E/D) x (G/F) x (I/H)
P15: A x (E/D)
Combined: .495 x P14 +.505 x P15 |
55.5%
(Panel 14
through
Round 3) |
61.7%
(Panel 15
through
Round 1) |
58.6% |
When an RU is visited for a round of data collection,
changes in RU membership are identified. Such changes include RU members who
have moved to another location in the U.S., thus creating a new RU to be
interviewed for MEPS, as well as student RUs. Thus, the number of RUs known to
be eligible for MEPS interviewing in a given round can only be determined after
data collection is fully completed. The ratio of the number of RUs completing
the MEPS interview in a given round to the number of RUs characterized as
eligible to complete the interview for that round represents the "conditional"
response rate for that round expressed as a proportion. It is "conditional" in
that it pertains to the set of RUs characterized as eligible for MEPS
specifically 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 15, Round 1 the ratio of
6,802 (Row E) to 9,258
(Row D) multiplied by 100 is 73.5 and represents the unweighted response rate
for the round conditioned on the set of RUs characterized as eligible for MEPS
for Round 1, expressed as a percentage. Multiplying the percentage of the NHIS
sample eligible for MEPS (row A) by the product of the ratios for a consecutive
set of MEPS rounds beginning with round one produces the overall response rate
through the last MEPS round specified. (It should be noted that the number of
RUs with completed interviews is slightly higher than the number of RUs
receiving family weights. RUs receiving family weights must satisfy additional
criteria such as participation throughout the entire period of eligibility by
all key, inscope RU members and the requirement that the RU reference person
must be key.)
The overall response rate for the combined sample of
Panel 15, Round 1 and Panel 14, Round 3 is obtained by taking the sum of the
products of the relative sample sizes and the corresponding overall panel
response rates. Panel 14, Round 3 represents about 49.5 percent of the combined
sample size, while Panel 15, Round 1 represents approximately 50.5 percent.
Thus, the combined response rate has been computed as .495 multiplied by the
Panel 14 response rate through Round 3 plus .505 multiplied by the Panel 15
response rate through Round 1.
As a point of information, for Panel 14 an experiment
has been conducted with respect to the effectiveness of various levels of
incentives to increase response rates and/or the quality of the data collected.
Analyses of the results of the experiment are currently being conducted.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.2 Panel 14 Response
For MEPS Panel 14 Round 1 9,672 households were
fielded in 2009 (row C of Table 3.1), a randomly selected subsample of the
households responding to the 2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Table 3-1 shows the number of RUs eligible for
interviewing in each Round of Panel 14 as well as the number of RUs completing
the MEPS interview. Computing the individual Round "conditional" Response Rates
as described in section 3.1.1 and then taking the product of the resulting three
"conditional" round response rates and the factor 85.2 (the percentage of the
NHIS sampled households eligible for MEPS) yields an overall unweighted response
rate of 55.5 percent for Panel 14 through Round 3.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.3 Panel 15 Response
For MEPS Panel 15, 8,726
households were fielded in 2010 (again, found in Row C of Table 3.1), a
randomly selected subsample of the households responding to the 2009 National
Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Table 3-1 shows the number of RUs eligible for
interviewing (9,258) and the number completing the interview for Round 1 of
Panel 15 (6,802). The overall unweighted response rate for Panel 15 through
Round 1 of MEPS is thus computed as 84.0 percent times (6,802/9,258), or 61.7
percent.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.4 Combined Panel Response
A combined response rate for the survey respondents in
this data set is obtained by taking a weighted average of the panel specific
response rates. The Panel 14 response rate was weighted by a factor of .495
while that of Panel 15 by a factor of .505, reflecting approximately the
distribution of the sample sizes between the two panels. The resulting
unweighted response rate for the combined panels is (.495 x 55.5) plus (.505 x
61.7) or 58.6 percent (as shown in Table 3-1).
Return To Table Of Contents
3.1.5 Oversampling
Oversampling was employed for selected subgroups of
policy-level interest to help increase the precision of estimates associated
with members of those subgroups. Before going into details, the concept of
oversampling is 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 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, subgroups that are "oversampled" are represented at
disproportionately high rates in the sample. Sample weights help ensure that
population estimates account for this disproportionate contribution from
oversampled subgroups, as the 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 a subgroup is done to
improve the precision of survey estimates for that particular subgroup. 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.
For MEPS, some of the oversampling was achieved
through its linkage to the NHIS. For the earlier sample design of the NHIS,
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 NHIS oversampling rate for black households was roughly 1.5 to
1. For the new NHIS sample design Asians are also oversampled. The estimated
overall oversampling rates associated with each of the three minorities have not
yet been reported.
The oversampling approaches and the sampling domains
used for MEPS Panels 14 and 15 for subsampling among the NHIS respondents
eligible for MEPS were similar. The same sample domains were employed but with
slightly different sampling rates. Four domains (strata) were established in a
hierarchical sequence. The first stratum contained households with Asians, a
second stratum contained households with Hispanics not assigned to the first
stratum, a third stratum contained households with Black members not assigned to
the first two strata, while the fourth stratum contained all remaining
households.
For Panel 14, all households in the Asian stratum were
sampled with certainty. The sampling rate was about 87 percent for the Hispanic
stratum, about 90 percent for the Black stratum, and about 72 percent for the
"other" stratum. For Panel 15 again all households in the Asian stratum were
sampled with certainty. The sampling rate was about 76 percent for the Hispanic
stratum, about 86 percent for the Black stratum, and about 61 percent for the
"other" stratum.
Within strata for both panels, responding NHIS
households were selected for MEPS using a systematic sample selection procedure
from among those eligible. With the subsampling, households that were
oversampled for calendar year 2010 were the households containing Hispanics,
Blacks, and Asians, based on their NHIS membership.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2 Sample Weights
The sample weights provided in this file can be used
to produce cross-sectional estimates for the U.S. civilian,
non-institutionalized population for the first half of 2010 and subgroups of
this population based on the sample data. Two weights are provided: a
person-level weight and a family-level weight.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.1 Person-level Weight
The person-level weight variable (WGTSP13) was
constructed as a composite of separate panel specific weights. A positive
person-level weight was assigned to all key members of the U.S. civilian,
non-institutionalized population for whom MEPS data were collected, representing
the corresponding U.S. population in early 2010. For the Panel 15 Round 1
participants, this weight reflects the original household probability of
selection for the NHIS, a factor representing the proportion of the 16 NHIS
panel-quarter combinations eligible for MEPS, the oversampling of the subgroups
described earlier, ratio-adjustment to NHIS national population estimates at the
household level, adjustment for non-participation in MEPS at the household or
dwelling unit level, and poststratification to U.S. civilian
noninstitutionalized population estimates obtained from March 2010 CPS data at
the family and person levels. For both panels 14 and 15 separately person-level
poststratification reflected population distributions across census region, MSA
status, race/ethnicity (Hispanic, black/non-Hispanic, Asian, other), sex, and
age. Finally, a composite weight was assigned to each responding person and a
final poststratification was undertaken across the variables of census region,
MSA status, race/ethnicity, sex, and age.
Table 3-2 shows the number of persons with person
weights for each of the two panels separately, as well as the combined total and
the total population estimate represented by the weighted total for all persons
with person-level weights. In terms of numbers of persons, there are 16,725 for
Panel 14, Round 3 and 17,246 for Panel 15, Round 1. Thus, in total, there are
33,971 sample persons in the file with positive person-level weights
(WGTSP13>0). The corresponding estimate for the civilian, noninstitutionalized
population based on summing the weights found in the variable WGTSP13 for these
33,971 persons is 303,343,255.
Table 3-2. Persons with a person weight
for the 2010 Point-in-Time file
| |
Panel 14 |
Panel 15 |
Combined |
Population estimate
(weighted total of combined sample) |
| Number |
16,725 |
17,246 |
33,971 |
303,343,255 |
A Note on Population Estimates
Beginning with the 2001 Full Year data, MEPS
transitioned to 2000 census-based population estimates for poststratification
and raking. In addition, MEPS population estimates underwent some
"discontinuities" due to adjustments made to the CPS estimates as of 2003 (CPS
being the source of the control figures used for raking and poststratification
in MEPS). Those who wish to learn about these changes in CPS population
estimates may consult the report "Revisions to the Current Population Survey
Effective in January 2003" from the January 2003 issue of the monthly Labor
Review. This report was authored by Mary Bowler, Randy E. Ilg, Stephen Miller,
Ed Robison, and Anne Polivka, all at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Differences
in the way racial categories are defined are also noted in this report.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.2 Family-level Weight
3.2.2.1 Definition of MEPS Families
A family unit is defined in MEPS as two or more
persons living together in the same household during the reference period (in
this data set, from January 1, 2010 to the date of interview) who are related by
blood, marriage, or adoption (including foster children). In addition, unrelated
persons who identify themselves as a family (e.g., domestic partners) are also
defined as a MEPS family unit. Persons who died during the Round 1 reference
period and those who left the civilian, non-institutionalized population part
way through the reference period due to institutionalization, emigration, or
enrollment in the military were considered to be family members. Relatives
identified as usual residents of the household but who were not present at the
time of the interview, such as college students living away from their parents’
home during the school year, were considered as members of the family that
identified them.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.2.2 Assignment of Weights
If all key, in-scope members of a family responded to
MEPS for their entire period of eligibility for Panel 14, Round 3 or for Panel
15, Round 1 and if the family had a key reference person, then that family
received a family-level weight (WGTRU13>0). Reporting units consisting of an
individual respondent who was both key and in-scope also received a family-level
weight. These single person "family" units can be included or excluded from
family-level analyses at the analyst’s discretion.
Family-level weights were poststratified to figures
obtained from the March 2010 CPS. The family-level poststratification reflects
population distributions across family type (reference person married, spouse
present; male reference person, no spouse present; female reference person, no
spouse present), size of family, age of reference person, location of family
(census region and MSA status), and race/ethnicity of the family’s reference
person.
Table 3-3 shows the number of families with
family-level weights for each of the two panels separately, as well as the
combined total and the total population estimate represented by the weighted
total for all families with family-level weights. Included as families in these
counts are individuals living in one person RUs. There are 6,715 such families
for Panel 14, Round 3 and 6,644 for Panel 15, Round 1. Thus, in total, there are
13,359 sample families in the file with positive family-level weights
(WGTRU13>0). The population estimate of the number of these "family" units
(families plus single person "family" units) with family-level weights
containing at least one member of the U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized
population is 132,865,347 based on summing the family level weights across all
13,359 MEPS families where WGTRU13 is positive.
Table 3-3. Families with a family weight for the 2010 Point-in-Time file
| |
Panel 14 |
Panel 15 |
Combined |
Population estimate
(weighted total of combined sample) |
| Number |
6,715 |
6,644 |
13,359 |
132,865,347 |
It should be noted that CPS and MEPS definitions of
family units are slightly different. In particular, CPS does not include foster
children in families or consider unmarried persons who live together as family
units. Adjustments were made in the poststratification process to help
compensate for some of these differences. Again, note that MEPS population
estimates have undergone some "discontinuities" due to an adjustment in the 2003
CPS estimates.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.2.3 Instructions to Create Family Estimates
To make estimates at the family level, it is necessary
to prepare a family-level file containing one record per family. Each MEPS
family unit is uniquely identified by the combination of the variables DUID and
FAMID13. Only persons with positive, nonzero family weight values (WGTRU13>0)
are candidates for inclusion in family estimates. Following is a summary of
steps that can be used for family-level estimation:
- Concatenate the variables DUID and FAMID13 into a new variable (e.g.,
DUFAM13).
- To create a family-level file, sort by DUFAM13 and then subset to one
record per DUFAM13 value by retaining only the reference person record
(RNDREF13=1) for each value of DUFAM13. If the analyst chooses to eliminate
single person units from family analyses, it is also necessary to exclude
records where FAMSIZ13=1. If aggregate measures for families are needed for
analytic purposes (e.g., means or totals), then those measures need to be
computed using person-level information within families and attached to the
family record. For other types of variables, analysts frequently use
characteristics of the reference person to represent family characteristics.
- Apply the weight WGTRU13 to the analytic variable(s) of interest to
obtain national family estimates.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.2.3 Relationship between Person- and Family-Level Weights
Some persons with positive person-level weights do not
have family-level weights because at least one member of their family was a
non-participant in MEPS. Others with positive person weights did not receive a
family weight because the family reference person was not key. In addition, some
persons with positive family-level weights do not have person-level weights
because they were either non-key or a member of the military or otherwise
out-of-scope during the 2010 portion of the MEPS data collection round. Analysts
should include only persons with positive person-level weights for analyses
focused on the civilian, noninstitutionalized population or subgroups of this
population. Analyses focused on members of families should include persons with
positive family-level weights. Family level analyses can be undertaken as
described in Section 3.2.2.3.
Return To Table Of Contents
3.3 Variance Estimation
MEPS has a complex sample design. To obtain estimates
of variability (such as the standard error of sample estimates or corresponding
confidence intervals) for MEPS estimates, analysts need to take into account the
complex sample design of MEPS for both person-level and family-level analyses.
Several methodologies have been developed for estimating standard errors for
surveys with a complex sample design, including the Taylor-series linearization
method, balanced repeated replication, and jackknife replication. Various
software packages provide analysts with the capability of implementing these
methodologies. Replicate weights have not been developed for the MEPS data.
Instead, the variables needed to calculate appropriate standard errors based on
the Taylor-series linearization method are included on this point-in-time file
as well as all other MEPS public use files. Software packages that permit the
use of the Taylor-series linearization method include SUDAAN, Stata, SAS
(version 8.2 and higher), and SPSS (version 12.0 and higher). For complete
information on the capabilities of each package, analysts should refer to the
corresponding software user documentation.
Using the Taylor-series linearization method, variance
estimation strata and the variance estimation PSUs within these strata must be
specified. The variables VARSTR and VARPSU on this MEPS data file serve to
identify the sampling strata and primary sampling units required by the variance
estimation programs. Specifying a "with replacement" design in one of the
previously mentioned computer software packages will provide estimated standard
errors appropriate for assessing the variability of MEPS survey estimates. It
should be noted that the number of degrees of freedom associated with estimates
of variability indicated by such a package may not appropriately reflect the
number available. For variables of interest distributed throughout the country
(and thus the MEPS sample PSUs), one can generally expect to have at least 100
degrees of freedom associated with the estimated standard errors for national
estimates based on this MEPS database.
Initially, MEPS variance strata and PSUs were
developed independently from year to year, and the last two characters of the
strata and PSU variable names denoted the rounds. However, beginning with the
2002 Point-in-Time PUF, the variance strata and PSUs were developed to be
compatible with all future PUF until the NHIS design changed. As discussed, this
change took place in 2006, effectively changing the MEPS design beginning with
calendar year 2007, where Panel 12 was based on the new NHIS design while Panel
11 was based on the old one. Thus, in order to make the pooling of data across
multiple years of MEPS more straightforward, the numbering system for the
variance strata has changed. Those strata associated with the new design will
have four digit values while those associated with the old design will have
three digit values.
For the 2007 PIT data a temporary set of variance
strata and PSUs were developed for use with data collected under the new NHIS
sample design. The current set of variance strata and PSUs were re-established
for the 2008 PIT data, and have been carried over to the subsequent PIT files
including the PIT 2010 dataset. Specifically, 165 variance estimation strata
were created, each stratum with either two or three variance estimation PSUs.
These have been numbered 1001-1165 for the 2010 PIT file.
Beginning with the 2002 PIT data base 203 variance
strata were formed for use in developing variance estimates for all subsequent
years and data bases under the old design. These were numbered 1-203. For data
analyses where data pooling across calendar years is limited to 2002 and later,
the numbering of the variance strata and variance PSUs now permits this with no
further actions needed.
If pooled analyses involve data in calendar years
earlier than 2002, a pooled linkage file has been created to permit assignment
of variance strata and PSU values for any person sampled under the old NHIS
sample design (the one used for the NHIS from 1995-2005, and thus associated
with MEPS samples for MEPS Panels 1-11). This person-level file contains
variance stratum and PSU variables for all respondents participating in MEPS,
along with the standard MEPS person ID variables for linking to other MEPS
files. This one file contains records for each person who is on any of the MEPS
full-year consolidated files. It is found on PUF Number HC-036. (A Balanced
Repeated Replicate or BRR version of this file is also available. See PUF Number
HC-036BRR.)
Return To Table Of Contents
3.4 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 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. 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 smooth or stabilize analyses
of trends using MEPS data such as comparing pooled time periods (e.g. 1996-97
versus 2004-05), working with moving averages, or using modeling techniques with
several consecutive years of MEPS data to test the fit of specified patterns
over time. Of course, researchers should be aware of the impact of multiple
comparisons on Type I error. Performing numerous hypothesis tests to help
identify existing trends increases the likelihood of inappropriately concluding
there is a trend (because a test indicated statistical significance) when, in
fact, there is not.
Finally, it should be noted that standard errors for
differences over time should be computed reflecting the correlation between MEPS
samples where it exists. MEPS panels from 2007 through 2010 share the same
sample PSUs and secondary sampling units. As a result, the estimated standard
error of the difference between two MEPS samples will generally be reduced due
to this correlation, to the extent that there is a positive correlation between
estimates over time. Failure to reflect this aspect of the MEPS sample design
(i.e., treating MEPS estimates as having come from independent samples) can
generally be expected to result in the estimated standard error of the
difference overstating the actual standard error, thus reducing the power to
detect existing differences over time. Variance estimation software packages
designed for complex samples, such as SUDAAN, provide the capability to reflect
the correlation between MEPS samples when estimating the standard error for an
estimated difference over time.
Return To Table Of Contents
D. Variable-Source Crosswalk
SURVEY ADMINISTRATION VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
LABEL |
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 |
Assigned by CAPI |
| FAMID13 |
Family Identifier (Student Merged In) |
CAPI Derived |
| RULETR13 |
RU Letter |
CAPI Derived |
| RUSIZE13 |
RU Size |
CAPI Derived |
| RUCLAS13 |
RU Fielded As: Standard, New, Student
|
CAPI Derived |
| FAMSIZ13 |
RU Size Including Students |
CAPI Derived |
| REGION13 |
Census Region |
Assigned in Sampling |
| MSA13 |
MSA |
Assigned in Sampling |
| RNDREF13 |
Reference Person |
RE 42-45 |
| RDRESP13 |
1st Respondent Indicator |
RE 6, 8 |
| PROXY13 |
Was Respondent A Proxy |
RE 2 |
| BEGRFD13 |
Reference Period Begin Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFM13 |
Reference Period Begin Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| BEGRFY13 |
Reference Period Begin Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFD13 |
Reference Period End Date: Day |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFM13 |
Reference Period End Date: Month |
CAPI Derived |
| ENDRFY13 |
Reference Period End Date: Year |
CAPI Derived |
| KEYNESS |
Person Key Status |
RE Section |
| INSCOP13 |
Inscope |
RE Section |
| PSTAT13 |
Person Disposition Status |
RE Section |
| RURSLT13 |
RU Result |
Assigned by CAPI |
| RUENDD13 |
Date of Intv (Date Started: Day) |
Assigned by CAPI |
| RUENDM13 |
Date of Intv (Date Started: Month) |
Assigned by CAPI |
| RUENDY13 |
Date of Intv (Date Started: Year) |
Assigned by CAPI |
Return To Table Of Contents
DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
LABEL |
SOURCE |
| AGE13X |
Age - (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 12, 57-66 |
| DOBMM |
Date of Birth: Month |
RE 12, 57-66 |
| DOBYY |
Date of Birth: Year |
RE 12, 57-66 |
| SEX |
Sex |
RE 12, 57, 61 |
| RACEBX |
Black Among Races Rptd (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
| RACEAX |
Asian Among Races Rptd (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
| RACEWX |
White Among Races Rptd (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
| RACEX |
Race - (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 101A |
| RACETHNX |
Race/Ethnicity - (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 98A-101A |
| HISPANX |
Hispanic Ethnicity - (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 98A-100A |
| HISPCAT |
Specific Hispanic Ethnicity Group |
RE 98A-100A |
| MARRY13X |
Marital Status - (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 13, 97 |
| SPOUID13 |
Spouse ID |
RE 76A |
| SPOUIN13 |
Marital Status with Spouse Present
|
RE 76A |
| EDUCYR |
Years of Educ when First Entered MEPS |
RE 103-105 |
| HIDEG |
Highest Degree when First Entered MEPS |
RE 103-105 |
| FTSTD13X |
Student Status Ages 17-23 (Edit/Imputed) |
RE 11A, 106-108 |
| ACTDTY13 |
Military Full-Time Active Duty |
RE14, 96 |
| HONRDC13 |
Honorably Discharged from Active Duty |
RE18A, RE96G |
| RFREL13X |
Relation To Ref Pers (Edited/Imputed) |
RE 76A |
Return To Table Of Contents
HEALTH STATUS VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
LABEL |
SOURCE |
| RTHLTH13 |
Perceived Health Status |
PE 00A |
| MNHLTH13 |
Perceived Mental Health Status |
PE 00B |
| IADLHP13 |
IADL Screener |
HE 1, 2, 3 |
| ADLHLP13 |
ADL Screener |
HE 4, 5, 6 |
| AIDHLP13 |
Uses Assistive Devices |
HE 7,8 |
| WLKLIM13 |
Limitation in Physical Functioning |
HE 9,10 |
| LFTDIF13 |
Difficulty Lifting 10 Pounds |
HE 11 |
| STPDIF13 |
Difficulty Walking Up 10 Steps |
HE 12 |
| WLKDIF13 |
Difficulty Walking 3 Blocks |
HE 13 |
| MILDIF13 |
Difficulty Walking a Mile |
HE 14 |
| STNDIF13 |
Difficulty Standing 20 Minutes |
HE 15 |
| BENDIF13 |
Difficulty Bending/Stooping |
HE 16 |
| RCHDIF13 |
Difficulty Reaching Over Head |
HE 17 |
| FNGRDF13 |
Difficulty Using Fingers to Grasp |
HE 18 |
| ACTLIM13 |
Limitation Work/Housework/School |
HE 19,20 |
| WRKLIM13 |
Work Limitation |
HE 19,20 |
| HSELIM13 |
Housework Limitation |
HE 19,20 |
| SCHLIM13 |
School Limitation |
HE 19,20 |
| UNABLE13 |
Completely Unable To Do Activity |
HE 21 |
| SOCLIM13 |
Social Limitation |
HE 22,23 |
| COGLIM13 |
Cognitive Limitation |
HE 24,25 |
Return To Table Of Contents
EMPLOYMENT VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
LABEL |
SOURCE |
| EMPST13 |
Employment Status |
EM 1-3; RJ 1, 6 |
| HRWAG13X |
Hourly Wage at Current Main Job (Edited) |
EW section;EM 104-105, 111 |
| HRWGRD13 |
Hourly Wage Round Flag |
Constructed |
| HRWAY13 |
Calculation Methods for Hourly Wage |
EM 104-105, 111; EW section |
| HOUR13 |
Hours Worked Per Week at CMJ |
EM 104-105, 111; EW 17; RJ 1 |
| HELD13X |
Health Insurance Held From CMJ (Ed) |
EM, HX, RJ and HP sections |
| OFFER13X |
Health Insurance Offered at CMJ (Ed) |
EM, HX, RJ and HP sections |
| NUMEMP13 |
Number of Employees at Location of CMJ |
EM 91-92, 124; RJ 8B |
| SELFCM13 |
Self-Employed at Current Main Job |
EM 5, 11, 18, 27, 40, 53 |
Return To Table Of Contents
HEALTH INSURANCE VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
LABEL |
SOURCE |
| TRINW13X |
PID Cov By TRICARE/CHAMPVA at Int - Edited |
HX 12, 13; PR 19 - 22; HQ section; RE 14, 96A |
| MCARE13 |
PID Cov By Medicare |
HX 5 – 7 |
| MCARE13X |
PID Cov By Medicare - Edited |
HX 5 - 7, 10 - 15; PRIV13 and (HX 48 or (OE 10, 24, 37));
PR 7-10, 19-26 |
| MCAID13 |
PID Cov By Medicaid or SCHIP |
HX 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19; HQ section; PR 7-10, 23-26, 39-42 |
| MCAID13X |
PID Cov by Medicaid or SCHIP - Edited |
MCAID13, HX 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19; 41-43, 45;
HQ section; PR 7-10, 11-14, 23-32, 39-42 |
| OTPUBA13 |
PID Cov By/Pays Oth Gov Mcaid/SCHIP HMO |
HX 14, 15, 41-45; HQ section; PR 23-30 |
| OTPUBB13 |
PID Cov By Oth Public not Mcaid/SCHIP HMO |
HX 14, 15, 41-43; HQ section; PR 23-30 |
| STPRG13 |
PID Cov By State Specific Program |
HX 16-19; HQ section; PR 35-38 |
| PUB13X |
PID Cov By Public Ins - Edited |
TRINW13X, MCARE13X, MCAID13X, OTPUBA13, OTPUBB13 |
| PRIEU13 |
PID Cov By Priv Empl/Union Plan |
HX 2-4, 21-24 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and RJ sections |
| PRIDK13 |
PID Cov By Priv DK Plan |
HX 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| PRING13 |
PID Cov By NonGroup Plan |
HX 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| PRIOG13 |
PID Cov By Oth Group Plan |
HX 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| PRIS13 |
PID Cov By Self-Emp -1 Ins |
HX 3, 4, 48; EM, RJ, OE, and HQ sections |
| PRIOUT13 |
PID Cov By Holder Outside RU |
HX 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| PRIV13 |
PID Cov By Private Ins |
PRIEU13, PRIDK13, PRING13, PRIOG13, PRIS13, PRIOUT13 |
| HPRIEU13 |
PID is Holder of Priv Empl/Union Plan |
HX 2-4, 9, 11, 21-24 48; HP, OE, HQ, EM, and
RJ sections |
| HPRIDK13 |
PID is Holder of Priv DK Plan |
HX 11, 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| HPRING13 |
PID is Holder of NonGroup Plan |
HX 11, 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| HPRIOG13 |
PID is Holder of Oth Group Plan |
HX 11, 21-24 48; HP, OE, and HQ sections |
| HPRIS13 |
PID is Holder of Self-Emp -1 Ins |
HX 3, 4, 9, 48; EM, RJ, OE, and HQ sections |
| HPRIV13 |
PID is Holder of Priv Ins Plan |
HPRIEU13, HPRIDK13, HPRING13, HPRIOG13, HPRIS13 |
| INSRD13X |
PID is Insured - Edited |
PUB13X, PRIV13 |
Return To Table Of Contents
WEIGHTS VARIABLES
| VARIABLE |
LABEL |
SOURCE |
| WGTSP13 |
Person Weight |
Constructed |
| WGTRU13 |
Family Weight |
Constructed |
| VARSTR |
Variance Estimation Stratum |
Constructed |
| VARPSU |
Variance Estimation PSU |
Constructed |
Return To Table Of Contents
|
Back
Email Updates
