MEPS P21R5/P22R3/P23R1 Consolidated Help Text

NOTE: The MEPS instrument design changed beginning in Spring of 2018, affecting Panel 23 Round 1, Panel 22 Round 3, and Panel 21 Round 5, and affected the 2017 MEPS data files. The MEPS website releases the consolidated CAPI survey instruments each year for the Rounds 1 through 3 for the first year panel and Rounds 3 through 5 for the second year panel to accompany data releases. For the Full-Year 2017 PUFs, the Panel 22 Round 3 and Panel 21 Round 5 data were transformed to the degree possible to conform to the previous year (2016) design. For this reason, we are releasing 2016 CAPI survey instruments, updated to reflect 2017 dates, along with the Full-Year 2017 PUFs to avoid unnecessary confusion for the data user.

HEALTH PROBLEM --
Disease, illness, or a problem with the functioning of the body
or organs. Health problems may be either physical or mental.

An example of a health problem is influenza; some of its
symptoms are fever, chills, and dizziness. Health problems may
be either physical or mental. Be sure to record health problems
only; do not record symptoms here unless the respondent cannot
give a condition name.

For this study, pregnancy is also considered a medical condition,
and SHOULD be recorded on the conditions roster. Although not an
illness or impairment, it calls for medical advice and assistance
and is an important element in a study of health care utilization
and costs.

IMPAIRMENT --
Examples include missing limbs, fingers or other body parts;
partial paralysis from an early case of polio, accident or
war wound; stiff joints, deformed fingers or other physical
evidence of arthritis; and vision or hearing loss.

HELP/SUPERVISION --
Help or supervision from another person includes a range of
behaviors. The concept encompasses:

HELP/SUPERVISION --
Help or supervision from another person includes a range of
behaviors. The concept encompasses:

AIDS/SPECIAL EQUIPMENT --
In the phrase ‘aids or any other special equipment’, the key
word is ‘special’. Special equipment includes any device that
is not used by the general population to perform a specific
activity. There are many kinds of special equipment:

LIMITED ABILITY --
Difficulties in performing a task independently. We are only
interested in difficulties that are associated with an
impairment or a PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM. Limited
activity ability (for example, work activity) means that a
person cannot do the role as long or in the same way as he/she
did previous to the impairment or physical or mental health
problem, but still does it to some extent (as opposed to not
being able to do it at all).

LIMITED IN PARTICIPATING --
Difficulties that limit the person’s ability to participate in
the activities. We are only interested in difficulties that
are associated with an impairment or a PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
HEALTH PROBLEM. Limited activity participation (for example,
playing sports) means that a person cannot do the activity as
long or in the same way as he/she did previous to the
impairment or physical or mental health problem, but still does
it to some extent (as opposed to not being able to do it at
all).

BLIND --
Refers to persons who cannot see at all or who only have light
perception. It also includes persons who are considered legally
blind. Legal blindness is defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or
less in the better eye (WITH the best possible correction) or as
a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

DEAF --
Refers to inability to hear in BOTH EARS without the use of
hearing aids. Also can include hearing loss greater than 70 dB
(decibels) in the better ear without hearing aids.

HALF DAY OR MORE --
If a person’s work or school day is 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m., for
example, and he/she stayed home from work or school (because of
a physical or mental health problem) for more than 3 hours of
that time, we consider this as having missed a half day or
more. If a person’s work FOR PAY is usually done at home, or
if a person does housework for pay, include any half days
missed from such work when it is due to illness or injury.

ACCIDENT/INJURY --
Physical problems because of some sort of external trauma to
the body such as a fall or being in an auto accident. This
refers to unexpected and undesirable events. Accidents may
include poisonings, where the condition results from swallowing,
breathing, or coming in contact with some poisonous substance.
Illnesses and other types of problems due to a natural process
in the body, such as any type of disease, should NOT be included.

MEDICAL DOCTOR -
Include both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of
osteopathy (D.O.). Specific examples of physicians include:

Types of providers NOT to be counted as medical doctors
are chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists,
paramedics, podiatrists, psychologists.

NURSE -
Includes several types of nursing specialists, such as
registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN),
nurse’s aide, occupational health nurse, community health
nurse, or public health nurse (PHN).

NURSE PRACTITIONER -
A registered nurse (RN) who has completed additional training
beyond basic nursing education. They have qualifications
which permit them to carry out expanded health care
evaluation and decision-making regarding patient care.

PARAMEDIC -
A medical person who is licensed to perform advanced cardiac
life support procedures and other emergency medical
treatment under the direction of a physician.

HEALTH AIDE -
A nursing assistant who provides personal care and home
management services to allow patients to live in their own
homes. They work under the supervision of a physician or
registered nurse and may help patients bathe, exercise, and
dress. They may also check the patient’s temperature, blood
pressure, pulse and respiration rates, and help give
medications.

PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT -
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a medical person who provides
health care services with the direction and supervision of a
doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathic physician (DO).
Physician Assistants train for several years in order to earn
the certification to perform diagnostic, therapeutic,
preventive, and health maintenance services. Not to be
confused with non-medical persons who also ‘assist’ the
physician.

NURSE MIDWIFE -
A nurse who provides medical care and treatment to ob/gyn
patients under the supervision of a physician or doctor. The
duties of a nurse midwife may include routine gynecological
care, delivering babies, instructing patients in prenatal and
postnatal health practices, instructing patient in the care
of herself and the infant, examinations, etc.

OPTOMETRIST -
A medical person who examines the eyes and vision system for
visual defects, diagnoses eye impairments, prescribes
corrective lenses, and provides other types of treatment.
Not to be confused with an M.D. who specializes in treating
eye diseases, such as an ophthalmologist.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST -
A doctor of medicine (MD) who specializes in treating eye
diseases.

PODIATRIST (FOOT DOCTOR) -
A podiatrist (DPM) (sometimes referred to as a ‘foot
doctor’),is a medical person who deals with examination,
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, conditions,
and malfunctions affecting the human foot and its related
structures.

CHIROPRACTOR -
Medical persons who practice a system of medicine based on
the principles that the nervous system largely determines the
state of health and that disease results from nervous system
malfunctioning. Treatment consists primarily of the
adjustment and manipulation of parts of the body, especially
the spinal column.

ACUPUNCTURIST -
Persons who use a technique for relieving pain, treating
medical conditions, inducing regional anesthesia, or
improving general well-being, in which thin needles are
inserted into the body at specific points.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST -
Medical person who is concerned with the treatment of
musculoskeletal disorders with physical agents and methods --
such as massage, manipulation, therapeutic exercises, cold,
heat, hydrotherapy, electric stimulation, and light -- to
assist in rehabilitating patients and in restoring normal
function after an illness or injury.

SPEECH THERAPIST -
A medical person trained in the application and use of
techniques aimed at improving language and speech disorders.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST -
Medical persons who are concerned with improving the person’s
ability to perform self-help tasks, tasks that are associated
with employment activities, or tasks that allow an individual
to more fully enjoy and participate in leisure time
activities. Occupational therapy is used in retraining
individuals after illnesses and accidents, as well as
providing ongoing help to persons with more permanent
disabilities from stroke, paralysis or deterioration from
degenerative diseases such as arthritis or multiple
sclerosis.

AUDIOLOGIST -
Medical persons who evaluate and treat patients with impaired
hearing and balance. This includes the fitting and
dispensing of hearing aids.

PHYSIATRIST -
Medical doctor who specializes in rehabilitation medicine.
Frequently directs a team of medical professionals which can
include occupational and physical therapists.

PSYCHIATRIST -
A physician who specializes in dealing with the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional
disorders, such as psychoses, depression, anxiety disorders,
substance abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, sexual
dysfunctions, and adjustment reactions.

PSYCHOLOGIST -
A non-physician who specializes in the counseling and testing
of persons with mental, addictive, or emotional disorders.

PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER -
A psychiatric social worker is a social worker who usually
works in a psychiatric hospital, residential treatment
center, psychiatric unit of a general hospital, or a mental
health center. A psychiatric social worker assists
individuals and their families in dealing with social,
emotional, and environmental problems resulting from mental
illness or disability. A psychiatric social worker serves as
a link between the patient, psychiatrist, clinical
psychologist, family, and community.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is another type of
psychiatric social worker. An LCSW may practice at any one
of the above sites, but may also have his or her own private
practice and may bill independently.

Include visits to other social workers or counselors if the
visit would be reimbursed by insurance. That is, if there is
a charge for the service that an insurance company would pay
for, the service should be included.

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST -
A person trained to diagnose and treat emotional or mental
health problems, including, psychiatrists, psychologists,
counselors, social workers, etc.

HEALTH CLINIC -
Refers to a facility where medical care and advice are given
by doctors, nurses, or other medical persons, but is not
located at a hospital.

WALK-IN SURGI-CLINIC/CENTER -
A facility performing minor surgical procedures on an
outpatient basis, and NOT located in, or affiliated with a
hospital (i.e. NOT an outpatient department at a hospital).

COMPANY CLINIC -
A company doctor’s office or medical facility which is
operated principally for the employees (and sometimes their
dependents).

SCHOOL CLINIC -
A clinic which is operated principally for students (and
sometimes their dependents) who are enrolled at a college or
university.

INFIRMARY -
A place for care of sick or injured people, especially a
small hospital or dispensary in an institution such as a
school or other institution.

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CLINIC -
A free-standing facility located where it will be easy for
patients to go, which provides diagnostic and treatment
services. Neighborhood health clinics are frequently
maintained by government agencies or private organizations.

FAMILY PLANNING CENTER -
A facility that provides social, educational, or medical
services and supplies to help individuals determine family
size or prevent unplanned pregnancies. This may include
birth control counseling and referral, abortion services and
referral, pregnancy testing, sterilization counseling,
venereal disease referrals, public education service, and
infertility counseling and referrals.

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY -
A facility that provides the diagnosis, treatment, and care
of patients with mental disorders.

RETAIL CLINIC -
A clinic located inside a pharmacy, grocery store, or
discount retailer. (Examples include MinuteClinic, Take Care,
and Target Clinics.) These clinics may offer patients more
convenience and/or a lower cost for non-emergency care. The
services available at retail clinics typically include
diagnostic and preventive screenings as well as basic
immunizations. Some retail clinics with expanded services may
treat acute conditions and provide referral management.

DENTIST -
Medical persons whose primary occupation is caring for teeth,
gums, and jaws. Dental care includes general work such as
fillings, cleaning, extraction, and also specialized work
such as root canals, fittings for braces, etc.

DENTAL SURGEON/ ORAL SURGEON -
A dental surgeon is a specialist who deals with diseases,
injuries, and defects of the mouth and jaw through invasive
procedures. Includes specialties like endodontists,
prosthodontists and orthodontists.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) is a surgical
specialty devoted to the well-defined anatomical region of
the mouth, jaws and the face as well as associated
structures. Most oral surgeons are initially qualified in
dentistry and have undergone a further 4-6 years of specialty
surgical training.

ORTHODONTIST -
A dental specialist who deals with preventing and correcting
irregular teeth through devices such as braces and retainers.

DENTAL HYGIENIST -
A person who is licensed to give certain dental services
under the supervision of a dentist. These services include:
teeth cleaning, x-rays, applying medications, and educating
in dental matters.

DENTAL TECHNICIAN -
A person who works in a dental laboratory and prepares
dentures and other appliances such as orthodontic devices and
crowns to fit dental prescriptions.

DENTAL ASSISTANT -
A person who assists a dentist in patient care, and may
perform other functions in the dental office or laboratory.
Most dental assistants are trained by the dentist.

HOSPITAL STAY --
A visit to a hospital where a person is admitted to the
hospital. While most in-patient stays are 24-hours or
longer, a person need not have stayed overnight to have been
“admitted” to a hospital; it is possible to be admitted and
discharged on the same day.

EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a
hospital emergency room.

EMERGENCY ROOM -
A medical department at a hospital that is open 24 hours
a day where no appointment is necessary in order to
receive care. Medical care may be administered by a
physician, nurse, physician assistant, or other medical
provider. Do NOT include ‘urgent care centers’, which
are owned by, or affiliated with a hospital. Visits made
to that type of facility should be coded as an outpatient
department visit.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a
hospital outpatient department.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT –
A unit of a hospital, a facility, or ‘urgent care center’
owned by or affiliated with a hospital. The outpatient
department provides health and medical services to
individuals who do not require hospitalization overnight
and may also provide general primary care.

Do NOT include ‘urgent care centers’ which are not owned by,
or affiliated with a hospital. Urgent care centers which are
NOT affiliated with or owned by a hospital should be coded as
a Medical Provider visit. Include visits made to outpatient
departments for medical tests only.

An alternative care professional provides specific alternative
health care. The provider may have formalized training and received
certification by a licensing board or related professional
association, but some of these alternative care practices are not
usually taught in U.S. medical schools or generally available in U.S.
hospitals. Examples of alternative care providers are:

ACUPUNCTURIST –
Usually a medical person who uses a technique for relieving
pain, treating medical conditions, inducing regional
anesthesia, or improving general well-being, in which thin
needles are inserted into the body at specific points.
Acupuncture can also be practiced by medical doctors (MD’s).

MASSAGE THERAPIST –
A person who treats a health problem through manipulation,
methodical pressure, friction or kneading of the body.

HOMEOPATHIC –
A person who treats health problems based on a system of
medicine based on the principle of ‘like cures like.’
Substances that cause the symptoms of a particular health
problem are used in very small doses to treat the problem.

NATUROPATHIC –
A person who treats health problems based on the curative
abilities of nature’s elements, such as sun, water, air
and earth. Many naturopathic physicians also use modern
medical methods in conjunction with naturopathic therapies.

HERBALIST –
A person who uses plant-based substances to prevent or
treat a health problem or to maintain good health. Herbal
remedies are available in many forms, including pills,
liquids and crèmes.

ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY CARE –
Approaches to health care that are different from those
typically practiced by medical doctors in the U.S. Included
in this type of care are acupuncture, nutritional advice or
lifestyle diets, massage therapy, herbal remedies,
bio-feedback training, meditation, imagery, or relaxation
techniques, homeopathic treatment, spiritual healing or
prayer, hypnosis, and traditional medicine, such as Chinese,
Ayurvedic, American Indian, etc.

An independent laboratory or testing facility is independent of any
physician’s office or hospital. A physician may direct the laboratory
and perform diagnostic laboratory services for other physicians. If a
physician maintains a laboratory to complete diagnostic laboratory
services in connection with his own practice, it is not considered to
be an independent laboratory or testing facility.

SKILLED MEDICAL CARE --
Home care from a nurse, any type of therapist, a doctor, a social
worker, or anyone else providing nursing or medical care.

PERSONAL CARE --
Home care services including bathing, dressing, or help getting
around the house either paid or unpaid.

HOUSEHOLD CHORE SERVICES --
Help in the home with services like cooking or cleaning either
paid or unpaid.

COMPANIONSHIP--
Services such as reading, talking, or going for a walk, a drive,
or to a restaurant either paid or unpaid.

INPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY OR CONVALESCENT HOME -
A nursing facility primarily designed to provide a home-like
environment while patients recover from long-term illnesses or
medical procedures, or who require continued care for an
ongoing illness that is not in an acute stage. This is not
the same as a retirement home.

NURSING HOME -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled nursing
and other services to people who need nursing and personal
services as inpatients.

RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with mental or emotional disorders. Do not
include ‘day care’ facilities for persons with intellectual
disabilities.

RESIDENTIAL EATING DISORDER TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with eating disorders.

RESIDENTIAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with drug and/or alcohol addiction
disorders.

RESIDENTIAL ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with addiction disorders not classified
above (i.e., gambling, sexual).

HOSPICE CARE –
A type of program that provides care and support services to
the terminally ill. The intent is to allow the patient to live
as fully as possible. Care and support may come from a variety
of sources such as family, volunteers, nurses, social workers,
the clergy, as well as physicians.

Do NOT include hospice care services delivered at the patient’s
home. Care provided in the home should be coded as home health.

RESPITE CARE –
Care received for only a limited time by severely disabled or
impaired persons (e.g., quadriplegics, developmentally disabled
children or adults, or Alzheimer’s patients) in a long-term
health care place (e.g., a nursing home) or another person’s
home, as a way of providing an interval of rest or relief to
family members who are the usual primary caregivers at home.

EYEGLASSES --
Devices worn outside the eye to correct vision problems. A
magnifying glass for reading is not considered glasses.

CONTACT LENSES --
A curved shell of glass or plastic worn directly against the eye
to correct vision problems.

INSULIN --
A chemical used in the treatment of diabetes. Typically, insulin
is administered with a syringe by the patient.

SYRINGES(DIABETIC SUPPLIES)--
An instrument used to inject insulin into the body for treatment
of diabetes.

TEST PAPER(TEST STRIPS)--
Pre-treated paper, prescribed by a physician, used to gauge the
level of sugar present in the body at a given time.

OTHER DIABETIC EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES --
Any other type of diabetic equipment or supplies not listed here
that is typically prescribed by a physician; for example, a blood
glucose monitor machine, glucose meter, insulin pumps, lancets,
alcohol swabs or control solution.

AMBULANCE SERVICES -
Any charges associated with the use of an emergency vehicle used
for transporting patients to a health care facility after injury or
illness. Includes three basic types of emergency transportation:
ground or surface, helicopter, or airplane.

ORTHOPEDIC ITEMS -
Items used to prevent, correct, or assist with disorders of the
musculoskeletal system (e.g., skeleton, joints, muscles, ligaments,
etc.). Orthopedic items include, but are not limited to,
corrective shoes and inserts, braces, crutches, canes, walkers,
wheelchairs,and scooters.

HEARING DEVICES -
Items used to correct or assist with impaired hearing. Hearing
devices include, but are not limited to, hearing aids, amplifiers
for a telephone, adaptive speech equipment, and speech synthesizers

PROSTHESES -
An artificial replacement for a missing body part, such as an hand,
arm or leg, eye that is used for functional and/or cosmetic reasons

BATHROOM AIDS -
Items used to assist in the process of bathing, showering, or using
the toilet. Bathroom aids include, but are not limited to,
portable commodes, raised toilet seats, portable tub seats,
handrails, or other bathing equipment.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT -
Includes durable medical items used to assist with an impairment or
physical health problem. Medical equipment includes, but is not
limited to, hospital beds, lifts (used to help the person out of
chairs), monitors (used to measure body functions such as heart
rate, blood pressure, or breathing, intercom systems used to listen
to person, etc.), special chairs, oxygen, bed pans, adaptive
feeding equipment, vaporizers, and nebulizers.

DISPOSABLE SUPPLIES -
Includes disposable medical items used in the treatment of a health
problem. Disposable supplies include, but are not limited to,
ostomy supplies, bandages, dressings, tape, adult disposable
diapers, catheters, syringes, and IV supplies.

ALTERATIONS/MODIFICATIONS -
Alterations or modifications to the person’s home or automobile to
help him/her function better with his/her impairment or physical
problem. Examples of changes to the home include ramps, handrails,
elevators, or stair lifts. Examples of changes to the automobile
include special controls, mirrors, doors, or wheelchair lifts.

DENTIST --
Medical persons whose primary occupation is caring for teeth,
gums, and jaws. Dental care includes general work such as
fillings, cleaning, extraction, and also specialized work such as
root canals, fittings for braces, etc.

DENTAL SURGEON/ORAL SURGEON --
A dental surgeon is a specialist who deals with diseases,
injuries, and defects of the mouth and jaw through invasive
procedures. Includes specialties like endodontists,
prosthodontists and orthodontists.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMFS) is a surgical specialty
devoted to the well-defined anatomical region of the mouth, jaws
and the face as well as associated structures. Most oral surgeons
are initially qualified in dentistry and have undergone a further
4-6 years of specialty surgical training.

ORTHODONTIST --
A dental specialist who deals with preventing and correcting
irregular teeth through devices such as braces and retainers.

DENTAL HYGIENIST --
A person who is licensed to give certain dental services under
the supervision of a dentist. These services include: teeth
cleaning, x-rays, applying medications, and educating in dental
matters.

DENTAL TECHNICIAN --
A person who works in a dental laboratory and prepares
dentures and other appliances such as orthodontic devices and
crowns to fit dental prescriptions.

DENTAL ASSISTANT --
A person who assists a dentist in patient care, and may
perform other functions in the dental office or laboratory.
Most dental assistants are trained by the dentist.

MEDICAL DOCTOR --
Include both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy
(D.O.). Specific examples of physicians include:

Types of providers NOT to be counted as medical doctors are
chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, paramedics,
podiatrists, psychologists.

NURSE --
Includes several types of nursing specialists, such as registered
nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), nurse’s aide,
occupational health nurse, community health nurse, or public
health nurse (PHN).

NURSE PRACTITIONER --
A registered nurse (RN) who has completed additional training
beyond basic nursing education. They have qualifications which
permit them to carry out expanded health care evaluation and
decision-making regarding patient care.

NURSE MIDWIFE --
A nurse who provides medical care and treatment to ob/gyn
patients under the supervision of a physician or doctor. The
duties of a nurse midwife may include routine gynecological care,
delivering babies, instructing patients in prenatal and postnatal
health practices, instructing patient in the care of herself and
the infant, examinations, etc.

PHYSIATRIST --
Medical doctor who specializes in rehabilitation medicine.
Frequently directs a team of medical professionals which can
include occupational and physical therapists.

PSYCHIATRIST --
A physician who specializes in dealing with the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional
disorders, such as psychoses, depression, anxiety disorders,
substance abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, sexual
dysfunctions, and adjustment reactions.

PSYCHOLOGIST --
A non-physician who specializes in the counseling and testing of
persons with mental, addictive, or emotional disorders.

HOSPITAL STAY --
A visit to a hospital where a person is admitted to the
hospital. While most in-patient stays are 24-hours or longer, a
person need not have stayed overnight to have been “admitted” to
a hospital; it is possible to be admitted and discharged on the
same day.

EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a hospital
emergency room.

EMERGENCY ROOM –
A medical department at a hospital that is open 24 hours a
day where no appointment is necessary in order to receive
care. Medical care may be administered by a physician, nurse,
physician assistant, or other medical provider. Do NOT
include ‘urgent care centers’, which are owned by, or
affiliated with a hospital. Visits made to that type of
facility should be coded as an outpatient department visit.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a hospital
outpatient department.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT -
A unit of a hospital, a facility, or ‘urgent care center’
owned by or affiliated with a hospital. The outpatient
department provides health and medical services to
individuals who do not require hospitalization overnight and
may also provide general primary care.

Do NOT include ‘urgent care centers’ which are not owned by,
or affiliated with a hospital. Urgent care centers which are
NOT affiliated with or owned by a hospital should be coded as
a Medical Provider visit. Include visits made to outpatient
departments for medical tests only.

PARAMEDIC -
A medical person who is licensed to perform advanced cardiac
life support procedures and other emergency medical treatment
under the direction of a physician.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST -
A doctor of medicine (MD) who specializes in treating eye
diseases.

SPEECH THERAPIST -
A medical person trained in the application and use of
techniques aimed at improving language and speech disorders.

AUDIOLOGIST -
Medical persons who evaluate and treat patients with impaired
hearing and balance. This includes the fitting and
dispensing of hearing aids.

HEALTH CLINIC -
Refers to a facility where medical care and advice are given
by doctors, nurses, or other medical persons, but is not
located at a hospital.

WALK-IN SURGI-CLINIC/CENTER -
A facility performing minor surgical procedures on an
outpatient basis, and NOT located at a hospital (i.e. NOT an
outpatient department at a hospital).

COMPANY CLINIC -
A company doctor’s office or medical facility which is
operated principally for the employees (and sometimes their
dependents).

SCHOOL CLINIC -
A clinic which is operated principally for students (and
sometimes their dependents) who are enrolled at a college or
university.

INFIRMARY -
A place for care of sick or injured people, especially a
small hospital or dispensary in an institution such as a
school or other institution.

FAMILY PLANNING CENTER -
A facility that provides social, educational, or medical
services and supplies to help individuals determine family
size or prevent unplanned pregnancies. This may include birth
control counseling and referral, abortion services and
referral, pregnancy testing, sterilization counseling,
venereal disease referrals, public education service, and
infertility counseling and referrals.

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY -
A facility that provides the diagnosis, treatment, and care
of patients with mental disorders.

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST -
A person trained to diagnose and treat emotional or mental
health problems, including, psychiatrists, psychologists,
counselors, social workers, etc.

INPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY OR CONVALESCENT HOME --
A nursing facility primarily designed to provide a home-like
environment while patients recover from long-term illnesses or
medical procedures or who require continued care for an ongoing
illness that is not in an acute stage. This is not the same as a
retirement home.

NURSING HOME --
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled nursing and
other services to people who need nursing and personal services as
inpatients.

RESIDENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT CENTER --
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with mental or emotional disorders. Do not
include ‘day care’ facilities for persons with intellectual
disabilities.

RESIDENTIAL EATING DISORDER TREATMENT CENTER –-
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with eating disorders.

RESIDENTIAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER –-
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with drug and/or alcohol addiction
disorders.

RESIDENTIAL ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER –-
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with addiction disorders not classified
above (i.e., gambling, sexual).

HOSPICE CARE –-
A type of program that provides care and support services to
the terminally ill. The intent is to allow the patient to live
as fully as possible. Care and support may come from a variety
of sources such as family, volunteers, nurses, social workers,
the clergy, as well as physicians.

Do NOT include hospice care services delivered at the patient’s
home. Care provided in the home should be coded as home health.

RESPITE CARE –-
Care received for only a limited time by severely disabled or
impaired persons (e.g., quadriplegics, developmentally disabled
children or adults, or Alzheimer’s patients) in a long-term
health care place (e.g., a nursing home) or another person’s
home, as a way of providing an interval of rest or relief to
family members who are the usual primary caregivers at home.

HOSPITAL STAY --
A visit to a hospital where a person is admitted to the hospital.
While most in-patient stays are 24-hours or longer, a person need
not have stayed overnight to have been “admitted” to a hospital;
it is possible to be admitted and discharged on the same day.

EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a hospital
emergency room.

EMERGENCY ROOM –
A medical department at a hospital that is open 24 hours a day
where no appointment is necessary in order to receive care.
Medical care may be administered by a physician, nurse,
physician assistant, or other medical provider. Do NOT include
‘urgent care centers’, which are owned by, or affiliated with
a hospital. Visits made to that type of facility should be
coded as an outpatient department visit.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a hospital
outpatient department.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT –
A unit of a hospital, a facility, or ‘urgent care center’ owned
By or affiliated with a hospital. The outpatient department
Provides health and medical services to individuals who do not
require hospitalization overnight and may also provide general
primary care.

Do NOT include ‘urgent care centers’ which are not owned by,
or affiliated with a hospital. Urgent care centers which are
NOT affiliated with or owned by a hospital should be coded as
a Medical Provider visit. Include visits made to outpatient
departments for medical tests only.

MEDICAL PROVIDER VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a specific
setting of care where a medical provider was seen. Settings of
care can include: a private doctor’s office, a clinic, a health
maintenance organization (HMO), an independent laboratory or X-ray
facility or an ‘urgent care center’ not owned by or affiliated
with a hospital.

MEDICAL PROVIDER –
A doctor, nurse, or any other medical person or place that
delivers medical or health related care.

DENTAL CARE VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a dental
care provider for the purpose of dental care.

DENTAL CARE PROVIDER –
Medical persons whose primary occupation is caring for teeth,
gums, and jaws. Dental care includes general work such as
fillings, cleaning, extractions, and also specialized work such
as root canals, fittings for braces, etc.

HOME HEALTH VISIT --
Visits to the home from persons (e.g. nurses, home health aides,
social workers, therapists, or medical doctors) who provide help
to a person who has a health problem or condition.

Non-medical services such as cleaning or cooking may be included
if the service is provided because a person has a health problem.
Such a person can be paid or unpaid, such as a friend, neighbor,
relative or volunteer.

COLLECTED AT ALL ROUNDS:

Any purchase made during the reference period of one of the
following types of medical supplies:

If, during the calendar year, the person purchased or obtained
multiple items from a single group, such as oxygen AND a hospital
bed (both considered medical equipment), create only one OM event
in CAPI.

If a person obtained multiple items from different groupings, such
as a portable commode (bathroom aids) AND a wheelchair (orthopedic
items) during the calendar year, then two OM events should be
created in CAPI.

INSTITUTIONAL/LONG TERM HEALTH CARE STAY EVENT --
When an RU member is admitted to one of the following types of
health care institutions (which are not a hospital or a permanent
residence):

INPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITY OR CONVALESCENT HOME –
A nursing facility primarily designed to provide a home-like
environment while patients recover from long-term illnesses
or medical procedures, or who require continued care for an
ongoing illness that is not in an acute stage. This is not
the same as a retirement home.

NURSING HOME -
An institution that provides continuous skilled nursing and
other services to people who need nursing and personal services
as inpatients.

RESIDENTIAL EATING DISORDER TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with eating disorders.

RESIDENTIAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with drug and/or alcohol addiction
disorders.

RESIDENTIAL ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER –
A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment
services to patients with addiction disorders not classified
above (i.e., gambling, sexual).

FRIEND/NEIGHBOR --
A medical or non-medical person providing some type of home
health services to the RU member. This person must fulfill the
following requirements:

RELATIVE --
A medical or non-medical person providing some type of home
health services to the RU member. This person must fulfill the
following requirements:

VOLUNTEER --
A medical or non-medical person providing some type of home
health services to the RU member. This person must fulfill the
following requirements:

OTHER-PAID --
A medical or non-medical person, group or agency providing some
type of home health services to the RU member. Any type of
provider who was PAID (other than a relative) should be included
in this group.

MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE --
Any public or private services that ONLY provide meals to
individuals at home. For example, Meals-on-Wheels.

HOME HEALTH CARE includes services received due to a health problem
or condition. These services may be medical (e.g., physical therapy;
checking temperature, blood pressure, and pulse and respiration
rates; or helping to give medications) or personal (e.g., cleaning,
repairs, cooking, or companionship).

UNCLE --
The brother of one’s father or mother or the husband of one’s
aunt.

COMPANION --
Persons who care for elderly, disabled, or convalescent
persons by attending to the patient’s personal needs, reading
aloud, playing cards, or other games to entertain the RU
member because of the RU member’s health problem.

DOMESTIC WORKER --
Persons who provide cleaning, cooking, or other household
chores services for the RU member because of his or her
health problem.

HOUSE CLEANER --
Persons who provide cleaning services for the RU member
because of his or her health problem.

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL --
A person whose job is to provide medical treatment, nursing
care, or therapy to persons with health problems. Examples
include medical doctors, nurses, and physical therapists.

HOMEMAKER --
Persons who advise or help the RU member in dealing with
problems, such as nutrition, cleanliness, and household
utilities because of his or her health problem.

HOME HEALTH AIDE --
A certified health care worker who provides personal care and
home management services to allow patients to live in their own
homes. Working under the supervision of a physician or registered
nurse, the home health aide may provide any of the following
services: patient bathing, exercise, dressing, assisting the
patient with medications, checking patient temperature, blood
pressure, respiration, and pulse.

NURSE’S AIDE --
Persons who may perform any combination of tasks, and may be
directed by nursing and medical staff, to care for patients at
home. Their duties may include bathing patients; giving alcohol
rubs; measuring and recording the intake and output of liquids;
taking and recording temperature, pulse and respiration rates;
examining equipment to detect maintenance needs and notifying the
supervisor of these needs.

PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT --
Non-medical persons who are usually paid (but can be unpaid) who
help a disabled persons perform activities of daily living
including: bathing, dressing, meal preparation, feeding, paying
bills, and transportation.

DIETITIAN/NUTRITIONIST --
Persons concerned with the application of the principles of
nutrition to plan and supervise the preparation and serving of
meals. Includes planning menus and diets for special nutritional
requirements; participating in research; or instructing in the
field of nutrition.

HOME HEALTH AIDE --
A certified health care worker who provides personal care and
home management services to allow patients to live in their own
homes. Working under the supervision of a physician or
registered nurse, the home health aide may provide any of the
following services: patient bathing, exercise, dressing,
assisting the patient with medications, checking patient
temperature, blood pressure, respiration, and pulse.

HOSPICE WORKER --
A person who provides health and personal care in the home to
persons who are dying. They may administer medical treatments,
help people bathe, dress, and eat, or help them manage their
household affairs.

I.V./INFUSION THERAPIST --
A person who administers, monitors, and maintains equipment which
is used to provide medication or nutrition intravenously (placed
in a person’s body by inserting a needle into a vein). The
needle is attached to a tube and bag, and is left in place for an
extended period of time. The bag is replaced when empty.

MEDICAL DOCTOR --
Include both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy
(D.O.). Specific examples of physicians include:

Types of providers NOT to be counted as medical doctors are
chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, paramedics,
podiatrists, psychologists.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST --
Medical persons who are concerned with improving the person’s
ability to perform self-help tasks, tasks that are associated
with employment activities, or tasks that allow an individual
to more fully enjoy and participate in leisure time activities.
Occupational therapy is used in retraining individuals after
illnesses and accidents, as well as providing ongoing help to
persons with more permanent disabilities from stroke, paralysis
or deterioration from degenerative diseases such as arthritis or
multiple sclerosis.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST --
Medical person who is concerned with the treatment of
musculoskeletal disorders with physical agents and methods --
such as massage, manipulation, therapeutic exercises, cold, heat,
hydrotherapy, electric stimulation, and light -- to assist in
rehabilitating patients and in restoring normal function after
an illness or injury.

RESPIRATORY THERAPIST --
Respiratory therapists (RT) specialize in the assessment and
treatment of breathing disorders resulting from chronic lung
problems (e.g. asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, COPD), as well as
breathing disorders stemming from other conditions such as heart
attack, stroke, or trauma. Respiratory therapists are specialists
in airway management, mechanical ventilation, acid/base balance,
and critical care medicine.

SOCIAL WORKER --
A person who assists patients and their families in handling
social, environmental, and emotional problems associated with
illness or injury. Can include social work specialists, such as
a medical or psychiatric social worker.

SPEECH THERAPIST --
A medical person trained in the application and use of techniques
aimed at improving language and speech disorders.

PERSON --
The provider works individually, that is, the provider is not
associated with any group practice, HMO, clinic, etc.

FACILITY --
The provider is either a place, such as a hospital, clinic,
emergency room, laboratory, etc., or the provider is an
individual who is associated with a group practice, HMO, clinic,
etc.

This category does not include individual providers or facilities
all working at the same location, such as a ‘medical building’
which houses several INDEPENDENTLY functioning medical offices,
laboratories, doctors, etc.

EMERGENCY ROOM --
A medical department at a hospital that is open 24 hours a day
where no appointment is necessary in order to receive care.
Medical care may be administered by a physician, nurse, physician
assistant, or other medical provider. Do NOT include ‘urgent
care centers’, which are owned by, or affiliated with a hospital.
Visits made to that type of facility should be coded as an
outpatient department visit.

HOSPITAL STAY --
A visit to a hospital where a person is admitted to the hospital.
While most in-patient stays are 24-hours or longer, a person need
not have stayed overnight to have been “admitted” to a hospital;
it is possible to be admitted and discharged on the same day.

EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a hospital
emergency room.

OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a hospital
outpatient department.

MEDICAL PROVIDER VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a specific
setting of care where a medical provider was seen. Settings of
care can include: a private doctor’s office, a clinic, a health
maintenance organization (HMO), an independent laboratory or X-
ray facility or an ‘urgent care center’ not owned by or
affiliated with a hospital.

MEDICAL PROVIDER –
A doctor, nurse, or any other medical person or place that
delivers medical or health related care.

DENTAL CARE VISIT --
Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a dental
care provider for the purpose of dental care.

OPERATION OR SURGICAL PROCEDURE --
Choose this category only if the surgical procedure best
describes the reason for the hospital admission. A woman who
gave birth by cesarean section should not be coded under
operation or surgical procedure because her primary purpose for
entering the hospital was to give birth. An operation or
surgical procedure includes any procedure which involves
cutting into the skin, including stitching of cuts and wounds.
For this question, surgery includes the following:

Injections, transfusions and routine blood tests are not
considered surgery here, nor are pumping or washing out the
stomach or bowels.

TREATMENT OR THERAPY FOR A MEDICAL CONDITION, NOT INCLUDING
SURGERY --
The application of non-surgical remedies to counteract the
effects of a disease or health care problem. Some examples are
therapeutic radiation and chemotherapy. Therapy for MENTAL
health problems should not be included.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ONLY --
This category will be chosen if the main reason for the
hospital stay is for the administration of examinations or
tests to detect the presence of a disease or physical problem.
Exclude hospital stays resulting from the treatment of a
disease or physical problem.

GIVE BIRTH TO A BABY - NORMAL OR CESAREAN SECTION (MOTHER) --
Hospital stay due to the emergence and separation of offspring
from the body of the mother. Includes normal childbirth
(delivery of baby through the birth canal) and cesarean
section (surgical operation for delivering a baby by cutting
through the mother’s abdominal and uterine walls).

PREGNANCY RELATED COMPLICATIONS --
Code this category only to capture a hospital stay due to a reason
related to a woman’s pregnancy, where the result was NOT a live
birth. This could include reasons such as stillbirth, miscarriage,
placenta previa, or other pregnancy-related complications that
resulted in a hospital-stay admission. If the result was a live
birth, regardless of any related complication, use the code ‘GIVE
BIRTH TO A BABY’

OPERATIONS/SURGICAL PROCEDURES --
Any procedure which involves cutting into the skin, including
stitching of cuts and wounds. For this question, surgery
includes the following:

ICU --
An intensive care unit (ICU) is a specialized department used in
many hospitals that provides close monitoring nursing and medical
care for critically ill patients. They are characterized by
continuous nursing and medical supervision and by the use of
sophisticated monitoring devices and resuscitative equipment.
Include any unit designated as intensive care such as:

VAGINAL DELIVERY --
Delivery of an infant through the normal openings of the
uterus and vagina.

CAESAREAN SECTION --
Surgical operation for delivering a baby by cutting through
the mother’s abdominal and uterine walls.

PRESCRIBED MEDICINE --
Prescribed medicines are those ordered by a physician or other
authorized medical person through a written or verbal
prescription for a pharmacist to fill. Prescription medicines
can also be given by a medical provider directly to a patient
to take home, such as free samples. (Free samples are collected
separately in the Prescribed Medicine Section at question PM06.)

Prescription medicines do NOT include:

Some state laws require prescriptions for certain over-the-
counter medicines. Sometimes physicians write a prescription
for over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin. Therefore,
consider any medicine a prescribed medicine if the respondent
reports it as prescribed. If it is an over-the-counter drug,
however, the prescription must be a written one to be filled
by a pharmacist, not just an oral instruction. If in doubt,
probe whether the patient got a WRITTEN prescription to fill
at a pharmacy. If there is still any doubt, report the
medicine as a prescription medicine.

MEDICAL DOCTOR --
Include both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of
osteopathy (D.O.). Specific examples of physicians include:

Types of providers NOT to be counted as medical doctors are
chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, paramedics,
podiatrists, psychologists.

The purpose of this question is to identify the BEST category of
care the person received during this visit to the emergency room.
Code only one response.

DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT FOR A HEALTH PROBLEM --
DIAGNOSIS is an examination or test to detect the presence of a
disease or other physical problem. TREATMENT is any procedure
to counteract the effects of a disease or health care problem.

An example of a visit for ‘diagnosis and treatment’ is a person
who had a fever and a sore throat: the provider DIAGNOSED the
condition as the flu, and recommended TREATMENT of bed rest and
aspirin.

Even if the provider determines the person does NOT have a
health condition or if the provider is unable to determine what
the problem is, the visit was for purposes of diagnosis
regardless of the outcome of the examination.

If the only care received during the visit was tests such as
blood work or x-rays, consider this ‘diagnosis or treatment for
a health problem’ even if there is no known condition. For
example, if a woman has a baseline mammogram, this is
considered ‘diagnosis’ even if no condition is suspected or
discovered.

EMERGENCY (E.G., ACCIDENT OR INJURY) --
Refers to immediate care intended to assess and address an
acute problem that has the patient in extreme discomfort or
threatens his/her life.

PSYCHOTHERAPY OR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING --
A treatment technique for certain forms of mental disorders
relying principally on verbal communications between the mental
health professional and the patient. Can be individual,
family, and/or group therapies. Include care provided by any
type of health professional so long as treatment is for MENTAL
health. Does NOT include visits with clergy to discuss
personal problems. Any other professional mental health
therapist such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor,
social worker, etc. would be included.

FOLLOW-UP OR POST-OPERATIVE VISIT --
Includes visits to check on patient’s progress after some type of
surgery or other medical treatment. This includes visits to
verify that patient has fully recovered, to remove stitches or a
cast, or to adjust medications.

VISION EXAM --
A test of the patient’s eyesight, either to determine whether
any correction by glasses/contact lenses is needed, or to
determine if a different degree of correction is needed.

PREGNANCY RELATED (INCLUDING PRENATAL CARE AND DELIVERY)--
Consultations and examinations relating to pregnancy, i.e.,
prenatal (or before delivery) and postnatal (or after delivery)
care of the mother up to six weeks after childbirth.

This category also includes normal childbirth (delivery of the
baby through the birth canal) and cesarean section (surgical
operation for delivering a baby by cutting through the mother’s
abdominal and uterine walls).

LABORATORY TESTS --
The non-invasive collection of samples of blood, urine, or any
other body fluids, tissues, or other substances to be examined
by a medical person in order to get more information about the
patient’s condition. This includes the collection of stool
samples, or cells from smears like Pap tests. Test should be
coded here if the specimen was collected during the particular
event, regardless of where or when the specimens were examined.

THROAT SWAB –-
A doctor or other health professional wipes the back of the
patient’s throat with a long cotton swab. The swab is then
tested in the office or sent to an outside laboratory. This may
also be known as a throat culture or strep screen.

SONOGRAM OR ULTRASOUND --
A photographic image of an internal region of the body obtained
from the reflection patterns of high frequency sound waves.

X-RAYS --
A photographic image of a person’s skeleton and internal organs
obtained by exposing the patient to a limited amount of
radiation. ‘X-ray’ here means simple x-rays which do not
involve ingestion of any substance or any more complicated
imaging equipment. This process is used to diagnose broken
bones, lung disease, etc. This category includes barium x-rays.

MAMMOGRAM --
An x-ray photograph of the breasts, usually used to detect
breast cancer.

MRI OR CATSCAN --
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a non-invasive process
that generates electronic images of specific atoms and
molecular structures inside the human body such as cells,
tissues, and organs. The process uses a magnetic field outside
the body to generate images.

A CATSCAN is a computerized x-ray image of the internal body
structures, displayable in various cross-sections. This is also
referred to as CT imaging.

EKG OR ECG --
These are both abbreviations for electrocardiogram which is a
graphic record of the electrical activity of the heart.

EEG --
EEG is an abbreviation for electroencephalogram which is a
graphic record of the electrical activity of the brain.

VACCINATION --
A shot or oral medication given to the patient to prevent
him/her from contracting a communicable disease.

ANESTHESIA --
The loss of sensation induced by an anesthetic and limited to a
specific area (local anesthesia) or involving a loss of
consciousness (general anesthesia).

OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST --
Include any other non-invasive test performed with chemicals or
machines on body tissue or fluid samples and any test of range
of motion, sensitivity, etc. performed by a medical person
directly on a patient.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE --
Any procedure which involves cutting into the skin, including
stitching of cuts and wounds. For this question, surgery
includes the following:

CHIROPRACTOR --
Medical persons who practice a system of medicine based on the
principles that the nervous system largely determines the state
of health and that disease results from nervous system
malfunctioning. Treatment consists primarily of the adjustment
and manipulation of parts of the body, especially the spinal
column.

DENTIST/DENTAL CARE PERSON --
Medical persons whose primary occupation is caring for teeth,
gums, and jaws. Dental care includes general work such as
fillings, cleaning, extractions, and also specialized work such
as root canals, fittings for braces, etc.

NURSE/NURSE PRACTITIONER --
The term NURSE includes several types of nursing specialists,
such as registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN),
nurse’s aide, occupational health nurse, community health nurse,
or public health nurse (PHN).

A NURSE PRACTITIONER is a registered nurse (RN) who has
completed additional training beyond basic nursing education.
They have qualifications which permit them to carry out
expanded health care evaluation and decision-making regarding
patient care.

OPTOMETRIST --
A medical person who examines the eyes and vision system for
visual defects, diagnoses eye impairments, prescribes
corrective lenses, and provides other types of treatment. Not
to be confused with medical doctors who specialize in treating
eye diseases, such as ophthalmologists.

PODIATRIST --
A podiatrist (DPM) (sometimes referred to as a ‘foot doctor’),
is a medical person who deals with examination, diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of diseases, conditions, and
malfunctions affecting the human foot and its related
structures.

PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT --
A Physician’s Assistant (PA) is a medical person who provides
health care services with the direction and supervision of a
doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathic physician (DO).
Physician’s Assistants train for several years in order to earn
the certification to perform diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive,
and health maintenance services. Not to be confused with non-
medical persons who also ‘assist’ the physician.

PSYCHOLOGIST --
A non-physician who specializes in the counseling and testing of
persons with mental, addictive, or emotional disorders.

TECHNICIAN --
A person with the knowledge and skill to carry out a specific
technical medical procedure, such as an x-ray technician.

ACUPUNCTURIST --
Usually a medical person who uses a technique for relieving pain,
treating medical conditions, inducing regional anesthesia, or
improving general well-being, in which thin needles are inserted
into the body at specific points. Acupuncture can also be
practiced by medical doctors (MD’s).

MASSAGE THERAPIST --
A person who treats a health problem through manipulation,
methodical pressure, friction or kneading of the body.

HOMEOPATHIC/NATUROPATHIC/HERBALIST/OTHER ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY
CARE PROVIDER --

NATUROPATHIC –
A person who treats health problems based on the curative
abilities of nature’s elements, such as sun, water, air and
earth. Many naturopathic physicians also use modern medical
methods in conjunction with naturopathic therapies.

HERBALIST –
A person who uses plant-based substances to prevent or treat
a health problem or to maintain good health. Herbal remedies
are available in many forms, including pills, liquids and
crèmes.

ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY CARE –
Approaches to health care that are different from those
typically practiced by medical doctors in the U.S. Included
in this type of care are acupuncture, nutritional advice or
lifestyle diets, massage therapy, herbal remedies, bio-
feedback training, meditation, imagery, or relaxation
techniques, homeopathic treatment, spiritual healing or
prayer, hypnosis, and traditional medicine, such as Chinese,
Ayurvedic, American Indian, etc.

GENERAL CHECKUP --
A visit to determine the general state of a person’s health.
Includes physical examinations required to obtain employment, for
college entrance, to obtain insurance, periodic (yearly) general
checkups, visits to the well-baby clinic, etc. NOT included are
visits for a checkup or examination for a SPECIFIC CONDITION such
as TB or a heart condition.

DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT FOR A HEALTH PROBLEM --
DIAGNOSIS is an examination or test to detect the presence of a
disease or other physical problem. TREATMENT is any procedure
to counteract the effects of a disease or health care problem.

An example of a visit for ‘diagnosis and treatment’ is a person
who had a fever and a sore throat: the provider DIAGNOSED the
condition as the flu, and recommended TREATMENT of bed rest and
aspirin.

Even if the provider determines a person in fact does NOT have
a health condition, the visit was for purposes of diagnosis
regardless of the outcome of the examination.

If the only care received during the visit was tests such as
blood work or x-rays, consider this ‘diagnosis or treatment for
a health problem’ even if there is no known condition. For
example, if a woman has a baseline mammogram, this is
considered ‘diagnosis’ even if no condition is suspected or
discovered.

EMERGENCY (E.G., ACCIDENT OR INJURY) --
Refers to immediate care intended to assess and address an acute
problem that has the patient in extreme discomfort or threatens
his/her life.

PSYCHOTHERAPY OR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING --
A treatment technique for certain forms of mental disorders
relying principally on verbal communications between the mental
health professional and the patient. Can be individual, family,
and/or group therapies. Include care provided by any type of
health professional so long as treatment is for MENTAL health.
Does NOT include visits with clergy to discuss personal problems.
Any other professional mental health therapist such as a
psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor, social worker, etc. would
be included.

IMMUNIZATIONS OR SHOTS --
IMMUNIZATIONS are oral medications or shots given to the patient
to prevent the patient from contracting a communicable disease.

SHOTS are hypodermic injections. This category includes allergy
shots.

VISION EXAM --
A test of the patient’s eyesight, either to determine whether any
correction by glasses/contact lenses is needed, or to determine
if a different degree of correction is needed.

WELL CHILD EXAM --
One of a series of routine examinations of an infant given to
monitor the infant’s growth and development. If an infant goes
only for an immunization, code as ‘immunization or shots’. If
the immunization is part of a well child visit, code as ‘well
child exam’. This term applies not just to infants, but toddlers,
preschoolers and often older children.

The purpose of this question is to identify any ‘repeat visits’ that
were made, that is where the person visited the same provider more
than once for the same condition.

REPEAT VISITS --
Any visit to the same medical provider for the same condition
and services with the same charge as another visit.

COST THE SAME AMOUNT --
Sometimes the respondent will not know the actual charge for any
(or some) of the visits, but always makes the same copayment for
each visit. As long as the visits were for the same condition(s)
and the same services were received at each visit, code this
question as ‘YES’ (visits were all for the same amount).

PSYCHOLOGIST --
A non-physician who specializes in the counseling and testing
of persons with mental, addictive, or emotional disorders.

TECHNICIAN --
A person with the knowledge and skill to carry out a specific
technical medical procedure, such as an x-ray technician.

RECEPTIONIST, CLERK, SECRETARY --
A person who assists a medical person in performing clerical
tasks, such as scheduling appointments, filing and maintaining
medical records, billing, and answering the telephone.

MASSAGE THERAPIST --
A person who treats a health problem through manipulation,
methodical pressure, friction or kneading of the body.

HOMEOPATHIC/NATUROPATHIC/HERBALIST/OTHER ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY
CARE PROVIDER --

HERBALIST –
A person who uses plant-based substances to prevent or treat
a health problem or to maintain good health. Herbal remedies
are available in many forms, including pills, liquids and
crèmes.

ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY CARE –
Approaches to health care that are different from those
typically practiced by medical doctors in the U.S. Included
in this type of care are acupuncture, nutritional advice or
lifestyle diets, massage therapy, herbal remedies, bio-
feedback training, meditation, imagery, or relaxation
techniques, homeopathic treatment, spiritual healing or
prayer, hypnosis, and traditional medicine, such as Chinese,
Ayurvedic, American Indian, etc.

ARTHROSCOPIC (VISUALIZATION OF JOINTS) SURGERY --
Surgery involving arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is direct joint
visualization by means of an arthroscope.

CLEANING OR MEDICAL TREATMENT OF WOUND, INFECTION, OR BURN --
Removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from
wounds, infections, or burns.

REMOVAL OF DISEASED TISSUE (EXCISION OF LESION) --
Cutting away or taking out a circumscribed area of
pathologically altered tissue, an injury or wound, or a single
infected patch in a skin disease.

STITCHES (WOUND SUTURE) --
Operation or uniting parts by stitching them together. Suture
is the thread for sewing up wounds or surgical incisions.
Stitches fashioned from the thread are also called sutures.
The stitching process is known as suturing.

EAR TUBES (TYMPANOSTOMY TUBES) --
Tubes placed through the ear drum (tympanic membrane) to allow
ventilation of the middle ear as part of the treatment of ear
infections (otitis media with effusion).

GENERAL DENTIST --
A general dentist conducts routine examinations, fills cavities,
extracts teeth (except for wisdom teeth), and performs services
not done by the specialists listed in the other parts of this
question.

DENTAL TECHNICIAN --
A person who works in a dental laboratory and prepares dentures
and other appliances such as orthodontic devices and crowns to
fit dental prescriptions.

ORTHODONTIST --
A dental specialist who deals with preventing and correcting
irregular teeth through devices such as braces and retainers.

ENDODONTIST --
A dental specialist who performs root canal work and otherwise
deals with diseases of the dental pulp and roots.

PERIODONTIST --
A dental specialist who deals with diseases in the bone,
connective tissue, and gums surrounding and supporting the
teeth.

GENERAL EXAM, CHECKUP OR CONSULTATION --
Refers to the activity performed by either a dentist or a
dental hygienist to determine whether cavities or gum disease
have developed, or whether examination by a specialist may be
necessary.

CLEANING, PROPHYLAXIS, OR POLISHING --
Refers to activities performed by a dentist or dental
hygienist to maintain healthy teeth and prevent cavities.
Cleaning includes scraping tartar deposits off teeth, both
above and below the gumline.

X-RAYS, RADIOGRAPHS AND BITEWINGS --
All are different names for photographic images of the teeth
obtained through the use of small amounts of radiation.
These images are used to discover hidden cavities and flaws
in teeth.

FLUORIDE TREATMENT --
The application of a solution containing the chemical
fluoride, which is intended to make the teeth more resistant
to tooth decay.

SEALANT (PLASTIC COATINGS ON BACK TEETH) --
The application of a material to close fissures, grooves, or
pits on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

FILLINGS --
A substance of plastic, amalgam, gold, etc. which is used to
close a cavity in a decayed tooth. The substance is placed
directly into the cleaned cavity and then shaped to match
the rest of the tooth.

INLAYS --
A filling of metal, porcelain, or the like which is first
shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into it. The inlay
is prepared outside of the patient’s mouth.

CROWNS OR CAPS --
An artificial substitute for the part of a tooth above the
gumline. Can be made of gold, porcelain, etc.

ROOT CANAL --
A procedure in which the pulp of an injured or dead tooth is
removed and replaced with a filling in order to save the
tooth.

PERIODONTAL SCALING, ROOT PLANNING, OR GUM SURGERY --
Procedures or surgeries that treat diseases in the bone,
connective tissue, and gums surrounding and supporting the
teeth.

PERIODONTAL RECALL VISIT (PERIODIC OR REGULAR) --
Refers to periodontal treatment that occurs on a periodic or
regular basis.

EXTRACTION, TOOTH PULLED --
Removal of a tooth; includes both adult and baby teeth.

IMPLANTS --
Metal posts permanently imbedded in the jawbone to which
false teeth are attached.

ABSCESS OR INFECTION TREATMENT --
Refers to care for a localized area of the gum surrounding a
tooth.

FIXED BRIDGES --
A fixed replacement for one or several natural teeth,
attached at each end to a natural tooth.

DENTURES OR REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES --
False teeth that are removable from the mouth.

RELINING OR REPAIR OF BRIDGES OR DENTURES --
Includes replacing false teeth and repairing the supporting
structure for false teeth, including the portion covering
the gums.

ORTHODONTIA, BRACES, OR RETAINERS --
Refers to services and appliances fitted to some or all
teeth to correct irregularly spaced teeth.

BONDING, WHITENING, OR BLEACHING --
Processes used to improve the appearance of teeth by either
using chemical to whiten them or by applying an overlay to
cover stained or discolored teeth.

TREATMENT FOR TMD (TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS) OR
TMJ (TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT) --
TMD refers to various problems associated with the TMJ,
which connects the lower jaw to the skull. The major
symptom is pain in the jaws, face, head or neck, which may
be associated with dislocations, difficulty opening the
mouth and decreased jaw function. Numerous therapies may be
performed. Most are conservative (moist heat, massage,
mouth guards, medication, bite adjustments). Some persons
receive extensive reconstruction of teeth with crowns, or
surgery on the jaw and jaw point.

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) --
Persons who provide general nursing care to patients at home.
These person must have received training in order to be certified
to perform these duties. Duties may include things such as
administering prescribed medicines and treatment in accordance
with approved nursing techniques. They may record significant
conditions and reactions and notify their supervisor of the
patient’s condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and
significant incidents. They may also take the patient’s
temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs to
detect deviations from normal.

COMPANION --
Persons who care for elderly, disabled, or convalescent persons
by attending to the patient’s personal needs, reading aloud,
playing cards, or other games to entertain the RU member because
of the RU member’s health problem.

HOME HEALTH/HOME CARE AIDE --
A health worker who provides personal care and home management
services to allow patients to live in their own homes. A home
health aide may work under the supervision of a physician or
registered nurse and may help patients bathe, exercise, and
dress. He or she may check the patient’s temperature, blood
pressure, and pulse and respiration rates; give massages and help
give medications.

HOMEMAKER --
Persons who advise or help the RU member in dealing with
problems, such as nutrition, cleanliness, and household utilities
because of his or her health problem.

MEDICAL DOCTOR --
Include both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy
(D.O.). Specific examples of physicians include:

Types of providers NOT to be counted as medical doctors are
chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, paramedics,
podiatrists, psychologists.

SPEECH THERAPIST --
A medical person trained in the application and use of techniques
aimed at improving language and speech disorders.

HOSPITALIZATION --
A medical event when a person is admitted to a hospital. Note
that a person need not have stayed overnight to be considered
‘hospitalized’ or ‘admitted’ to a hospital. A person may be
admitted and discharged on the same day.

HEALTH PROBLEM --
Diseases or ailments. A disease is an illness or disorder
of the function of the body or of certain tissues, organs, or
systems, which is characterized by an identifiable group of
symptoms. An ailment is a mild mental or physical disorder.
An example of a health problem is influenza; some of its
symptoms are fever, chills, and dizziness. Health problems may
be either physical or mental.

Be sure to record health problems only; do not record symptoms
here unless the respondent cannot give a condition name.

Make sure that the prescribed medicine reported by the respondent
for this question has not already been reported in a prior question.

PRESCRIPTIONS --
Prescribed medicines are those ordered by a physician or other
authorized medical person through a written or verbal
prescription for a pharmacist to fill. Prescription medicines
can also be given by a medical provider directly to a patient
to take home, such as free samples. (Free samples are collected
separately in the Prescribed Medicine Section at question PM06.)

Prescription medicines do NOT include:

Some state laws require prescriptions for certain over-the-
counter medicines. Sometimes physicians write a prescription for
over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin. Therefore, consider any
medicine a prescribed medicine if the respondent reports it as
prescribed. If it is an over-the-counter drug, however, the
prescription must be a written one to be filled by a
pharmacist, not just an oral instruction. If in doubt, probe
whether the patient got a WRITTEN prescription to fill at a
pharmacy. If there is still any doubt, report the medicine as a
prescription medicine.

REFILLS --
A medicine is refilled for the person whose name appears on the
prescription label. Usually, prescriptions have specified
limits to the number of times they can be refilled.

Even if the medicine ends up being taken by someone else,
record only the person the prescription was written for.

FREE SAMPLES --
Limited amounts of a prescription medication which are given out
by doctors to patients free of charge, sometimes in lieu of a
written or verbal prescription.

MAIL-ORDER --
Refers to a service that delivers prescriptions through either
the mail, a rapid mail service such as Federal Express, or
through United Parcel Service (UPS).

IN ANOTHER STORE --
Pharmacies that are located within another store, such as a
department or grocery store. Pharmacies located within a K-mart
or Wal-mart are common examples of this type of pharmacy.

IN AN HMO/CLINIC/HOSPITAL --
Pharmacies that are located within an HMO, clinic, or hospital
facility.

DRUG STORE --
An independent or chain retail store where the primary business
is the service provided by the pharmacy.

ON-LINE PHARMACY --
An independent or chain retail store which fills prescriptions
over the internet. A person accesses and places their order with
this type of pharmacy through a website.

HEALTH INSURANCE OR ANOTHER SOURCE OF COVERAGE --
Any individual, company, or organization, besides the person or
family, that made any payments to the pharmacy for the
prescription medicines received. This includes: health insurance
companies, HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children’s
Health Insurance Program) or other types of public health
programs. This also includes other types of coverage which may
sometimes pay for prescription medicines, such as employers, car
or home owner’s insurance, worker’s compensation policies, etc.

SOURCE --
Any individual, company, or organization, besides the person or
family, that made any payments to the pharmacy for the
prescription medicines received. This includes health insurance
companies, HMOs, employers, car or home owner’s insurance,
worker’s compensation policies, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State
Children’s Health Insurance Program) or other types of public
programs, etc.

For this question please enter the USUAL source of payment for
the person’s prescription medicines during the reference period.
For example, if the person obtained three prescribed medicines,
and two were paid for by their regular insurance company and one
was paid for by their car insurance policy, their USUAL source of
payment for their prescribed medicines would be their regular
insurance company.

FAMILY SENDS IN CLAIM FORMS --
The RU member or family must pay the full amount of the
prescription ‘up-front’ to the pharmacy or prescription mail-
order firm. The family later completes a claim form so his or
her insurance company will reimburse all or a portion of the
prescription cost.

PHARMACY AUTOMATICALLY FILES CLAIMS --
The RU member of family has some type of insurance that will
cover the cost of prescription drugs. The family pays only a
portion of the full cost of the prescription or does not have to
pay any portion of the cost. The pharmacy will then file the
insurance claims for the family and is reimbursed for the
remainder of the prescription charge directly from the insurance
company.

NOT EITHER TYPE OF SITUATION --
This includes all other types of payment arrangements not
described above. For example, the person must pay the full
amount of the prescription with no reimbursement from any
insurer, you would code this category.

COPAYMENT --
A fixed sum that a person pays for health services, regardless of
the actual charge (the insurer pays the rest of the actual
charge). For example, the person may pay $10 for each office
visit, $75 for each day in the hospital, and $5 for each drug
prescription.

For the purposes of MEPS, paying $0 for every visit, regardless
of the services, is classified as a copayment.

CHARGE --
The dollar amount ASKED (‘charged’) for a service by a health
care provider. This may not be the actual amount PAID to the
provider.

TOTAL CHARGE --
The total dollar amount asked (‘charged’) for a service by a
health care provider. This includes any amounts that are paid
by health insurance or other sources, and may include charges
for procedures such as x-rays, lab tests, or diagnostic
procedures if performed during the visit to the provider.

ANYTHING IN WRITING --
A document that indicates the charges for services provided by
a medical provider. This usually takes the form of a bill or
statement listing the charges for a particular service or item.
Also include receipts for payments.

PAID AT TIME OF VISIT --
The charge was paid at the time of the visit to the provider, and
the person may not have received a bill.

MADE A COPAYMENT --
A co-payment is a fixed sum that a person pays for health
services regardless of the actual charge (the insurer pays the
rest of the actual charge). For example, the person may pay $10
for each office visit, $75 for each day in the hospital, and $5
for each drug prescription.

BILL SENT DIRECTLY TO OTHER SOURCE --
This situation normally applies where the provider or the person
sends the bill to the insurance company in order for the
insurance company to pay the health care provider.

BILL HAS NOT ARRIVED --
The person expects to receive a bill from the health care
provider as to the charges owed, however this bill has not
arrived.

NO BILL SENT: HMO PLAN --
No bill was sent to the person since the charges were paid by the
person’s Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or the services
were received at an HMO facility. HMOs are organizations that
have responsibility for providing comprehensive health care
services in exchange for a fixed periodic payment. With an HMO,
a person must generally receive their care from HMO physicians;
otherwise the expense is not covered unless the person was
referred by the HMO or there was a medical emergency. With an
HMO, the cost of a visit is covered in full or you have to pay a
small amount. HMOs can be sponsored by the government, medical
schools, hospitals, employers, labor unions, consumer groups,
insurance companies, and hospital-medical plans.

NO BILL SENT: VA (Veterans Administration) / CHAMPVA --
No bill was sent to the person since the charges were paid by
either the Veterans Administration (VA), which provides medical
services to veterans of the Armed Forces (particularly those with
service-connected disabilities) or The Civilian Health and
Medical Program of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (CHAMPVA),
which provides health coverage to dependents and survivors of
disabled or deceased veterans

NO BILL SENT: MILITARY FACILITY --
No bill was sent to the person because care was obtained at a
military hospital or clinic located on a military base.

NO BILL SENT: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE/MEDICAID/SCHIP --
The charges were paid by public assistance, Medicaid or a State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Medicaid is a
federally-assisted, state-administered program that offers health
benefits to low income persons on public assistance. The program
also may cover the aged, the blind, and the disabled who are in
financial need. Medicaid may be known by different names in
different states.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a program
which gives each state permission to offer health insurance for
children, up to age 19, who are not already insured and for
uninsured families with limited income and resources who earn too
much to qualify for Medicaid. SCHIP is a state administered
program and may be known by different names in different states.

NO BILL SENT: INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE –-
No bill was sent because the person went to a provider employed
by, or under contract to, the Indian Health Service (IHS), the
agency responsible for providing federal health services to
American Indians and Alaska Natives.

NO BILL SENT: WORKER’S COMPENSATION --
Worker’s compensation is a system, required by law, of
compensating workers injured or disabled in connection with work.
The system establishes the liability of an employer for injuries
or sickness that arise over and in the course of employment. The
liability is created without regard to the fault or negligence of
the employer. The benefits under this system generally include
hospital and other medical payments and compensation for loss of
income.

NO BILL SENT: SCHOOL, EMPLOYER, OR OTHER PRIVATE HEALTH CENTER/CLINIC --
No bill was sent because the care was provided by a school
clinic, an employer clinic, or some other private health center
or clinic. Care received in these types of clinics are usually
provided as benefits to the recipient and the cost of the care is
paid covered by the school, employer, or private health center.

NO BILL SENT: PUBLIC CLINIC/HEALTH CENTER OR PRIVATE CHARITY (INCLUDE
COMMUNITY AND MIGRANT HEALTH CENTER AND FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH
CENTERS) --
No bill was sent by the health care provider since the person
went to a provider providing health care at no charge. These
providers can include community and migrant health centers or
Federally-qualified health centers, among others.

NO CHARGE: TELEPHONE CALL --
No bill was sent by the health care provider because the provider
does not charge for consultation received over the telephone.

FREE FROM PROVIDER (PROFESSIONAL COURTESY/FREE SAMPLE)--
The provider provided the services as a professional courtesy
extended from one provider to another or to family members or
office staff. This can also include free samples of medicine, or
the donation of a provider’s services. This does NOT include
visits to public or ‘free’ clinics where the services are covered
by public and/or private funding sources. Such situations should
be coded as No Bill Sent: Public clinic/health center or private
charity.

GOVERNMENT-FINANCED RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS --
This includes all charges that were paid by the government or a
research institute in return for the person’s participation in
medical research. The research may take the form of clinical
trials of an experimental medication, which are part of the
government’s medical approval process. The person’s
participation does not necessarily involve a specific health
condition.

INCLUDED WITH OTHER CHARGES --
This normally applies to a ‘flat fee’ situation where the person
is charged a ‘lump sum’ for a variety of services or a series of
visits which relate to the same condition.

FLAT FEE --
A situation where the person is charged a ‘lump sum’ for a
variety of services or a series of visits which relate to the
same condition.

HMO --
HMOs are organizations that have responsibility for providing
comprehensive health care services in exchange for fixed periodic
payment. With an HMO, a person must generally receive their care
from HMO physicians; otherwise the expense is not covered by the
HMO unless the person was referred by the HMO or there was a
medical emergency. With an HMO, the cost of a visit is typically
covered in full or you have to pay a fixed amount of money per
visit. HMOs can be sponsored by the government, medical schools,
hospitals, employers, labor unions, consumer groups, insurance
companies, and hospital-medical plans.

VA (Veterans Administration) / CHAMPVA --
The Veterans Administration, or VA, provides medical assistance
to veterans of the Armed Forces, particularly those with service-
connected disabilities.

The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of
Veteran’s Affairs (CHAMPVA), provides health coverage to
dependents and survivors of disabled or deceased veterans.

TRICARE--
TRICARE is a health care program for active duty and retired
members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors.
TRICARE offers eligible beneficiaries three choices for their
healthcare; TRICARE Prime - where military treatment facilities
are the principal source of healthcare; TRICARE Extra - a
preferred provider option; and TRICARE Standard - a fee-for-
service option (the old CHAMPUS Program). TRICARE for life
covers uniformed service beneficiaries who have attained the age
of 65, are Medicare-eligible, and have purchased Medicare Part B.

OTHER MILITARY --
Includes any health care received on military bases by current
active duty personnel and their dependents and retired Armed
Forces members and their dependents or survivors.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE/MEDICAID/SCHIP --
Public assistance refers to the government agencies concerned
with providing aid to persons suffering from poverty,
unemployment, etc. Their health care is provided through
Medicaid. Medicaid is a federally-assisted, state-administered
program that offers health benefits to low income persons on
public assistance. The program also may cover the aged, the
blind, and the disabled who are in financial need. Medicaid may
be known by different names in different states.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a program
which gives each state permission to offer health insurance for
children, up to age 19, who are not already insured and for
uninsured families with limited income and resources who earn too
much to qualify for Medicaid. SCHIP is a state administered
program and may be known by different names in different states.

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE –-
The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department
of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing
federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION --
A system, required by law, of compensating workers injured or
disabled in connection with work. The system establishes the
liability of an employer for injuries or sickness that arise over
and in the course of employment. The liability is created
without regard to the fault or negligence of the employer. The
benefits under this system generally include hospital and other
medical payments and compensation for loss of income.

PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY --
A corporation primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

FLAT FEE --
A situation where the person is charged a ‘lump sum’ for a
variety of services or a series of visits which relate to the
same condition.

WHAT MAKES UP TOTAL CHARGE --
The total dollar amount asked (‘charged’) for a service by a
health care provider. This includes:

If the bill or statement lists charges for procedures separate
from other charges for the visit and are not included in the
total charge, add those charges to the others to obtain one
‘total charge’ that includes ALL charges that are associated
with the visit. However, if the person has a SEPARATE bill or
statement for procedures such as x-rays or lab work, do NOT
include those charges in the total charge for the visit. These
charges will be recorded at a different screen.

FLAT FEE --
A situation where the person is charged a ‘lump sum’ for a
variety of services or a series of visits which relate to the
same condition.

SET AMOUNT --
An amount a provider charges for a visit no matter what the
specific services provided during a particular visit were.
A possible example of this are regular visits to a physical
therapist for treatment: the specific treatment may be
different from visit to visit yet the charge is always the same.

COPAYMENT --
A fixed sum that a person pays for health services, regardless
of the actual charge (the insurer pays the rest of the actual
charge). For example, the beneficiary may pay $10 for each
office visit, $75 for each day in the hospital, and $5 for each
drug prescription.

For the purposes of MEPS, paying $0 for every visit, regardless
of the services, is classified as a copayment.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE --
Any and all amounts paid directly (e.g., out-of-pocket, up-front)
to the provider/pharmacy/place for the care or services received.
This includes all amounts that may have been reimbursed later by
any provider or insurance company.

SOURCE --
Any person, company, or organization, besides the person or
family, that made any payments to the provider/pharmacy/place for
the care or services received. This includes health insurance
companies, HMOs, employers, car or home owner’s insurance,
worker’s compensations policies, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State
Children’s Health Insurance Program) or other types of public
programs, etc.

This source should have paid the provider/pharmacy/place
DIRECTLY, that is, the family should not be paid in the
anticipation that they would in turn pay the provider. If this
is the case, consider it a reimbursement, not a direct payment.

ALREADY PAID --
The person or family assumes the source has sent in the payment
to the provider/pharmacy/place for the care or services received.

PAYMENTS MADE DIRECTLY TO PROVIDER --
Any source that has paid the provider/pharmacy/place DIRECTLY,
that is, the family was not paid by the source in the
anticipation that the family would in turn pay the provider. If
this is the case, consider it a reimbursement, not a direct
payment.

A SOURCE is any person, company, or organization, besides the
person or family, that made any payments to the
provider/pharmacy/place for the care or services received. This
includes health insurance companies, HMOs, employers, car or home
owner’s insurance, worker’s compensations policies, Medicare,
Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program)or
other types of public programs, etc.

SOURCE --
Any person, company, or organization, besides the person or
family, that made any reimbursement to the family for the care or
services received. This includes health insurance companies,
HMOs, employers, car or home owner’s insurance, worker’s
compensations polices, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State
Children’s Health Insurance Program) or other types of public
programs, etc.

REIMBURSEMENT --
Repayment by a third party (usually an insurance company) for
charges a person pays for health care services covered by the
person’s health insurance plan. For example, the terms of a
person’s health insurance plan may require that a person pay
the pharmacy directly for a prescription and then request a
‘reimbursement’ from his/her insurance company for all or a
percentage of the total amount paid.

PROVIDER NAME --
In some instances, a provider may have more than one name.
This question is asking if the paperwork (i.e., bill or
statement) indicates that the provider is listed under another
name. For example, a respondent may report that the hospital’s
name is the University of Chicago Hospital when the bill
indicates that the patient was seen at Wyler Children’s
Hospital.

RESPONDENT RULES --
BEST/PREFERRED RESPONDENT:
The best or preferred respondent for the interview is the person
who is most knowledgeable about the family’s health care and who
is keeping records about health care use and expenses since
January 1st.

For ROUND 1, this is likely to be the person who was the
respondent for the NHIS interview and, in most cases, was
the person contacted on the advance contact effort.

For ROUNDS 2-5, the best respondent is the person who was
respondent for the previous round’s interview.

SELECTING A NEW RU MEMBER AS RESPONDENT:
If you need to select a new respondent for the RU, select an RU
member who is at least 18 years old or older and knowledgeable
about the family’s health care use and expenses. Always
encourage all adult RU members to assist with the interview,
especially if there is a specific RU member for whom the selected
respondent cannot provide all health information. Keep in mind
that a new respondent may also be a new member of the RU. Verify
that the person is a member of the RU before selecting ‘RU
member’ for respondent type.

PROXY RESPONDENTS:
In a small number of cases it may not be possible to conduct an
interview with an RU member. Examples include:

In cases where a proxy respondent is necessary, try to determine
who outside the RU could provide information about the medical
care and expenses for the RU member(s). The proxy respondent
must be someone 18 years or older who can provide information
about the RU member(s) health care use and expenses during the
person’s reference period.

BEFORE YOU COMPLETE THE INTERVIEW WITH A PROXY, YOU MUST OBTAIN
APPROVAL FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR.

NOTE: If Round 1 and the only RU member died or entered an
institution BEFORE January 1st, DO NOT CONTINUE WITH THE
INTERVIEW. Verify the date of death or institutionalization and
close out the case.

LOCATING ADDRESS --
The locating address is where the RU members actually live. This
will not necessarily be the same as the address where their mail
is received or as their legal or voting residence. It is the
address you will use to locate the RU for the in-person
interview.

Try to obtain as complete an address as possible, verifying or
obtaining house numbers and apartment numbers when necessary. If
the locating address is a description (for example, brick house
with green shutters and front porch), probe the respondent for
the actual address, such as the one the post office uses to
deliver mail to the home. Be sure to verify all parts of the
address, including the zip code. If the respondent reports that
there is a separate mailing address (for example, a post office
box), tell the respondent that you will be asking for the mailing
address at the end of the interview.

RE10
RE10OV1
RE10OV2
RE10OV3
RE10OV4
RE40
RE40OV1
RE40OV2
RE40OV3
RE40OV3
RE40OV4
RE40OV5
RE66H
RE66HOV1
RE66HOV2
RE66HOV3
RE66HOV4
RE66HOV5
RE74
RE74OV1
RE74OV2
RE74OV3
RE74OV4
RE74OV5
RE110
RE110OV1
RE110OV2
RE110OV3
RE110OV4
RE110OV5
RE110OV6
RE110OV7
RE111A
RE111AO1
RE111AO2
RE111AO3
RE111AO4
RE111AO5
RE111AO6
RE111AO7
PM14
PM14OV1
PM14OV2
PM14OV3
PM14OV4
PM14OV5
PM14OV6
PM14OV7
PM14OV8
PM15
PM15OV1
PM15OV2
PM15OV3
PM15OV4
PM15OV5
PM15OV6
PM15OV7
PM15OV8
PD18
PD18OV1
PD18OV2
PD18OV3
PD18OV4
PD18OV5
PD18OV6
PD18OV7
PD18OV8
PD18OV9
PD18OV10
PD18OV11
PD18OV12
CL47
CL47OV1
CL47OV2
CL47OV3
CL47OV4
CL47_2
CL47_2_OV1
CL47_2_OV2
CL47_2_OV3
CL47_2_OV4
CL49
CL49OV1
CL49OV2
CL49OV3
CL49OV4
CL49OV5
CL49OV6
CL49OV7
CL49_2
CL49_2_OV1
CL49_2_OV2
CL49_2_OV3
CL49_2_OV4
CL49_2_OV5
CL49_2_OV6
CL49_2_OV7
CL51
CL51OV1
CL51OV2
CL51OV3
CL51OV4
CL51OV5
CL51OV6
CL51OV7
CL51OV8
CL51OV9
CL51OV10
CL55
CL55OV1
CL55OV2
CL55OV3
CL55OV4
CL55OV5
CL55OV6
CL55OV7
CL55OV8
CL55OV9
CL55OV10
CL55_2
CL55_2_OV1
CL55_2_OV2
CL55_2_OV3
CL55_2_OV4
CL55_2_OV5
CL55_2_OV6
CL55_2_OV7
CL55_2_OV8
CL55_2_OV9
CL55_2_OV10
CL59
CL59OV1
CL59OV2
CL59OV3
CL59OV4
CL59OV5
CL59OV6
CL59OV7
CL61B
CL61BOV3
CL61BOV4
CL61BOV5
CL61BOV6
CL61BOV7
CL61BOV8
CL61BOV9
CL61B_2
CL61B_2_OV3
CL61B_2_OV4
CL61B_2_OV5
CL61B_2_OV6
CL61B_2_OV7
CL61B_2_OV8
CL61B_2_OV9

STATE ABBREVIATIONS --
Alabama: AL
Alaska: AK
Arizona: AZ
Arkansas: AR
California: CA
Colorado: CO
Connecticut: CT
Delaware: DE
District of Columbia: DC
Florida: FL
Georgia: GA
Hawaii: HI
Idaho: ID
Illinois: IL
Indiana: IN
Iowa: IA
Kansas: KS
Kentucky: KY
Louisiana: LA
Maine: ME
Maryland: MD
Massachusetts: MA
Michigan: MI
Mississippi: MS
Minnesota: MN
Missouri: MO
Montana: MT
Nebraska: NE
Nevada: NV
New Hampshire: NH
New Jersey: NJ
New Mexico: NM
New York: NY
North Carolina: NC
North Dakota: ND
Oklahoma: OK
Ohio: OH
Oregon: OR
Pennsylvania: PA
Rhode Island: RI
South Carolina: SC
South Dakota: SD
Tennessee: TN
Texas: TX
Utah: UT
Vermont: VT
Virginia: VA
Washington: WA
West Virginia: WV
Wisconsin: WI
Wyoming: WY
Foreign Country: FC
Please use the code ‘FC’ anytime the respondent indicates
that the address, provider, job, pharmacy, etc. was not in
one of the 50 states. Record the name of the city or
province, and the country name in the city field. Record
‘FC’ in the state field. For example, if your respondent
lives in Buffalo, NY and reported that he or she worked in
Toronto, Canada, you would record ‘Toronto, Canada’ in the
city field and ‘FC’ in the state field.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS --

You have never recorded me before. Why now?
Prior to now we didn’t have the capability to record. Now that
we do, we can use the recordings to improve the survey and for
quality control.

Which questions are you recording?
It is a random selection of questions that are selected for
recording.

Do I have to be recorded?
No, we can continue the interview without the recording.

What are the recordings being used for? Who will hear them?
The recordings are mainly for quality control purposes. We will
also use the recordings to identify ways to improve the survey
questions. Only MEPS project staff will have access to the
recordings. Your personal information will never be shared with
anyone.

MARRIED --
Refers to legal marriage. This includes common law marriages in
states where common law marriages are recognized (i.e., if state
law considers them married, we consider them married).

A person is considered NEVER MARRIED if s/he has never been LEGALLY
married. If the person has had informal unions in the past but has
never had a legal marriage, s/he is included in this category even
if s/he considered themselves as living together as married partners.
If the respondent asks what is meant by marriage, tell him or her
that we are only interested in LEGAL married status for this
question. However, accept what the respondent tells you here without
attempting to reconcile the response with information given
previously concerning the marital status of the person. For example,
if a respondent tells you here that he is married, but when you
collected relationship information he told you that the woman he is
living with is his ‘partner’, you would code him here as married and
continue to the next person in the RU without questioning his
response. An answer indicating that an RU member is ‘single’ or ‘not
married’ should be probed to determine if s/he has been married in
the past or not.

RE14
RE15
RE15OV1
RE15OV2
RE66E
RE96B1
RE96B2
RE94A
RE95
RE95A
RE95B
RE95E
RE96B
RE96B1
RE96B2

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A HEALTH CARE FACILITY --
A person is considered institutionalized in a health care facility
if s/he is living in a facility that provides 24-hour continuous
skilled nursing and is staffed with trained medical personnel.
Institutions that provide this type of care include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS (Must provide 24-hour
skilled nursing care) -
An institution other than a nursing home that provides 24-hour
continuous skilled nursing care for patients, regardless of
age, who have chronic diseases or disabilities, and who
require preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive
services over long periods of time. Long term health care may
call on a variety of health care professionals (such as
physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers)
as well as non-professionals (family, others) and may be
delivered in a health care or other institution.

If the person is admitted as an inpatient to a community-based
hospital, regardless of the length of stay, do not code them
as institutionalized, and include them in the MEPS interview.

LIVING WITH THIS FAMILY --
Person is living with this family at the time of the current
round interview. This is the person’s usual place of residence
where the person plans to live for the foreseeable future.

USUAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE SOMEWHERE ELSE --
Person is not living with the family at the time of the current
round interview, but has usual place of residence somewhere else.
This could include living in another household or living in a
military facility.

DECEASED --
The person is no longer living at the time of the current round
interview.

RE19B
RE19BOV
RE19BOV1
RE19BOV2
RE19BOV3
RE19BOV4
RE19C
RE19COV
RE19COV1
RE19COV2
RE19COV3
RE19COV4
RE19D
RE19DOV1
RE19DOV2

LEAVE THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY --
The person must have been discharged from or have formally left
the health care facility because the person is deceased or
because the person is now living somewhere other than the health
care facility. If the person has only temporarily left the
health care facility to visit family or for a stay in the
hospital, do not count this as having left the facility.

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A HEALTH CARE FACILITY --
A person is considered institutionalized in a health care facility
if s/he is living in a facility that provides 24-hour continuous
skilled nursing and personal care and is staffed with trained
medical personnel. Institutions that provide this type of care
include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS (Must provide 24-hour
skilled nursing care) -
An institution other than a nursing home that provides 24-hour
continuous skilled nursing and personal care for patients,
regardless of age, who have chronic diseases or disabilities,
and who require preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and
supportive services over long periods of time. Long term care
may call on a variety of health care professionals (such as
physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers)
as well as non-professionals (family, others) and may be
delivered in a health care or other institution.

If the person is admitted as an inpatient to a community-based
hospital, regardless of the length of stay, do not code them as
institutionalized, and include them in the MEPS interview.

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A NON-HEALTH CARE FACILITY --
A person is institutionalized in a non-health care facility if
s/he is living in a correctional facility. Non-health care
facilities include:
Homes for juvenile delinquents, jails, and prisons.

STUDENT UNDER 24 LIVING AWAY AT SCHOOL IN GRADES 1-12 --
A person under 24 years old who usually lives in the household,
but at the time of this interview lives at a boarding school or
academy in grades 1-12. Grades 1-12 includes elementary school,
middle school, high school (both junior and senior high school).
The school can be public, private, military, or parochial.

STUDENT UNDER 24 LIVING AWAY AT POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL --
A person under 24 years old who usually lives in the household,
but at the time of this interview lives away at post-secondary
school. If the person returns to the RU on weekends, school
holidays or vacations, we still consider him/her as “living away
at school”. Post-secondary school includes:

COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES -
Junior college, community college, four-year college or
university, nursing school or seminary where a college degree
is offered, and graduate school or professional school that
is attended after obtaining a degree from a 4-year
institution.

OTHER TRAINING SCHOOLS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL -
Secretarial school, mechanical or computer training school,
nursing school where a college degree is NOT offered, and any
other vocational, trade, or business school where a college
degree is not offered. The person need NOT have obtained a
high school diploma or equivalency to attend this type of
school.

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD - CURRENTLY NOT FULL-TIME MILITARY --
Person is living in another household and is not on full-time
active duty in the Armed Forces on the date of the current round
interview. This includes persons who are living in a different
household, either inside the U.S. or outside the U.S. DO NOT
include persons who are living in an institution or are living
away at school, either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this
category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about is
on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the Armed Forces
of the United States) on the date of the current round interview.
DO NOT include persons who are on full-time active duty in the
military in this category. See definition of full-time active
duty in the Armed Forces below.

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD/MILITARY FACILITY - CURRENTLY FULL-TIME MILITARY --
Person is living in another household or military facility and is
on full-time active duty in the Armed Forces on date of the
current round interview. This includes persons who are living in
another household or in a military facility, either inside the
U.S. or outside the U.S. DO NOT include persons who are living in
an institution or were living away at school, either grades 1-12
or post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about is
on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the Armed Forces
of the United States) on the date of the current round interview
interview. Include only persons who ARE on full-time active duty
in the military in this category.

Person who are considered to be ON FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY IN THE
ARMED FORCES includes:

LIVING WITHIN U.S. --
This includes all the states in the United States, including
Hawaii and Alaska. It does NOT include the U.S. territories such
as Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

LIVING OUTSIDE U.S. --
This includes all countries other than the United States as well
as territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands. Hawaii and Alaska are considered INSIDE the
United States.

GRADES 1-12 --
Includes elementary school, middle school, and high school (both
junior and senior high school). The school can be public,
private, military, or parochial.

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY --
Junior college, community college, four-year college or
university, nursing school or seminary where a college degree is
offered, and graduate school or professional school that is
attended after obtaining a degree from a 4-year institution.

OTHER TRAINING SCHOOL AFTER HIGH SCHOOL --
Secretarial school, mechanical or computer training school,
nursing school where a college degree is NOT offered, and any
other vocational, trade, or business school where a college
degree is not offered. The person need NOT have obtained a high
school diploma or equivalency to attend this type of school.

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD –-
If the full-time active duty armed forces person lives in any
place of private residence including apartments, townhouses,
houses, co-ops, mobile homes, boarding rooms, etc. OR the full-
time active duty armed forces member is living with at least one
civilian, key RU member in military housing, code person as
living in another household.

MILITARY FACILITY –-
If person lives in any building or grounds on an Army, Air Force,
Navy, Marine, or Coast Guard base, military training school or
academy (Army (West Point), Air Force, Naval or Coast Guard
academies); or any other facility owned exclusively for military
purposes WITHOUT at least one civilian, key RU member, code person
as living in military facility.

LIVING WITHIN U.S. --
This includes all the states in the United States, including
Hawaii and Alaska. It does NOT include the U.S. territories such
as Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

HH MEMBERSHIP RULES --
Persons are considered members of this RU if they are related to
the reference person by blood, marriage, living together as
married, adoption or foster care relationship and meet the
following criteria:

Consider persons who are just temporarily away (in a hospital,
away on a business trip, or on vacation) as still in this RU.

A student living away at school in grades 1 through 12 will be
included in this RU’s interview, but should be coded as having
left the RU at this question. Later in the interview, you will
code the reason this person is no longer in the RU as ‘Student
Under 24 Living Away at School in Grades 1-12’. This will tell
CAPI to keep the person as a current RU member.

A student living away at post-secondary school should also be
coded as no longer in the RU. However, post-secondary students
will be removed from the RU and interviewed separately. You will
code this person as ‘Student Under 24 Living Away at Post-
Secondary School’ later in the interview.

ROUND 1 ONLY: During Round 1 you may learn that a person listed
as a member of the household at the time of the NHIS was
listed incorrectly. That is, he or she did not meet the
rules of household membership for this RU at the time of the
NHIS. For example, the person may have been just visiting
at the time of the NHIS, but had a primary residence
elsewhere. Select ‘Incorrectly listed in RU during NHIS’
for this person if you learned he/she did not meet the rules
of household membership.

ROUND 2 - 5 ONLY: During Rounds 2-5 you may learn that a person
listed as a member of the household at the time of the
previous round’s interview was listed incorrectly. That is,
he or she did not meet the rules of household membership for
this RU at the time of the interview. For example, the
person may have been just visiting at the time of the
interview, but had a primary residence elsewhere or the
person may not be related to the reference person. If either
situation applies, select ‘Incorrectly listed in RU during
previous interview’ for this person.

MOVED - CURRENTLY NOT IN MILITARY --
This includes persons who have moved out of the household to other
households, either inside the U.S. or outside the U.S. DO NOT
include persons who moved to an institution or are living away at
school, either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about is
currently on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the
Armed Forces of the United States). DO NOT include persons who
are currently on full-time active duty in the military in this
category. See definition of full-time active duty in the Armed
Forces below.

MOVED - CURRENTLY ON FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY IN ARMED FORCES --
This includes persons who have moved out of the household to
another household or to a military facility, either inside the
U.S. or outside the U.S. DO NOT include persons who moved to an
institution or are living away at school, either grades 1-12 or
post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about is
currently on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the
Armed Forces of the United States). Include only persons who ARE
currently on full-time active duty in the military in this
category.

Person who are considered to be CURRENTLY ON FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY
IN THE ARMED FORCES includes:

INSTITUTIONALIZED --
A person is considered institutionalized if s/he is living in a
facility that provides 24-hour continuous skilled nursing and
personal care and is staffed with trained medical personnel, or if
s/he is living in a correctional facility. Institutions include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS (Must provide 24-hour
skilled nursing care) -
An institution, other than a nursing home that provides
24-hour skilled nursing care for patients, regardless of age,
who have chronic diseases or disabilities, and who require
preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive services
over long periods of time. Long term care may call on a
variety of health care professionals (such as physicians,
nurses, physical therapists, and social workers) as well as
non-professionals (family, others) and may be delivered in a
health care or other institution.

If the person is admitted as an inpatient to a community-based
hospital, regardless of the length of stay, do not code them as
institutionalized, and include them in the MEPS interview.

OTHER NON-HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS -
This includes homes for juvenile delinquents, and jails or
prisons.

NURSING HOMES --
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled nursing
and other services to people who need nursing and personal
services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION (MUST PROVIDE 24-HOUR
SKILLED NURSING CARE) --
An institution other than a nursing home that provides 24-hour
continuous skilled nursing care for patients, regardless of age,
who have chronic diseases or disabilities, and who require
preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive services over
long periods of time. Long term health care may call on a variety
of health care professionals (such as physicians, nurses, physical
therapists, and social workers) as well as non-professionals
(family, others) and may be delivered in a health care or other
institution.

If the person is admitted as an inpatient to a community-based
hospital, regardless of the length of stay, do not code them as
institutionalized, and include them in the MEPS interview.

OTHER NON-HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION --
This includes homes for juvenile delinquents, and jails or
prisons.

OWNS/RENTS HOME --
A person OWNS the home even if they are still paying on a
mortgage. A person RENTS the home if s/he pays on a continuing
basis without gaining any rights to ownership.

If more than one person ‘owns or rents’ the home, ask the
respondent to choose one person. This person will then be used
as the reference person in the remainder of the interview.

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD --
If no one in the household owns or rents the home, we ask for the
name of the ‘head of household’. This is the person in the
household who has the primary responsibility for the care of the
family.

If more than one person is considered ‘head of household’, ask
the respondent to choose one person. This person will then be
used as the reference person in the remainder of the interview.

LIVING TOGETHER AS MARRIED/PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS --
In addition to marriage, two people in a ‘partner’ relationship
who are not married are considered related. This applies BOTH to
partners of the same sex and of different sexes.

Because these are relationships between the household member and
the Reference Person that the respondent may not have considered
or offered, you may need to probe to determine if this category
applies.

Example:
If the respondent is the Reference Person and is female and
reports the relationship of an unrelated male to be a ‘friend’,
you would want to tactfully probe to determine if she considers
him her boyfriend or living together as married partners instead
of just friends. If she says they are living together as
married, they would be considered related. If they are NOT
living together as if they are married partners, they should be
viewed as unrelated.

INSTITUTIONALIZED --
A person was institutionalized if s/he was living in a health care
facility that provided 24-hour continuous skilled nursing care (and
was staffed with trained medical personnel) or if s/he was living
in a correctional facility. Institutions include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS (Must provide 24-hour
skilled nursing care) -
An institution, other than a nursing home, that provides 24-
hour continuous skilled nursing care for patients, regardless
of age, who have chronic diseases or disabilities, and who
require preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive
services over long periods of time. Long term health care may
call on a variety of health care professionals (such as
physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers)
as well as non-professionals (family, others) and may be
delivered in a health care or other institution.

If the person is admitted as an inpatient to a community-based
hospital, regardless of the length of stay, do not code them
as institutionalized, and include them in the MEPS interview.

OTHER NON-HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS -
This includes homes for juvenile delinquents, and jails or
prisons.

PERSON WAS NOT FT MILITARY AT TIME OF NHIS AND WAS ...

It is important to determine if the person being asked about was
serving on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the
Armed Forces of the United States) at the time of the NHIS
interview. DO NOT include persons who were serving on full-time
active duty in the military at the time of the NHIS in this
category. See definition of full-time active duty in the Armed
Forces below.

LIVING IN U.S. --
This includes all the states in the United States, including
Hawaii and Alaska. It does NOT include the U.S. territories such
as Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

PERSON WAS FT MILITARY AT TIME OF NHIS AND WAS ...

It is important to determine if the person being asked about was
serving on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the
Armed Forces of the United States) at the time of the NHIS
interview. Include only persons who WERE serving on full-time
active duty in the military at the time of the NHIS in this
category.

Person who are considered to have been SERVING ON FULL-TIME
ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMED FORCES includes:

LIVING AT A MILITARY FACILITY --
Refers to any building or grounds on an Army, Air Force, Navy,
Marine, or Coast Guard base; military training schools;
military academies (Army (West Point), Air Force, Naval
or Coast Guard academies); or any other facility owned exclusively
by the military or use exclusively for military purposes.

LIVING IN ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD IN U.S.--
A household includes any place of private residence including
apartments, townhouses, houses, co-ops, mobile homes, boarding
rooms, etc. ‘In U.S.’ includes all the states in the United
States, including Hawaii and Alaska. It does NOT include the
U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S.
Virgin Islands.

LIVING IN AN INSTITUTION --
A person was living in an institution if s/he was living in a
health care facility that provided 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and personal care and was staffed with trained medical
personnel and are expected to remain in the facility for longer
than 100 days or if s/he was living in a correctional facility.
Institutions include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS (Must provide 24-hour
skilled nursing care) -
An institution, other than a nursing home that provides 24-
hour continuous skilled nursing care for patients, regardless
of age, who have chronic diseases or disabilities, and who
require preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive
services over long periods of time. Long term health care may
call on a variety of health care professionals (such as
physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers)
as well as non-professionals (family, others) and may be
delivered in a health care or other institution.

If the person is admitted as an inpatient to a community-based
hospital, regardless of the length of stay, do not code them
as institutionalized, and include them in the MEPS interview.

OTHER NON-HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS -
This includes homes for juvenile delinquents, and jails or
prisons.

STUDENT UNDER 24 LIVING AWAY AT SCHOOL IN GRADES 1-12 --
Person was under 24 years old, usually lived in the household, but
was living at a boarding school or academy in grades 1-12. Grades
1-12 includes elementary school, middle school, high school (both
junior and senior high school). The school can be public,
private, military, or parochial.

STUDENT UNDER 24 LIVING AWAY AT POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL --
Person was under 24 years old, usually lived in the household, but
was living away at post-secondary school. If the person returned
to the RU on weekends, school holidays or vacations, we still
consider him/her as “living away at school”. Post-secondary
school includes:

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD - NOT FULL-TIME MILITARY ON (DATE SHOWN ON CAPI
SCREEN) --
Person was a living in another household and was not on full-time
active duty in the Armed Forces. This includes persons who were
living in a different household. DO NOT include persons who were
living in an institution or were living away at school, either
grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about was
on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the Armed Forces
of the United States). DO NOT include persons who were on full-
time active duty in the military in this category. See definition
of full-time active duty in the Armed Forces below.

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD OR MILITARY FACILITY-FULL-TIME MILITARY
ON (DATE SHOWN ON CAPI SCREEN) --
Person was a living in another household, military facility or
military academy AND was on full-time active duty in the Armed
Forces. This includes persons who were living in another
household or in a military facility. DO NOT include persons who
were living in an institution or were living away at school,
either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about was
on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the Armed Forces
of the United States). Include only persons who WERE on full-time
active duty in the military in this category.

Person who are considered to be ON FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY IN THE
ARMED FORCES includes:

LIVING WITH THIS FAMILY (PERSON LEFT OFF ROSTER LAST INTERVIEW) --
Person was living with this family, but was not included as part
of the family during the previous interview.

INSTITUTIONALIZED --
A person was institutionalized if s/he was living in a facility
that provided 24-hour continuous skilled nursing and personal care
(and was staffed with trained medical personnel) or if s/he was
living in a correctional facility. Institutions include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER NON-HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS -
This includes homes for juvenile delinquents, and jails or
prisons.

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD (NOT MILITARY AT TIME OF NHIS) --
Person was a living in another household and was not on full-time
active duty in the Armed Forces on date of the NHIS interview.
This includes persons who were living in a different household,
either inside the U.S. or outside the U.S. DO NOT include persons
who were living in an institution or were living away at school,
either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about was
on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the Armed Forces
of the United States) on the date of the NHIS interview. DO NOT
include persons who were on full-time active duty in the military
in this category. See definition of full-time active duty in the
Armed Forces below.

ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD OR MILITARY FACILITY (ON FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY IN
THE ARMED FORCES AT TIME OF NHIS) --
Person was a living in another household, military facility or
military academy and was on full-time active duty in the Armed
Forces on date of the NHIS interview. This includes persons who
were living in another household or in a military facility, either
inside the U.S. or outside the U.S. DO NOT include persons who
were living in an institution or were living away at school,
either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category.

It is important to determine if the person being asked about was
on full-time active duty in the military (i.e., the Armed Forces
of the United States) on the date of the NHIS interview. Include
only persons who WERE on full-time active duty in the military in
this category.

Person who are considered to be ON FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY IN THE
ARMED FORCES includes:

LIVING WITH THIS FAMILY (PERSON LEFT OFF NHIS ROSTER) --
Person was living with this family at the time of the NHIS
interview, but was not included as part of the family during the
NHIS interview.

INSTITUTIONALIZED --
A person was institutionalized if s/he was living in a health care
facility that provided 24-hour continuous skilled nursing and
personal care (and was staffed with trained medical personnel) or
if s/he was living in a correctional facility. Institutions include:

NURSING HOMES -
An institution that provides 24-hour continuous skilled
nursing and other services to people who need nursing and
personal services as inpatients.

OTHER LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS (Must provide 24-hour
skilled nursing care) -
An institution other than a nursing home that provides 24-
hour continuous skilled nursing care for patients, regardless
of age, who have chronic diseases or disabilities, and who
require preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive
services over long periods of time. Long term health care may
call on a variety of health care professionals (such as
physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and social workers)
as well as non-professionals (family, others) and may be
delivered in a health care or other institution.

OTHER NON-HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS -
This includes homes for juvenile delinquents, and jails or
prisons.

LEGAL GUARDIAN --
An adult who has been given the legal right and responsibility by a
court to control and care for a minor child (a person under 18
years of age). The guardian may also be charged with the legal
responsibility of the minor child’s estate (i.e., property). The
adult has legal authority to make personal decisions for the child,
including responsibility for his physical, medical and educational
needs. A legal guardian will be under the supervision of the court
and will be required to appear in court to give periodic reports
about the status of the child and its estate.

For the purposes of this study, a legal guardian cannot be
deceased.

USUAL YEAR-ROUND PLACE OF RESIDENCE --
The place where person lives during the majority of a
calendar year.

RESIDENCE ONLY DURING SCHOOL YEAR --
Person lives at this household only during the months s/he is
attending school and lives elsewhere when not attending school.

SOME OTHER ARRANGEMENT --
This category covers living situations not covered by the above
two categories. For example, a child’s divorced parents have
joint custody of the child and the child lives 50% of the time
with his/her mother at one residence and the other 50% of the
time with his/her father at a different residence.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY --
The person who is most often responsible for the health and
health care for the person being asked about. This includes
making sure the person being asked about receives all need health
care (doctor visits, dental visits, takes medications, etc.) and
paying for that health care.

MARRIED --
Refers to legal marriage. This includes common law marriages in
states where common law marriages are recognized (i.e., if state
law considers them married, we consider them married).

SEPARATED --
Legal or informal separation due to marital discord. It is
necessary to probe further when a person is reported as
‘separated’ -- if the spouse is absent for reasons other than
marital discord, the ‘married’ category applies.

NEVER MARRIED --
Person has never been LEGALLY married. If the person has had
informal unions in the past but has never had a legal marriage,
s/he is included in this category even if s/he considered
themselves as living together as married partners.

If the respondent asks what is meant by marriage, tell him or her
that we are only interested in LEGAL married status for this
question. However, accept what the respondent tells you here
without attempting to reconcile the response with information
given previously concerning the marital status of the person.
For example, if a respondent tells you here that he is married,
but when you collected relationship information he told you that
the woman he is living with is his ‘partner’, you would code him
here as married and continue to the next person in the RU without
questioning his response. An answer indicating that an RU member
is ‘single’ or ‘not married’ should be probed to determine if
s/he has been married in the past or not.

REGULAR SCHOOL --
A school that advances a person toward an elementary or high
school diploma, or a college/university or professional school
(such as law, medicine, dentistry) degree.

Regular school INCLUDES graded public, private, and parochial
schools, colleges, universities, graduate and professional
schools, seminaries where a Bachelor’s degree is offered, junior
colleges specializing in skill training, colleges of education,
and nursing schools where a Bachelor’s degree is offered. Count
schooling in other than regular schools only if the credits
obtained are acceptable in a regular school system.

If the person attended school in another country, in an un-graded
school, in a ‘normal school’, under a tutor, or under other
special circumstances, ask the respondent to give the nearest
equivalent of years in regular U.S. school.

If the person attended school OUTSIDE OF THE ‘REGULAR’ SCHOOL
SYSTEM, you will need to probe to determine if the schooling is
applicable here. Use the following guidelines to determine if the
schooling should be included at this question:

TRAINING PROGRAMS -
Count training received ‘on the job’, in the Armed Forces, or
through correspondence school ONLY if it was credited toward a
school diploma, high school equivalency (GED), or
college degree.

VOCATIONAL, TRADE, OR BUSINESS SCHOOL -
Do NOT include secretarial school, mechanical or computer
training school, nursing school where a Bachelor’s degree is
not offered, and other vocational trade or business schools
outside the regular school system.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GED) OR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY -
An exam certified equivalent of a high school diploma. If the
person has not actually completed all four years of high
school, but has acquired his/her GED (high school equivalency
based on passing the GED exam), count this as you would a high
school graduate and code ‘TWELFTH GRADE (HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA)’.

ADULT EDUCATION -
Adult education classes should NOT be included as regular
school unless such schooling has been counted for credit in a
regular school system. If a person has taken adult education
classes but NOT FOR CREDIT, these classes should not be counted
as regular school. Adult education courses given in a public
school building are part of regular schooling only if their
completion can advance a person toward an elementary school
certificate, a high school diploma (or GED), or college degree.

NURSING EDUCATION -
Education for nurses and nursing related fields can vary.
If there are questions from the respondent, please use the
following guidelines. The CNA is a vocational training
program that lasts usually 6-9 months and is not a degree—
select the grade/level completed at the last regular school.
The LPN and LVN programs usually include a “diploma” or
“certification” after one year’s vocational training; select
the most appropriate category under the heading for “College:”
and code the “Other Degree” at the follow-up question. The RN
is a degree program from either a nursing school (usually a 3
year program equivalent to 3 years of college and equivalent
to more than an associate degree) or a community college or
college/university program that can either be at the
associates, bachelors, masters, or PhD levels—select the
most appropriate category under the heading for “College:”
and code the appropriate degree at the follow-up question.

GRADE OR YEAR --
For this study, we have classified grades 1 through 8 as
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, and grades 9 through 12 as HIGH SCHOOL.
However, you should note that the final grade of elementary school
may be anywhere from grade 5 to grade 8, depending on the school
system. So, if the respondent says the person you are asking
about completed elementary school, probe to determine what grade
that represents.

Completing a given grade in school should be counted as the number
of years it NORMALLY takes to complete that grade level of
education, regardless of how many years it actually took the
person to finish. This means that for persons who skipped or
repeated grades in elementary school, you will enter the highest
grade completed REGARDLESS of the number of years they were in
school. This rule is true for elementary school through high
school and is especially relevant to college. For example, if the
person you are asking about is reported as having a ‘Bachelor’s
Degree’, it should be coded as ‘Fourth Year (BACHELOR’S DEGREE)’
regardless of how many years it took him/her to receive it. Code
‘Five or More Years (GRADUATE DEGREE)’ should be entered only if
the person has completed one or more years of graduate or
professional school.

For persons still in school, be sure to report the highest grade/
level completed. For example, a person currently in the 10th grade
probably completed the 9th grade.

HAVE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA --
A certificate that verifies that a person has successfully
completed the required courses of a high school curriculum. By
‘have a high school diploma’, we mean did the person graduate from
high school rather than literally do they have the document
bearing record of graduation.

PASSED GED --
A GED (general educational development) is an exam certified as
the equivalent to attaining a high school diploma.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE --
An educational degree given by a college or university to a person
who has completed a four-year course or its equivalent in the
humanities or related studies (B.A.) or in the sciences (B.S.).

MASTER’S DEGREE --
An educational degree given by a college or university to a person
who has completed a prescribed course of graduate study in the
humanities or related studies (M.A.) or in the sciences (M.S.).
It ranks above a bachelor’s degree and below a doctorate degree
and usually takes two years to complete.

DOCTORATE DEGREE --
The highest educational degree given by a college or university to
a person who has completed a prescribed course of advanced
graduate study. Examples include a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.),
Doctor of Laws (J.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), etc.

NO DEGREE --
If the person has some years of college, but has not yet obtained
an educational degree, code ‘NO DEGREE’. For example, if the
person is in his/her last term towards earning a Bachelor’s
degree, code ‘NO DEGREE’.

OTHER --
If the person obtained an educational degree other than a
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree, code ‘OTHER’. A high
school degree or GED is NOT considered an educational degree for
this question.

PART-TIME --
A person is considered to be attending school part-time if s/he
is carrying less than a full load of class hours in a semester or
quarter.

FULL-TIME --
A person is considered to be attending school full-time if s/he
is carrying a full load of class hours in a semester or quarter.

MAIN JOB/BUSINESS --
If only one current job or business, that job/business is the
main one. If more than one current job or business, the
respondent should designate as main, the job he/she considers
the most important or the one worked the most hours. The main
job is not necessarily the job held the longest.

JOB --
A definite arrangement for regular work every week or month, for
pay or other compensation (e.g., profits, anticipated profits, or
pay in kind, such as room and board). A job may also be a formal
arrangement with one or more employers to work on a continuing
basis for a specified number of hours per week or days per month,
but on an irregular schedule during the specified week or month.

BUSINESS --
A business exists when one or more of the following conditions
are met: (1) Machinery or equipment of substantial value is in
use in conducting business, (2) an office, store or other place
of business is maintained, or (3) the business is advertised by
listing in the classified section of the phone book, displaying
a sign, distributing cards or leaflets, or any other methods
which publicize that the work or service is offered to clients.

JOB FOR PAY --
Paid work for wages, salary, commission, or pay ‘in kind’.
Examples of ‘pay in kind’ include meals, living quarters, or
supplies provided in place of wages. This definition of
employment INCLUDES work in the person’s own business,
professional practice, or farm, paid leaves of absence
(including vacations and illnesses), and work without pay in a
family business or farm run by a relative. This definition
EXCLUDES unpaid volunteer work (such as for a church or
charity), unpaid leaves of absences, temporary layoffs (such as
a strike), and work around the house.

HEALTH INSURANCE --
Health benefits coverage, paid in whole or in part by the
employer, providing employees with health-related benefits.
Coverage may also include family members of the employee. A
health benefits plan may include the following: hospitalization,
major medical, surgical, prescriptions, dental, and vision.

JOB ENDED --
Voluntary or involuntary termination of employment based on the
completion or cancellation of a predetermined task or work order.
For example, construction workers may no longer be employed due
to the fact that a specific project has been completed and no
subsequent projects have begun.

BUSINESS DISSOLVED/SOLD --
Voluntary or involuntary cessation of operations by the owners
of the business.

RETIRED --
Voluntary termination of employment usually the result of
reaching a specified age and tenure. Also include situations in
which the person is no longer seeking main employment due to a
retirement decision.

ILLNESS OR INJURY --
Inability to work due to impairments, or physical or mental
health problems. The impairment or problem should be of such
severity that it incapacitates the individual and prevents
him/her from doing any kind of gainful employment.

LAID OFF --
Persons are on layoff if they are waiting to be recalled to a
job from which they were temporarily separated for business-
related reasons, such as temporary drops in demand, business
downturns, plant remodeling, material shortages, and inventory
taking. They must have either been given a date to report back
to work or, if not given a date, must expect to be recalled to
their job within six months.

QUIT TO HAVE A BABY --
Pregnant RU member voluntarily terminates employment due to the
birth of her child. If the RU member quits to take care of an
adopted child, code as ‘Quit to Take Care of Home or Family’.

QUIT TO GO TO SCHOOL --
RU member is no longer employed in order to attend classes at
any kind of public or private school, including trade or
vocational schools in which students receive no compensation in
money or kind, or only minimal educational stipends
(fellowship, scholarship).

QUIT TO TAKE CARE OF HOME OR FAMILY --
This answer category includes cases where an RU member ceases
employment in order to be in the household to take care of
household duties, children, and/or spouse. It also includes
cases where an RU member may quit in order to be available to
care for another family member who is ill, either in the RU
member’s home or elsewhere.

QUIT BECAUSE WANTED TIME OFF --
Voluntarily out of the labor force because of a desire for time
off.

QUIT TO TAKE ANOTHER JOB --
Voluntary termination of employment resulting from acceptance
of other employment opportunities.

UNPAID LEAVE --
An uncompensated leave of absence from a job. The absence must
be at least one work week or longer.

SELF-EMPLOYED --
Individuals working for profit or fee in a business or farm
they own. The business or farm may be incorporated or
unincorporated.

MORE THAN ONE LOCATION --
This question pertains to the establishment which directly
employs (pays) the RU member. A direct employer may have
facilities at more than one location. However, if the employer
is a franchise of a national or international firm with only one
location, then the employer is considered not to have facilities
in more than one location.

INCORPORATED --
Act which makes a business a taxable entity through establishment
of a charter and the satisfaction of all state and/or federal
regulations. Incorporated businesses act through its officers as
a distinct entity, with by-laws and publicly or privately held
stock.

SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP --
Unincorporated business owned by a single individual, needing
only a business license to operate.

PARTNERSHIP --
Unincorporated business owned by two or more individuals, needing
only a business license to operate.

PRIVATE COMPANY, INDIVIDUAL, OR ORGANIZATION --
Employees of an organization whose operations are owned by
private individuals and not a governmental entity.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT --
Federal employees include individuals working for any branch of
the federal government, as well as elected officials and civilian
employees of the armed forces.

STATE GOVERNMENT --
State employees include individuals working for agencies of state
governments, as well as paid state officials, the state police,
and employees of state universities and colleges.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT --
Local government employees include individuals employed by
cities, towns, counties, parishes, and other local areas, as well
as employees of city-owned businesses, such as electric power
companies, water and sewer services, etc.

ARMED FORCES --
Non-civilian members of any of the armed services of the federal
government (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines).

FOREIGN (NON U.S.) GOVERNMENT --
Individuals who work for a government other than the U.S. This
includes all levels of government as long as it is non-U.S.

Do not use this answer category for individuals working at some
level of non-foreign government, but who work outside the
boundaries of the U.S. For example, a person working for the
U.S. State Department in Africa.

ILLNESS OR INJURY --
Inability to work due to impairments, or physical or mental
health conditions. The impairment or condition should be of
such severity that it incapacitates the individual and prevents
him/her from doing any kind of gainful employment.

LAID OFF --
Persons are on layoff if they are waiting to be recalled to a job
from which they were temporarily separated for business-related
reasons, such as temporary drops in demand, business downturns,
plant remodeling, material shortages, and inventory taking.
They must have either been given a date to report back to work
or, if not given a date, must expect to be recalled to their job
within six months.

QUIT BECAUSE WANTED TIME OFF --
Voluntarily out of the labor force because of a desire for time
off.

QUIT TO TAKE OTHER JOB --
Voluntary termination of employment resulting from acceptance
of other employment opportunities.

BUSINESS DISSOLVED OR SOLD --
Voluntary or involuntary cessation of operations by the owners
of the business.

STOPPED/LEFT BUSINESS TO HAVE A BABY --
Pregnant RU member voluntarily terminates, sells, or leaves a
business due to the birth of her child. If the RU member
leaves to take care of an adopted child, code as ‘Stopped/Left
Business to Take Care of Home or Family’.

STOPPED/LEFT BUSINESS TO GO TO SCHOOL --
RU member terminates, sells, or leaves a business in order to
attend classes at any kind of public or private school, including
trade or vocational schools in which students receive no
compensation in money or kind, or only minimal educational
stipends (fellowship, scholarship).

STOPPED/LEFT BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF HOME OR FAMILY --
This answer category includes cases where an RU member
terminates, sells, or leaves a business in order to be in the
household to take care of household duties, children, and/or
spouse. It also includes cases where an RU member may terminate,
sell, or leave a business in order to be available to care for
another family member who is ill, either in the RU member’s home
or elsewhere.

STOPPED/LEFT BUSINESS BECAUSE WANTED TIME OFF --
Voluntarily terminated, sold, or left a business because of a
desire for time off.

STOPPED/LEFT BUSINESS TO TAKE OTHER JOB --
Business was voluntarily terminated, sold, or left in order to
accept an alternative position of employment.

ACTUAL HOURS WORKED PER WEEK --
The number of hours actually worked during a typical work week.
Hours worked will include overtime if the RU member worked
overtime for most of the weeks during the reference period.
The actual hours worked is often not the same as the hours on
which the person’s salary is based. In this question, we want
the ACTUAL hours spent working on the job, whether the hours
are paid or not. However, unpaid hours spent traveling to and
from work are never included in hours worked per week.

PENSION/RETIREMENT PLAN --
Employment benefit which provides income payments to employees
upon their retirement. Pension plans provide benefits to
employees who have met specified criteria, normally age and/or
length of service requirements. The two main types of pension
plans are:

CHOICE OF HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS --
Many employers/establishments offer, instead of one basic plan,
different types of enrollments that attempt to tailor coverage
to the needs of the employee. For each enrollment type, there
may be a different set of coverage provisions, a separate
premium rate, and a varying proportion of total cost assumed by
the employer. Plans may be called HMO, PPO, indemnity, high
deductible, etc.

LABOR UNION --
An organization of wage or salary earners formed for the purpose
of serving their collective interests with respect to wages,
working conditions, and benefits. Participation in a labor union
normally requires that the employee pay dues that may be directly
deducted from their gross wages or salary.

COULD NOT FIND WORK --
Unable to secure gainful employment while in an active job
search.

UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE ILL/DISABLED --
Inability to work due to impairments, or physical or mental
health conditions. The impairment or condition should be of
such severity that it incapacitates the individual and prevents
him/her from doing any kind of gainful employment.

ON TEMPORARY LAYOFF --
Persons are on temporary layoff if they are waiting to be
recalled to a job from which they were temporarily separated for
business-related reasons, such as temporary drops in demand,
business downturns, plant remodeling, material shortages, and
inventory taking. They must have either been given a date to
report back to work or, if not given a date, must expect to be
recalled to their job within six months.

MATERNITY/PATERNITY LEAVE --
Paid or unpaid leave of absence due to pregnancy or care for a
newborn child.

GOING TO SCHOOL --
RU member is no longer employed in order to attend classes at
any kind of public or private school, including trade or
vocational schools in which students receive no compensation in
money or kind or only minimal educational stipends (fellowship,
scholarship).

TAKING CARE OF HOME OR FAMILY --
This answer category includes cases where an RU member ceases
employment in order to be in the household to take care of
household duties, children, and/or spouse. It also includes
cases where an RU member may quit in order to be available to
care for another family member who is ill, either in the RU
member’s home or elsewhere.

WANTED SOME TIME OFF --
Voluntarily out of the labor force because of a desire for time
off.

WAITING TO START NEW JOB --
Unemployment based on the timing of the interview. The RU
member has left one job, but has yet to begin work for a new
employer, although the RU member has been officially hired by
the second employer.

WEEKS WORKED --
If a person worked at least two and one-half days out of the
week, count it as a full week.

WORK FOR PAY --
Paid work for wages, salary, commission, or pay ‘in kind’.
Examples of ‘pay in kind’ include meals, living quarters, or
supplies provided in place of wages. This definition of
employment INCLUDES work in the person’s own business,
professional practice, or farm, paid leaves of absence
(including vacations and illnesses), and work without pay in
a family business or farm run by a relative. This definition
EXCLUDES unpaid volunteer work (such as for a church or
charity), unpaid leaves of absences, temporary layoffs (such
as a strike), and work around the house.

SALARIED --
Salaried employees are paid to perform a job regardless of the
number of hours worked. These employees are not paid on an
hourly basis and may not receive compensation for hours worked
beyond 40 hours per week. In essence, there is little to no link
between compensation and scheduled hours.

PAID BY THE HOUR --
Method of payment in which earnings are paid for each hour
worked. Each straight-time hour is paid at the same rate and the
rate is not dependent on any measure of straight-time hours
worked.

PAID SOME OTHER WAY --
Other means of payment for work include being paid on commission,
paid with bonuses, and payment by the day, piecework, job, or
mile.

BY THE DAY --
Method of payment where the period of employment for which wages
are dispersed is one working day. A common example is child day
care where workers may be compensated for each day worked (not on
an hourly or yearly basis).

PIECEWORK --
A method of incentive wage payment where earnings are based on a
constant rate of pay for each unit of output. For example, $3.50
for each garment produced.

COMMISSION --
A method of incentive payment paid in addition to or in lieu of
a base rate, based upon business created or sales confirmed.
The commission period and the base rate period need not be of
the same length. For example, the commission period could be
monthly, daily, or hourly.

BONUS --
Special cash payments. Sometimes bonuses are given as a reward
for an employee’s production in excess of a quota or for
completion of a job in less than a standard time period.
Bonuses may also be paid by the employer to those employees who
meet certain criteria (e.g., one year of continuous employment
with the establishment) or they may be lump sum payments to all
employees (e.g., Christmas bonuses). Payments may be graduated
according to a worker’s length of service, position in the
organization, or a combination of these and other criteria.

BY THE JOB/MILE --
Method of payment based on each mile driven or job completed.

HOURS WORKED PER WEEK (ON WHICH SALARY BASED) --
The number of hours worked per week on which the person’s salary
is based is often not the same as the hours actually worked. In
this question, we want the number of hours on which the SALARY IS
BASED, regardless of how many actual hours the person works
during the week. Overtime hours should not be included. By
definition, salaried RU members are not compensated for overtime.

TIPS --
Customer payment above amount owed, rendered as supplemental
compensation for an employee.

BONUSES --
Special cash payments. Sometimes bonuses are given as a reward
for an employee’s production in excess of a quota or for
completion of a job in less than a standard time period.
Bonuses may also be paid by the employer to those employees who
meet certain criteria (e.g., one year of continuous employment
with the establishment) or they may be lump sum payments to all
employees (e.g., Christmas bonuses). Payments may be graduated
according to a worker’s length of service, position in the
organization, or a combination of these and other criteria.

COMMISSIONS --
A method of incentive payment paid in addition to or in lieu of
a base rate, based upon business created or sales confirmed.
The commission period and the base rate period need not be of
the same length. For example, the commission period could be
monthly, daily, or hourly.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION --
An organization of individuals that share a professional
affiliation (for example, the American Medical Association).
Membership may include the right to buy health insurance through
the organization or association.

SMALL BUSINESS GROUP --
A group of small businesses that band together to negotiate
better deals on health insurance for their employees than they
could each negotiate on their own.

UNION --
An organization of wage or salary earners formed for the purpose
of serving their collective interests with respect to wages,
working conditions, and benefits. Participation in a labor union
normally requires that the employee pay dues that may be directly
deducted from their gross wages or salary.

INSURANCE AGENT --
An individual primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

INSURANCE COMPANY --
A corporation primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

HMO (HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION) --
HMOs are a common type of insurance plan. If the respondent says
s/he is or has been covered by health insurance from an HMO,
accept her/his response. If the respondent needs clarification,
use the definition below.

HMOs are organizations that have responsibility for providing
comprehensive health care services in exchange for fixed periodic
payment. With an HMO, a person must generally receive their care
from HMO physicians; otherwise the expense is not covered unless
the person was referred by the HMO or there was a medical
emergency. With an HMO, the cost of a visit is typically covered
in full or you have to pay a fixed amount of money per visit.
HMOs can be sponsored by the government, medical schools,
hospitals, employers, labor unions, consumer groups, insurance
companies, and hospital-medical plans.

HIGH RISK POOL –-
High risk pools are designed as a way to provide health insurance
coverage for those who are unable to purchase medical insurance
otherwise. Usually this includes individuals who have been
denied health insurance coverage, typically due to a pre-existing
condition.

Most states have formed their own high risk pools and they are
known by different names in each state. A temporary national
high risk pool program may be in effect until 2014.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYER --
Health insurance purchased for this business through any former
employer. The RU member being asked about must have worked for
this employer at some point in the past.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYER (COBRA) –-
Health insurance purchased for this business through any former
employer. The RU member being asked about must have worked for
this employer at some point in the past. This health insurance
must continue through COBRA.

COBRA is defined as insurance provided by a former employer.
This is a federal law that allows persons without any other group
health insurance to continue their employment-related coverage at
group rates for 18 to 36 months after having left a job.
However, the primary insured person or policyholder usually has
to pay the entire premium.

STATE EXCHANGE NAME/MARKETPLACE --
This is a “new” central marketplace where people can shop for
health insurance plans online, in person or by phone and access
financial assistance to help pay for coverage.

MEDICARE --
A Federal health insurance program for people 65 or older and for
certain persons under 65 with long-term disabilities. Almost
everyone with Social Security is covered by Medicare.

Medicare consists of four parts, A,B,C, and D:

PART A -
Part A is called the Hospital Insurance Program. It helps
pay for inpatient care in a hospital or in a skilled nursing
facility, and for hospice care. It is available to nearly
EVERYONE 65 OR OLDER.

PART B -
Part B is called the Supplementary Medical Insurance
Program. It helps pay for the doctor and surgeon services,
outpatient hospital services, medical equipment, and a
number of other medical services and supplies.

If a person chooses this additional insurance, the monthly
premium is deducted from his/her Social Security to obtain
coverage for Part B of Medicare.

PART C -
Part C encompasses the Medicare Advantage plans. A Medicare
Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is a health plan choice
available as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans,
sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private
companies approved by Medicare. The plan provides all of a
person’s Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical
Insurance) coverage.

PART D –
Medicare Part D coverage, also referred to as Medicare
prescription drug coverage, is insurance that covers both
brand-name and generic prescription drugs at participating
pharmacies. Everyone with Medicare can choose this
additional coverage, regardless of income and resources,
health status, or current prescription expenses.

The purpose of this question is to distinguish between persons that
receive Medicare because they are over 65 and persons who receive
Medicare due to a condition or disability. If the person you are
asking about receives Medicare because of a medical condition or
disability, code ‘1’ (Yes).

CONDITION --
A condition is a physical or mental health problem that can be
identified by a health care professional by examining you and by
using tests.

DISABILITY --
An inability to work or carry out
roles that individuals are generally expected to be able to do
because of limitations in physical or mental functioning caused
by impairments, or physical or mental health conditions.

SOCIAL SECURITY --
Social Security is also known as the Old Age, Survivors and
Disability Insurance program (OASDI), in reference to its three
parts:

RETIREMENT BENEFITS –
The amount of the monthly benefit depends upon previous
earnings and upon the age at which the person chooses to
begin receiving benefits. The earliest age at which benefits
are payable is 62.

DISABILITY –
A person who has worked long enough and recently enough to be
covered can receive benefits upon becoming totally disabled,
regardless of his or her age. The person must be unable to
continue in his or her previous job and unable to adjust to
other work; furthermore, the disability must be long-term
(lasting or expected to last for at least one year or to
result in death). The amount of the disability benefit
payable depends on the person’s age and previous earnings.

SURVIVORS’ BENEFITS –
If a worker covered by Social Security dies, a surviving
spouse or children can receive survivors’ benefits.
Sometimes, survivors’ benefits are available to a divorced
spouse. Children cannot receive survivors’ benefits after age
19 unless the child was disabled before age 22.

MEDICAID/SCHIP --
Since respondents often confuse MediCAID and MediCARE, stress to
the respondent that for this question, s/he should consider
MEDICAID or the State Children’s health Insurance Program
(SCHIP).Medicaid is often known by different names in different
States, and is a Federally-assisted State-administered program.
This program offers health benefits to low income persons on
public assistance and, in some states, to those deemed medically
needy because their incomes are only slightly above public
assistance standards or because they have incurred substantial
medical bills. Most SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients
are covered by Medicaid, as are most TANF recipients and their
dependents. The aged, the blind, and the disabled who are in
financial need are also eligible for Medicaid.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a program
which gives each state permission to offer health insurance for
children, up to age 19, who are not already insured and for
uninsured families with limited income and resources who earn too
much to qualify for Medicaid. SCHIP is a state administered
program and may be known by different names in different states.

TRICARE --
TRICARE is a health care program for active duty and retired
members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors.
TRICARE offers eligible beneficiaries three choices for their
health care; TRICARE Prime – where military treatment facilities
are the principal source of health care; TRICARE Extra – a
preferred provider option; and TRICARE Standard – a fee-for-
service option (the old CHAMPUS Program). TRICARE for life
covers uniformed service beneficiaries who have attained the age
of 65, are Medicare-eligible, and have purchased Medicare Part B.

CHAMPVA --
CHAMPVA is a health care benefits program for the spouse or
widow(er) and for the children of a veteran who is rated
permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected
disability, or died of a service-connected disability, or died on
active duty and the dependents are not otherwise eligible for
TRICARE benefits. Under CHAMPVA, the Veterans Administration
shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with
eligible beneficiaries.

INSURANCE TYPES TO INCLUDE --
Any health insurance that is fully or partially paid for by state
funds (state sponsored) which provides hospital and physician
benefits. This does not include Medicaid or SCHIP(which should
be recorded at the Medicaid/SCHIP question) nor does it include
plans which do not provide hospital and physician benefits (these
plans should be recorded as state specific plans).

OTHER STATE PROGRAMS --
Any public program that provides health services administered by
the state that is NOT considered Medicaid or SCHIP. The programs
we are interested in appear on the CAPI screen and vary by state.
Typically, these programs DO NOT provide hospital and physician
benefits. Pharmacy assistance, AIDS drug assistance and kidney
disease programs are the most common types of other state
specific programs.

In addition to condition-specific programs, enrollment in a state
program such as TANF, SSI, WIC, Indian Health Service (IHS),
public health clinic access and VA health should also be included
at this item if the respondent mentions it.

DO NOT INCLUDE medical programs that use an alternative name such
as Medi-Cal, Public Assistance, SCHIP and Medical Assistance.
Selected state program definitions:

TANF --
This is a cash assistance program. TANF is known by
different names in different states. Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) provides assistance and work
opportunities to needy families.

SSI --
Also known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), this
federal program provides monthly cash payments in accordance
with uniform, nationwide eligibility requirements to persons
of all ages who are blind, disabled, or both needy and 65
years or older.

WIC --
This program provides food assistance and nutritional
screening to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and
their infants, as well as to low-income children up to age
5.WIC is short for the Special Supplemental Food Program for
Women, Infants, and Children.

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE (IHS) --
A Department of Health and Human Services health care
program that provides medical care to eligible American
Indians and Alaska Natives at IHS facilities and pays for
the cost of selected health care services at non-HIS
facilities.

PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC --
Clinics that are run by state and local Public Health
Departments to provide services such as prenatal care.

VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION (VA) HEALTH CARE --
This program provides health care to veterans of the Armed
Forces.

STATE SPECIFIC PLANS --
The programs we are interested in appear on the CAPI screen and
vary by state. Typically, these programs DO NOT provide hospital
and physician benefits. Pharmacy assistance, AIDS drug
assistance and kidney disease programs are the most common types
of other state specific programs. If the respondent only mentions
enrollment in TANF, SSI, WIC, Indian Health Service (IHS), public
health clinic or VA, code ‘NONE OF THESE’ and record program at
HX18.

TANF (TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES) --
This is a cash assistance program. Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) provides assistance and work opportunities to
needy families.

SSI (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME) --
This federal program provides monthly cash payments in accordance
with uniform, nationwide eligibility requirements to persons of
all ages who are blind, disabled, or both needy and 65 years or
older.

WIC (WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN) --
This program provides food assistance and nutritional screening
to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and their infants, as
well as to low-income children up to age 5. WIC is short for the
Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and
Children.

IHS (INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE) --
A Department of Health and Human Services health care program
that provides medical care to eligible American Indians and
Alaska Natives at IHS facilities and pays for the cost of
selected health care services at non-IHS facilities.

PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC --
Clinics that are run by state and local Public Health Departments
to provide services such as prenatal care.

VA (VETERANS ADMINISTRATION) --
This program provides health care to veterans of the Armed
Forces.

GROUP OR ASSOCIATION --
Includes many types of organizations, but principally groups like
the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), church
groups, or clubs. It also may include professional associations.
These are organizations of individuals that share an interest or
common characteristics or professional affiliation (for example,
the American Medical Association). Membership may include the
right to buy health insurance through the organization or
association.

SCHOOL --
Health insurance purchased through a school that covered someone
in the RU during the reference period. Any type of school
applies here, whether it is a grade or high school, college, or
university, trade or vocational school, public or private, etc.

INSURANCE AGENT --
An individual primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

INSURANCE COMPANY --
A corporation primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

HIGH RISK POOL --
High risk pools are designed as a way to provide health insurance
coverage for those who are unable to purchase medical insurance
otherwise. Usually this includes individuals who have been
denied health insurance coverage, typically due to a pre-existing
condition.

Most states have formed their own high risk pools and they are
known by different names in each state. A temporary national
high risk pool program may be in effect until 2014.

ANYONE’S PREVIOUS EMPLOYER (COBRA) --
Health insurance purchased or obtained that covered an RU member
during the reference period through any former employer. An RU
member must have worked for this employer at some point in the
past. This health insurance must continue through COBRA.

COBRA is defined as insurance provided by a former employer.
This is a federal law that allows persons without any other group
health insurance to continue their employment-related coverage at
group rates for 18 to 36 months after having left a job.
However, the primary insured person or policyholder usually has
to pay the entire premium.

ANYONE’S PREVIOUS EMPLOYER (NOT COBRA) --
Health insurance purchased or obtained that covered an RU member
during the reference period through any former employer.
An RU member must have worked for this employer at some point
in the past.

SPOUSE’S/DECEASED SPOUSE’S PREVIOUS EMPLOYER --
Health insurance purchased or obtained that covered an RU member
during the reference period through a spouse’s or deceased
spouse’s former employer. This spouse or deceased spouse must
have worked for this employer at some point in the past.

SOME OTHER EMPLOYER --
Health insurance purchased or obtained from any other employer,
not already asked about that covered someone in the RU during
the reference period. This includes all employer types not
already described above and not talked about in the Employment
Section.

UNDER PLAN OF SOMEONE NOT LIVING HERE --
This includes any type of health insurance provided to an RU
member during the reference period by someone who is not part of
the RU. For example, if a child is covered under his mother’s
insurance, with whom he does not live, code this category.

OTHER SOURCE --
This includes health insurance provided to an RU member by some
source not described above.

MEDICARE PART D –
Medicare Part D coverage, also referred to as Medicare
prescription drug coverage, is insurance that covers both brand-
name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies.
Everyone with Medicare can choose this additional coverage,
regardless of income and resources, health status, or current
prescription expenses.

MEDICARE MANAGED CARE --
Medicare managed care plans are available in some areas of the
country. In most managed care plans, you can only go to doctors,
specialists, or hospitals on the plan’s list. Plans must cover
all services covered by Medicare. Some managed care plans cover
extras.

HMO (HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION) --
HMOs are organizations that have responsibility for providing
comprehensive health care services in exchange for fixed periodic
payment. With an HMO, a person must generally receive their care
from HMO physicians; otherwise the expense is not covered unless
the person was referred by the HMO or there was a medical
emergency. With an HMO, the cost of a visit is typically covered
in full or you have to pay a fixed amount of money per visit.
HMOs can be sponsored by the government, medical schools,
hospitals, employers, labor unions, consumer groups, insurance
companies, and hospital-medical plans.

PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR --
A primary care doctor or provider is the person or place an
individual would go to if they had a new health problem, needed
preventive health care, or needed a referral to a specialist.
Examples of primary care providers include general practitioners,
family practitioners, pediatricians, internists, and some nurses
and nurse practitioners who make decisions regarding patient
care.

ROUTINE CARE --
Health care that is considered usual and customary; that is, care
that is not for an emergency and not received from a specialist
that a person was referred to. Routine care usually consists of
the initial diagnosis and treatment of medical problems,
preventive health care, etc.

PREMIUM --
A payment required in exchange for insurance policy coverage for
a specific period of time.

COPAYMENT --
A fixed sum that a beneficiary pays for health services,
regardless of the actual charge (the insurer pays the rest of the
actual charge). For example, the beneficiary may pay $10 for
each office visit, $75 for each day in the hospital, and $5 for
each drug prescription.

COINSURANCE --
Similar to a co-payment except that it is defined as a percent of
the total charges for the health care service. For example, a
beneficiary may pay 20% of charges for a visit to the doctor or
10% of charges for a hospital stay.

DEDUCTIBLE --
The amount of money an insured person must pay ‘at the front end’
before the insurer will pay. For example, if you have a plan
with a $100 deductible, you would be responsible for the first
$100 of your health care bills.

METAL PLANS --
There are four types of health insurance plans available through
the marketplace. They are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum
health insurance plans. They are sometimes referred to as “metal
plans”.

The metal level corresponds to the average percentage of
essential health care expenses that the plan will pay. On
average, Bronze will cover 60%, Silver 70%, Gold 80% and Platinum
90% of essential health care expenses. This isn’t the same as
coinsurance, in which you pay a specific percentage of the cost
of a specific service. The higher the metal level (i.e. Gold and
Platinum), the more the plan will pay towards your health care
expenses and, therefore, the lower your out-of-pocket costs for
things such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

To qualify for a catastrophic plan, you must be under 30 years
old OR get a “hardship exemption” because the Marketplace
determined that you’re unable to afford health coverage.
Catastrophic health plans have a low premium but very high out-
of-pocket costs.

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HOSPITAL AND PHYSICIAN BENEFITS (INC. COVERAGE THROUGH AN HMO) --
This category represents insurance plans that cover beneficiaries
for health care services received from hospitals and physicians.
Do not include dental insurance, vision insurance, etc.

DENTAL --
This type of insurance covers the costs of specified aspects of
dental care, ranging from coverage of basic diagnostic,
preventive, and restorative services to coverage that includes
oral surgery and orthodontics.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS --
Insurance that provides coverage for prescription drugs.
Prescription drugs are those ordered by a physician or other
authorized medical person through written or verbal prescription
for a pharmacist to fill.

VISION --
Insurance that provides coverage for ophthalmologist, optometrist
and/or optician appointments, glasses, contact lenses, or other
vision corrections.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT/MEDIGAP --
Private insurance products that supplement Medicare insurance
benefits.

LONG-TERM CARE IN A NURSING HOME --
Refers to an insurance policy that pays ONLY for a nursing home
or other long term care.

Long term care does NOT include living in a ‘life care center’
even though long term care may be available as part of the living
arrangement. If the respondent mentions a ‘life care center’ as
a policy, record that information using the code ‘91’ (Other) and
record the name ‘life care center’ on the ‘Specify’ line. This
study does not consider this coverage to be health insurance.

EXTRA CASH FOR HOSPITAL STAYS --
These plans pay a specified amount of cash for each day or week
that a person is hospitalized. The cash payment is not related
in any way to the person’s hospital or medical bills, and can be
used for purposes other than paying medical expenses. For
example, the extra cash can be used to pay for child care when a
parent is ill or to replace income from lost work. This study
does not consider this coverage to be health insurance.

SERIOUS DISEASE OR DREAD DISEASE --
These plans are limited to only certain types of illnesses such
as cancer, stroke, or heart attacks. This study does not consider
this coverage to be health insurance.

DISABILITY --
This kind of insurance pays all or part of an employee’s salary
(and possibly medical care costs) if the employee becomes unable
to work due to physical or mental disability. The study does not
consider this coverage to be health insurance.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION --
A system, required by law, of compensating workers injured or
disabled in connection with work. This system establishes the
liability of an employer for injuries or sickness that arise over
and in the course of employment. The liability is created
without regard to the fault or negligence of the employer. The
benefits under this system generally include hospital and other
medical payments and compensation for loss of income. This study
does not consider this coverage to be health insurance.

ACCIDENT --
Pays for medical services related to injuries of accidental
nature. Since the coverage is limited to accidents, such as car
accidents, the study does not consider this coverage to be health
insurance.

INSURANCE COMPANY --
A corporation primarily engaged in the business of furnishing
insurance protection for the public.

PLAN LETTER --
Medigap insurance is designed to supplement coverage offered
under the Medicare program. Medigap policies sold after 1991 are
assigned a letter A through L. These letters indicate what kind
of coverage the Medigap policy offers.

ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLE --
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket for covered health services
in a calendar year before the insurance company begins to pay for
your health care costs.

This is different from the yearly out-of-pocket maximum which is
the highest amount your health insurance company requires you to
pay towards the cost of your health care.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs) --
An account that is used to pay for medical expenses not covered
by one’s insurance plan. HSAs require a companion high

deductible insurance policy. Contributions are made into the
account by the individual or the individual’s employer. The
contributions are invested over time and can be used to pay for
qualified medical expenses.

HSAs are different from Flexible Spending Accounts in that HSA
balances can roll over from year to year and money in a Flexible
Spending Account must be spent by the end of the plan year or you
lose it. Flexible Spending Account can only be opened when
offered by your employer, and you don’t need to have a high-
deductible health insurance plan or any type of health insurance
plan.

Do not include participation in a Medicare Medical Savings
Account which is associated with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

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UNION -
An organization of wage or salary earners formed for the
purpose of serving their collective interests with respect
to wages, working conditions, and benefits. Participation
in a labor union normally requires that the employee pay
dues that may be directly deducted from their gross wages or
salary.

PRIVATE EMPLOYER -
This category includes insurance obtained through employment
with a private company, individual or organization.
These are organizations whose operations are owned by
private individuals and not a government entity.

PUBLIC EMPLOYER (FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT)-
This category includes insurance obtained through employment
with a public employer, such as the federal, state or local
government.

FEDERAL employees include individuals working for any
branch of the federal government, as well as elected
officials and civilian employees of the armed forces.

STATE employees include individuals working for
agencies of state governments, as well as paid state
officials, the state police, and employees of state
universities and colleges.

LOCAL employees include individuals employed by cities,
towns, counties, parishes, and other local areas, as
well as employees of city-owned businesses, such as
electric power companies, water and sewer services,
etc.

PART B -
Part B is called the Supplementary Medical Insurance Program.
It helps pay for the doctor and surgeon services, outpatient
hospital services, medical equipment, and a number of other
medical services and supplies.
If a person chooses this additional insurance, the monthly
premium is deducted from his/her Social Security to obtain
coverage for Part B of Medicare.

PART D –
Medicare Part D coverage, also referred to as Medicare
prescription drug coverage, is insurance that covers both
brand-name and generic prescription drugs at participating
pharmacies. Everyone with Medicare can choose this additional
coverage, regardless of income and resources, health status,
or current prescription expenses.

MEDICAID/SCHIP --
Since respondents often confuse MediCAID and MediCARE, stress to
the respondent that for this question, s/he should consider
MEDICAID or the State Children’s health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

Medicaid is often known by different names in different States,
and is a Federally-assisted State-administered program. This
program offers health benefits to low income persons on public
assistance and, in some states, to those deemed medically needy
because their incomes are only slightly above public assistance
standards or because they have incurred substantial medical
bills.

Most SSI (Supplemental Security Income) recipients are covered by
Medicaid, as are most TANF recipients and their dependents. The
aged, the blind, and the disabled who are in financial need are
also eligible for Medicaid.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a program
which gives each state permission to offer health insurance for
children, up to age 19, who are not already insured and for
uninsured families with limited income and resources who earn too
much to qualify for Medicaid. SCHIP is a state administered
program and may be known by different names in different states.

TRICARE --
TRICARE is a health care program for active duty and retired
members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors.
TRICARE offers eligible beneficiaries three choices for their
health care; TRICARE Prime – where military treatment facilities
are the principal source of health care; TRICARE Extra – a
preferred provider option; and TRICARE Standard – a fee-for-
service option (the old CHAMPUS Program). TRICARE for life
covers uniformed service beneficiaries who have attained the age
of 65, are Medicare-eligible, and have purchased Medicare Part B.

VA OR MILITARY HEALTH CARE --
This program provides health care to veterans of the Armed
Forces.

GROUP OR ASSOCIATION -
Includes many types of organizations, but principally groups
like the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),
church groups, or clubs. It also may include professional
associations. These are organizations of individuals that
share an interest or common characteristics or professional
affiliation (for example, the American Medical Association).
Membership may include the right to buy health insurance
through the organization or association.

INSURANCE AGENT -
An individual primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

INSURANCE COMPANY -
A corporation primarily engaged in the business of selling
insurance policies to the public.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO) --
HMOs are organizations that have responsibility for providing
comprehensive health care services in exchange for fixed periodic
payment. With an HMO, a person must generally receive their care
from HMO physicians; otherwise the expense is not covered by the
HMO unless the person was referred by the HMO or there was a
medical emergency. With an HMO, the cost of a visit is typically
covered in full or you have to pay a fixed amount per visit.

HMOs
can be sponsored by the government, medical schools, hospitals,
employers, labor unions, consumer groups, insurance companies,
and hospital-medical plans.

OTHER GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PROGRAM --
Any health insurance that is fully or partially paid for by state
funds (state sponsored) which provides hospital and physician
benefits. This does not include Medicaid (which should be
recorded at the Medicaid question) nor does it include plans
which do not provide hospital and physician benefits (these plans
should be recorded as state specific plans).

TANF -
This is a cash assistance program. Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) provides assistance and work
opportunities to needy families.

SSI -
Also known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), this
federal program provides monthly cash payments in accordance
with uniform, nationwide eligibility requirements to persons
of all ages who are blind, disabled, or both needy and 65
years or older.

STATE SPECIFIC PLANS -
The programs we are interested in can vary by state.
Typically, these programs DO NOT provide hospital and
physician benefits. Pharmacy assistance, AIDS drug
assistance and kidney disease programs are the most common
types of other state specific programs. Other examples
include: Temporary Aid For Needy Families (TANF),
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC), Indian Health Service (HIS), public health
clinics and Veterans’ Administration (VA) health care.

GENERAL HEALTH COVERAGE --
Health insurance that covers a broad range of health care
services, including those caused by illnesses, disease, etc.,
as well as, injuries and accidents.

POLICYHOLDER --
The person in whose name the policy is written or the primary
insured person.

POLICYHOLDER --
The person in whose name the policy is written or the primary
insured person.

If respondent cannot identify just one policyholder, select the
oldest person who has this coverage.

EMPLOYMENT --
Paid work for wages, salary, commission, or pay ‘in kind’.
Examples of ‘pay in kind’ include meals, living quarters, or
supplies provided in place of wages. This definition of
employment INCLUDES work in the person’s own business,
professional practice, or farm, paid leaves of absence (including
vacations and illnesses), and work without pay in a family
business or farm run by a relative. This definition EXCLUDES
unpaid volunteer work (such as for a church or charity), unpaid
leaves of absences, temporary layoffs (such as a strike), and
work around the house.

CURRENTLY EMPLOYED --
Person is employed at this establishment as of date of the
interview.

PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED --
Person is not employed as of date of the interview, but has been
employed at this establishment in the past.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT --
Federal employees include individuals working for any branch of
the federal government, as well as elected officials and civilian
employees of the armed forces.

COBRA --
Insurance provided by a former employer. This is a federal law
that allows persons without any other group health insurance to
continue their employment-related coverage at group rates for 18
to 36 months after having left a job. However, the primary
insured person or policyholder usually has to pay the entire
premium.

DEPENDENT --
A person who is covered by an insurance policy purchased or
obtained by another individual (the policyholder).

THIS SCREEN CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT MPC AUTHORIZATION
FORMS, SIGNATURE RULES, AND LEAVING AFs WITH RESPONDENTS.

Prepare one Authorization Form for EACH person-provider pair
displayed by CAPI. Use a black pen. If no preprinted form is
available, use a blank MPC AF from your bulk supplies.

Instructions for filling out authorization forms:

For each absent person who needs to sign an authorization form,
prepare an AF with Sections A, C, and ‘Field Use Only’ filled out.
CIRCLE the item numbers on the lines corresponding to Item 3 (Other
Name) and the appropriate lines for patient and/or proxy signature
and date (Items 4-9) to indicate which items need to be completed by
the absentee signer(s).

Insert the prepared authorization form into the back pocket of the
MPC Authorization Form Booklet. Make arrangements for authorization
form follow up either by mail or an in-person visit. If possible,
make an appointment to return to the RU within 10 days to pick up any
outstanding forms. If the AFs are to be returned by mail, be sure to
include a postage-paid envelope with the materials left with the MPC
Authorization Form Booklet.

SIGNED, NO PROBLEM: With this code, you are required to enter
the date on which the authorization form was signed and the MPC
authorization form number.

SIGNED, WITH PROBLEM: Use this code if there is a problem with a
signed form. Describe the problem as well as enter the date the
authorization form was signed and the MPC authorization form number.

LEFT WITH RESPONDENT: Use this code if the eligible RU member is
not present. Leave the Authorization Form Booklet and prepared
authorization form with the respondent to give to that person. No
additional information is required in CAPI with this authorization
form status.

MAILED TO RESPONDENT: Use this code if the eligible RU member is a
student away at school or is away for an extended period of time.
Mail the Authorization Form Booklet and completed authorization
form to that person. No additional information is required in
CAPI with this code.

REFUSED: Use this code if the RU member refuses to sign the
authorization form. A followup question as to the reason for the
refusal is asked.
If possible, leave the Authorization Form Booklet and prepared
authorization form with the respondent or RU member in case he or
she reconsiders.

OTHER: Use this code if none of the above authorization form status
codes apply. Specify the reason for using this code. Leave the
Authorization Form Booklet and prepared authorization form with
the RU member or respondent.

THIS SCREEN CONTAINS INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT PHARMACY
AUTHORIZATION FORMS, SIGNATURE RULES, AND LEAVING AFs WITH
RESPONDENTS.

Prepare one authorization form for EACH person-pharmacy pair
displayed by CAPI. If the preprinted Pharmacy authorization form
cannot be located, use a blank AF from your bulk supplies.
Instructions for filling out Pharmacy authorization forms:

Section E: If proxy, make sure reason for proxy is marked and
relationship to person is completed.

IMPORTANT: All authorization forms MUST BE signed and dated. If a
proxy signs (Item 6), then Item 7 (Date Signed), Item 8 (Signer’s
Relationship to Person), and Item 9 (Reason for Proxy Signature) must
be completed.

For each absent person who needs to sign a Pharmacy authorization
form, prepare a Pharmacy AF with sections A, C, and ‘FIELD USE ONLY’
filled out. CIRCLE the item numbers on the lines corresponding to
Item 3 (Other Names) and the appropriate lines for person and/or
proxy signature and date (Items 4-9) to indicate which items need to
be completed by absentee signer(s).

Insert the prepared authorization form(s) into the pocket of
the Pharmacy Authorization Form Booklet. Make arrangements for
authorization form followup either by mail or an in-person visit.
If possible, make an appointment to return to the RU within 10 days
to pick up any outstanding authorization forms. If the AFs are to
be returned by mail, be sure to include a postage-paid envelope with
the other materials left with the Authorization Form Booklet.

SIGNED, NO PROBLEM: With this code, you are required to enter the
date on which the authorization form was signed and the Pharmacy
authorization form number.

SIGNED, WITH PROBLEM: Use this code if there is a problem with a
signed form. You are required to describe and enter the Pharmacy
authorization form number.

LEFT WITH RESPONDENT: Use this code if the eligible RU member is not
present. Leave the Authorization Form Booklet and prepared
authorization form with the respondent to give to that person. No
additional information is required in CAPI with this authorization
form status.

MAILED TO RESPONDENT: Use this code if the eligible RU member is a
student away at school or is away for an extended period of time.
Mail the Authorization Form Booklet and prepared authorization form
to that person. No additional information is required in CAPI with
this code.

REFUSED: Use this code if the RU member refuses to sign the
authorization form. A followup question as to the reason for the
refusal is asked.

If possible, leave the Authorization Form Booklet and prepared
authorization form with the respondent or RU member in case he or
she reconsiders.

Having the last 4 digits of your social security number will allow
MEPS to link the information you provided about (yourself/NAME) with
health claims-related records from the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services. The Medicare claims data can help MEPS identify
ways to improve the survey and reduce the amount of time the
interview takes.

Prepare a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) entitled, ‘A Survey
of Your Health Opinions’ for each key member of the RU who is at
least 18years old and is a key member of the RU on the date of the
Round 2 or 4 interview. This information is displayed by CAPI. Use
the following guidelines:

SAQs may be completed either before you leave the RU, or later and
returned by mail. Be sure to leave a prepared SAQ with the respondent
for each eligible key RU member who is not available at the time
of the interview. Outstanding SAQs may be collected during a follow
up visit ONLY IF you will be returning to collect Authorization
Forms.

In Round 2 or 4, every key RU member who was 18 years of age or older
and Part of the RU on the Round 2 or 4 interview date was asked to
complete A Survey of Your Health and Health Opinions.

Persons requested to complete this survey may have returned the
survey while the interviewer was in the household or some may have
preferred to complete it late and mail it back to the home office.

For each person displayed on the CAPI roster, an SAQ was either not
collected at the time of the Round 2 or 4 interview or was not
received by the home office. For these people, we would like to
collect the SAQ now.

If the respondent or eligible person does not recall the SAQ, show an
example to help refresh his/her memory. If the respondent or
eligible person mentions that the SAQ was lost or misplaced,
distribute a blank SAQ to each person whose name is displayed on the
CAPI screen (or has mentioned that a new SAQ is needed). If the
person is unavailable at the time of the interview, leave this SAQ(s)
with the respondent. Use the following guidelines to prepare an SAQ.

SAQs may be completed either before you leave the RU, or later and
returned by mail. Outstanding SAQs may be collected during a
followup visit ONLY IF you will be returning to collect Authorization
Forms.

In Round 5, some RU members are randomly sampled to complete a survey
entitled “Your Choices About Your Health.”

Persons requested to complete this survey may have returned it to the
home office prior to the Round 5 interview date, or they may return
the survey to the interviewer at the time of the Round 5 interview or
they may prefer to complete it later and mail it back to the home
office.

If the respondent or eligible person does not recall this
questionnaire, show an example to help refresh his/her memory. The
questionnaire is titled “Your Choices About Your Health”. The inside
of the questionnaires are blue for males and purple for females. If
the respondent or eligible person mentions that the questionnaire was
lost or misplaced, distribute a blank gender appropriate “Your
Choices About Your Health” questionnaire to each person whose name is
displayed on the CAPI screen (or has mentioned that a new SAQ is
needed). If the person is unavailable at the time of the interview,
leave the appropriate male or female version of the questionnaire(s).

Use the following guidelines to prepare a “Your Choices About Your
Health” questionnaire:

These questionnaires may be completed either before you leave the RU,
or later and returned by mail.

Outstanding “Your Choices About Your Health” questionnaires may be
collected during a follow up visit ONLY IF you will be returning to
collect Authorization Forms.

CALENDAR –-
Any calendar used by the respondent to record information prior
to the MEPS interview. The information may be handwritten or
digitally recorded. Examples include the MEPS monthly planner or
any other hard-copy or electronic calendar – like calendar apps
on a phone or Google calendar.

Do not use this option if you are reconstructing events with a
respondent. Instead select the records used to reconstruct
events.

ELECTRONIC RECORDS --
Any records accessed electronically or through the internet such
as online bank records, online credit card statements, online
patient portal information, or records stored in phone apps.

INSURANCE PAYMENT STATEMENT/EOB --
Forms or explanations of benefits (EOBs) received from insurance
companies or Medicare or full summaries printed out from an
insurance website.

BILL/STATEMENT FROM PROVIDER --
Statements or bills from a doctor’s (or other health care
provider’s) office related to a visit. Some providers give out
full summaries of health care if requested.

PHARMACY PATIENT PROFILE --
Print-outs from a pharmacy regarding all the prescriptions
received during a given time.

MEDICINE BOTTLE/RECEIPT --
Include any bottle, bag, tube, container or receipt the
respondent referenced.

DOCTOR’S CARD OR APPOINTMENT SLIP --
May have been saved with appointment information or used to
gather provider name and address information.

TELEPHONE BOOK --
Code this if a physical phone book was used or if the respondent
used an electronic device or an Internet website to look up a
name or address.

TAX RETURN/TAX FORM --
1040 forms or schedules used to complete the income or assets
sections.

OTHER --
Anything else, such as credit card receipts for other medical
equipment, etc.

USUAL SOURCE OF HEALTH CARE --
The particular medical person, doctor’s office, clinic, health
center, or other place a person would usually go to if he or she
was sick or needed advice about his or her health.

HOSPITAL CLINIC OR OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT --
A unit of a hospital, a facility, or ‘urgent care center’ owned
by or affiliated with a hospital. The hospital clinic or
outpatient department provides health and medical services to
individuals who do not require hospitalization overnight and may
also provide general primary care.

Do NOT include ‘urgent care centers’ which are not owned by, or
affiliated with a hospital. Urgent care centers which are NOT
affiliated with or owned by a hospital should be coded as a
Medical Provider visit.

Examples of outpatient departments include:

HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM --
A medical department at a hospital that is open 24 hours a day
where no appointment is necessary in order to receive care.
Medical care may be administered by a physician, nurse,
physician assistant, or other medical provider. Do NOT include
‘urgent care centers’, which are owned by, or affiliated with a
hospital. Visits made to that type of facility should be coded
as an outpatient department visit.

OTHER KIND OF PLACE --
A medical place that is not a hospital outpatient department or
clinic or a hospital emergency room. Include in this category
group practices, private doctor’s offices, health clinics, walk-
in surgi-center/clinics and urgi-centers/clinics not owned by or
affiliated with a hospital, company or school clinics,
infirmaries, neighborhood health clinics, family planning
centers, and mental health facilities.

MEDICAL DOCTOR --
Include both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of
osteopathy (D.O.). Specific examples of physicians include:

Types of providers NOT to be counted as medical doctors are
chiropractors, dentists, nurses, optometrists, paramedics,
podiatrists, psychologists.

NURSE PRACTITIONER --
A registered nurse (RN) who has completed additional training
beyond basic nursing education. They have qualifications
which permit them to carry out expanded health care evaluation
and decision-making regarding patient care.

PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT --
A Physician Assistant (PA) is a medical person who provides
health care services with the direction and supervision of a
doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathic physician (DO).
Physician Assistants train for several years in order to earn
the certification to perform diagnostic, therapeutic,
preventive, and health maintenance services. Not to be confused
with non-medical persons who also ‘assist’ the physician.

CHIROPRACTOR --
Medical persons who practice a system of medicine based on the
principles that the nervous system largely determines the
state of health and that disease results from nervous system
malfunctioning. Treatment consists primarily of the
adjustment and manipulation of parts of the body, especially
the spinal column.

PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE --
The provider in question provides coverage for care or services
that prevent physical or mental health problems. Preventive
health care or service may include things such as: immunizations,
routine physicals, cholesterol checks, prenatal care, ‘stop
smoking’ classes, nutritional advice, etc.

REFERRAL --
Some health insurance plans require that individuals get
authorization before consulting a specialist. This authorization
is a referral.

DENTAL CHECK-UP -
A visit to a dental care provider to check the health status of
the person’s teeth. It often includes examination, x-rays and/or
cleaning and polishing of the teeth.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK –
Application of a device that measures the person’s blood pressure.
The device typically involves a strap that is placed around the
upper arm and inflated. Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by
the blood against the inner walls of the blood vessels, especially
the arteries; it varies with health, age, emotional stress, etc.

BLOOD CHOLESTEROL CHECK -
A blood cholesterol check requires taking a blood sample from the
person. The blood is then analyzed to determine the level of
cholesterol it contains. Cholesterol is a type of fatty substance
found in animal fats, blood, nerve tissue, and bile. High levels
of cholesterol are thought to be a factor in coronary heart
disease.

FLU VACCINATION -
A flu vaccination protects a patient against “influenza,” also
called the flu.? The vaccine, which may be in the form of a shot
given in the arm or a nasal spray, can help to prevent the patient
from catching a severe respiratory infection that can be caused by
the flu virus.

HYSTERECTOMY -
A hysterectomy is an operation in which the uterus or womb is
surgically removed.

MODERATE OR VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY –
Moderate physical activity causes only light sweating or a slight
or moderate increase in breathing or heart rate and would include
activities such as fast walking, raking leaves, mowing the lawn,
or heavy cleaning. Vigorous physical activity causes heavy
sweating or large increases in breathing or heart rate and would
include activities such as running, race walking, lap swimming,
aerobics classes, or fast bicycling.

TAX RETURN -
A form on which taxable income is reported and tax is computed.
The form is then sent to the appropriate level of the government
(e.g., state, federal, etc.). Tax returns can be submitted to the
government on paper or electronically by computer or telephone.

SINGLE -
A tax filing status that can be used by anyone who was never
married, legally separated, or widowed and not remarried as of
December 31st of the tax year. Reports taxable income of one tax
filer.

MARRIED FILING JOINT RETURN -
A tax filing status that can be used by anyone who was married as
of December 31st of the tax year (even if person is not living with
the spouse at the end of the tax year) or whose spouse died between
January 1st of the tax year and April 31st of the following year
and the person did not remarry. Reports taxable income of two tax
filers: a husband and wife.

MARRIED FILING SEPARATELY -
A tax filing status that can be used by anyone who meets the
criteria for ‘married filing joint return,’ however, the tax return
reports the taxable income of ONE tax filer: either the husband OR
the wife.

HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD WITH QUALIFYING PERSON -
A tax filing status that can be used by anyone who is UNMARRIED and
who paid over half of the cost of keeping up a home that was the
main home for all of the tax year for any of the following people:

This filing status can also be used by someone who is married
and who is legally separated from his/her spouse in the tax
year and who:

QUALIFYING WIDOW(ER) WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN -
A tax filing status that can be used by anyone whose spouse died in
either of the two years previous to the tax year and the person has
not remarried in the tax year and who:

FILING JOINTLY -
When the person files his/her tax return under the tax filing
status of ‘married filing joint return.’ This tax filing status
can be used by anyone who was married as of December 31st of the
tax year (even if person was not living with the spouse at the end
of the tax year) or whose spouse died between January 1st of the
tax year and April 31st of the following year and the person did
not remarry. Reports taxable income of two tax filers: a husband
and wife.

DEPENDENTS -
For tax filing purposes, a dependent of the tax filer is someone
who meets all of the following criteria:

HOUSEHOLD -
The household is all of the family members who are currently living
in the RU being interviewed.

ITEMIZED DEDUCTION -
When the deduction that is used in the process of determining the
tax filer’s taxable income is determined by listing and totaling
a variety of expenses (e.g., medical expenses, various taxes such
as estate or real estate taxes, mortgage interest, charitable
contributions, etc.). These expenses are listed on the Schedule
A tax form for itemized deductions.

STANDARD DEDUCTION -
When the deduction that is used in the process of determining the
tax filer’s taxable income is a single dollar amount, determined
by the government. This amount is found on a chart in the tax
booklet and is based on the tax filing status.

HEALTH INSURANCE DEDUCTION -
A person may be able to deduct 100% of the amount paid for medical
and dental insurance and qualified long-term care insurance for
themselves, their spouse and dependents if they are one of the
following:

If the person responds that he/she does not qualify for this
deduction, code ‘3’ (not applicable).

EARNED INCOME CREDIT -
An amount that can be deducted from the tax filer’s net income in
determining his/her taxable income. It is available to tax filers
who do not have any qualifying children, earned less than $9,230 in
the tax year, and the tax filer(s) are at least 25 years old on the
last day of the tax year.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR WAGES OR SALARY, TIPS, COMMISSIONS, OR
BONUSES) -
This includes all income from wages, salary, commissions, and
bonuses and is shown in Box 2 of the tax filer’s W-2 form. Tips,
scholarships, fellowship grants, and dependent care benefits should
also be included.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR INTEREST FROM SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, BONDS, NOW
ACCOUNTS, MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS, OR SIMILAR TYPES OF INVESTMENTS) -
Include interest income from seller-financed mortgages, banks,
savings and loan associations, money market certificates, credit
unions, savings bonds, etc. These amounts can be found on forms
1099-INT or 1099-OID.

DIVIDENDS -
Money that is divided among stockholders, creditors, members of a
cooperative, etc. These amounts can be found on form 1099-DIV.

INCOME TAX REFUNDS -
These amounts represent that part of a refund of State (and Local,
if applicable) income tax attributable to itemized deductions taken
in a prior year that resulted in a Federal tax benefit. Typically
the taxpayer reports as an itemized deduction for Federal income
taxes the amount of State (and Local) income tax withheld from
their earnings during the year. If the tax filer has more State
and Local income tax withheld during the year than was required,
the State government will reimburse or “refund” the over-payment
during the following year.

ALIMONY -
An allowance that the court orders paid to a person by his/his
spouse or former spouse after a legal separation or divorce or
while legal action is pending.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR EARNINGS OR LOSS FROM OWN FARM) -
Include income or loss associated with being the sole proprietor of
a farm. Farm business costs and expenses are deductible from farm
gross business receipts in arriving at farm net profit or loss.
Gains and losses from these sources are calculated on Schedule F.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR NON-FARM BUSINESS OR PRACTICE) -
Include income or loss associated with being the sole proprietor of
a non-farm business, including self-employed members of a
profession. Business costs and expenses are deductible from gross
receipts or gross sales in arriving at net profit or loss.
Compensation of the sole proprietor is taxable income and,
therefore, not allowed as a business deduction in computing net
income. The net gain or loss is computed on Schedule C or C-EZ.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR NET GAIN/LOSS FROM SALE OF PROPERTY OR OTHER
ASSETS) -
Both sales of capital and non-capital assets are to be included.
In general, capital assets for tax purposes include all property
held for personal use or investment. Examples of such assets are
personal residences, furniture, automobiles, and stocks and bonds.
Net gains or losses from the sale of capital assets are reported on
Schedule D. Net capital gains also include capital gain
distributions reported directly on Form 1040 if the tax filer did
not have other gains or losses to report on Schedule D. Property
other than capital assets generally includes property of a business
nature, and net gains or losses from the sale of such assets is
reported on Form 9747.

IRA (INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT) -
An Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, is a personal retirement
plan whereby a limited amount of annual earnings may be invested,
as in mutual funds or a savings account, with the investment money
and its earnings being tax-free until retirement. Payments from
these accounts must be reported on the tax filer’s income tax
return.

Payments include regular distributions, early distributions,
rollovers, and any other money or property the person received from
his/her IRA account or annuity. These amounts can be found on form
1099-R.

KEOGH ACCOUNT -
A retirement plan for self-employed persons and certain groups
of employees whereby a limited amount of annual earnings may be
invested, as in mutual funds or a savings account, with the
invested money and its earnings being tax-free until retirement.
These amounts can be found on form 1099-R.

401K -
A 401(k) is an optional retirement plan supported by many
companies. This money is taken out and invested before the
employee’s paycheck is taxed. The plan is set up by a qualified
employer with the primary contributions being deposited by the
employee. Often there is a company matching plan where they will
also contribute a percentage of the money the employee contributed.
While the 401(k) continues to grow, taxes will not be paid on it.
When the employee withdraws the money at retirement, he/she will be
taxed on the amount in the account. There is a penalty to remove
the money prior to retirement age; however, many plans allow the
employee to borrow money using the plan as collateral or remove the
money without penalty in certain emergencies. These amounts can be
found on form 1099-R.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR PRIVATE PENSIONS, MILITARY RETIREMENT, OTHER
FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PENSIONS, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONS OR
ANNUITIES) -
Payments from pensions and annuities, including payments
(distributions) from retirement plans, life insurance annuity
contracts, profit-sharing plans, employee savings plans, disability
pensions received after the tax filer has reached the minimum
retirement age set by his/her employer.

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (NET GAIN OR LOSS FROM ESTATES OR TRUSTS,
PARTNERSHIPS, S CORPORATIONS, ROYALTIES, OR RENTAL INCOME) -
Gains and losses from these sources are calculated on Schedule E.

ESTATE OR TRUST: Include income that was the beneficiaries’
share of fiduciary income from any estate or trust, for
example, income required to be distributed, amounts credited to
beneficiaries’ accounts from fiduciary income, and any
“accumulation distribution” made by the fiduciary of a “complex
trust” for income accumulated in prior tax years.

PARTNERSHIP OR S CORPORATION: Since partnerships and
S corporations are not taxable entities, their net profit or
loss is taxed, in general, directly to the members of the
partnership or shareholders in the S corporation. This income
includes the taxpayer’s share of the ordinary gain or loss of
the enterprise and certain payments made to the taxpayer for
the use of capital or as a salary.

RENTAL INCOME: Income or loss less amounts for depreciation,
repairs, improvements and other allowable expenses related to
the rented property.

ROYALTIES: Income from oil, gas and other mineral rights,
patents, and literary, musical or artistic works.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION -
Payments made by a State government to a person who is unemployed.
Payments are usually at regular intervals and over a fixed period
of time. These amounts can be found on form 1099-G.

SOCIAL SECURITY -
Social Security is also known as the Old Age, Survivors and
Disability Insurance program (OASDI), in reference to its three
parts:

WORKER’S COMPENSATION -
A system, required by law, of compensating workers injured or
disabled in connection with work. This system establishes the
liability of an employer for injuries or sickness that arise over
and in the course of employment. The liability is created without
regard to the fault or negligence of the employer. The benefits
under this system generally include hospital and other medical
payments and compensation for loss of income.

S.S.I. (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME) -
Also known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), this federal
program provides monthly cash payments in accordance with uniform,
nationwide eligibility requirements to persons of all ages who are
blind, disabled, or both needy and 65 years or older.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE -
Public assistance payments include assistance payments made to
low-income persons, such as temporary assistance for needy families
(TANF), and general assistance.

TANF (TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES) -
This is a cash assistance program. TANF is known by different
names in different states. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
(TANF) provides assistance and work opportunities to needy
families.

CHILD SUPPORT -
Payments that the court orders a parent to pay to cover the cost of
the care of a child who is not living with the parent making the
payment.

WHO TO INCLUDE (FOR RECEIVING CHILD SUPPORT) -
Any/all members of RU are eligible to receive child support. Child
support are payments that the court orders a parent to pay to cover
the cost of the care of a child who is not living with the parent
making the payment.

VETERAN’S PAYMENTS -
Veterans’ payments include payments made periodically by the
Department of Veterans Affairs to disabled members of the Armed
Forces or to survivors of deceased veterans for education and
on-the-job training, and means-tested assistance to veterans.

REGULAR CASH CONTRIBUTIONS: include periodic payments from
non-household members. Gifts or sporadic assistance from persons
outside the household are not included.

HOUSEHOLD: The household is all of the family members who are
currently living in the RU being interviewed.

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) –-

SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) enables
eligible low-income households to buy nutritious food with
electronic benefits they can use like a debit card to
purchase food at stores authorized by USDA.

WAGES –
Money paid by an employer for each hour the person works.
Hours worked beyond 40 hours a week might be compensated at a
higher rate than regular hours. There is a direct link
between compensation and hours worked.

SALARY –
Money paid by an employer for the performance of a job,
regardless of how many hours are worked. The workers are not
paid on an hourly basis and might not receive compensation
for hours worked beyond 40 hours per week. In essence, there
is little or no link between compensation and hours worked.

FARM INCOME (OR LOSS) --
Include income or loss associated with being the sole proprietor of
a farm. Farm business costs and expenses are deductible from farm
gross business receipts in arriving at farm net profit or loss.
Gains and losses from these sources are calculated on Schedule F.

BUSINESS INCOME (OR LOSS) --
Include income or loss associated with being the sole proprietor of
a non-farm business, including self-employed members of a
profession. Business costs and expenses are deductible from gross
receipts or gross sales in arriving at net profit or loss.
Compensation of the sole proprietor is taxable income and,
therefore, not allowed as a business deduction in computing net
income. The net gain or loss is computed on Schedule C or C-EZ.

SOCIAL SECURITY --
Social Security is also known as the Old Age, Survivors and
Disability Insurance program (OASDI), in reference to its three
parts:

RAILROAD RETIREMENT --
A federally legislated program which provides retirement,
disability, and survivor annuities to workers whose employment was
connected with the railroad industry for at least 10 years. The
system provides for close coordination with the Social Security
system. Benefits are financed through a combination of employee,
employer, and Federal Government contributions.

PRIVATE, MILITARY, OR GOVERNMENT PENSIONS --
Pensions are employee benefits which provide income payments to
employees upon their retirement. Pensions provide benefits to
employees who have met specified criteria, normally age and/or
length of service requirements. Pensions can be paid by various
employers including private companies, the military, or any level
of the government.

INTEREST --
Money paid to a person as compensation for the use of his/her money
that is held in seller-financed mortgages, banks, savings and loan
associations, money market certificates, credit unions, savings
bonds, etc.

DIVIDENDS --
Money that is divided among stockholders, creditors, members of a
cooperative, etc.

RENTAL INCOME (OR LOSS) --
Income or loss less amounts for depreciation, repairs, improvements
and other allowable expenses related to the rented property.

VALUE (FOR ‘THIS HOME’) --
When determining the present value of real estate (the primary
residence), we want to know the market value for the land and
structures on that land. This would be the amount the property
would bring if sold in the current real estate market. The
respondent should not report the profit he or she would make if
the property was sold, but the actual sale price that could be
achieved.

If the respondent has no idea what the property would bring in
the current market, the tax appraisal value may be entered
instead.

MORTGAGES –
Include only the principal balance that has not yet been paid.
The respondent should not include items such as interest,
property tax, insurance, escrow, etc. that might be included
in the mortgage payments.

OUTSTANDING LOANS –
These are loans that have not been paid in full, that is,
money is still owed.

CURRENTLY OWED (FOR REAL ESTATE AND VEHICLES) --
Include only the principal balance that has not yet been paid. The
respondent should not include items such as interest, property
tax, insurance, escrow, etc. that might be included in the
mortgage or vehicle payments.

VALUE (FOR VEHICLES) --
When determining the present value of transportation vehicles, we
want to know the market value for the vehicles. This would be the
amount the vehicles would bring if sold in the current market. The
respondent should not report the profit he or she would make if
the vehicle(s) were sold, but the actual sale price(s) that could
be achieved.

MONEY OWED –
Include only the principal balance that has not yet been
paid. The respondent should not include items such as
interest, that might be included in the vehicle payments.

OUTSTANDING LOANS –
These are loans that have not been paid in full, that is,
money is still owed.

IRA –
An Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, is a personal
retirement plan whereby a limited amount of annual earnings
may be invested, as in mutual funds or a savings account,
with the investment money and its earnings being tax-free
until retirement. Payments from these accounts must be
reported on the tax filer’s income tax return. Payments
include regular distributions, early distributions,
rollovers, and any other money or property the person
received from his/her IRA account or annuity.

401K –
A 401(k) is an optional retirement plan supported by many
companies. This money is taken out and invested before the
employee’s paycheck is taxed. The plan is set up by a
qualified employer with the primary contributions being
deposited by the employee. Often there is a company matching
plan where they will also contribute a percentage of the
money the employee contributed.

403(b) ACCOUNT –
A 403(b) is a retirement savings plan available for public
education organizations, some non-profit employers and self-
employed ministers in the United States. It is similar to a
401(k) plan where part of the employee’s salary is taken out
and invested in the 403(b) plan before income tax is paid on
it. The investment is allowed to grow tax deferred until the
money is taxed as income when taken out of the plan.

KEOGH ACCOUNT –
A retirement plan for self-employed persons and certain
groups of employees whereby a limited amount of annual
earnings may be invested, as in mutual funds or a savings
account, with the invested money and its earnings being tax-
free until retirement.

VALUE (FOR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS) --
The amount of money you would receive today if you withdrew all
the money in these types of accounts. Do not deduct from this
amount any penalties that might be incurred because of early
withdrawal.

CHECKING ACCOUNTS –
A bank account against which the depositor can draw checks for
transfer of funds to the name on the check. Checking accounts
may or may not bear interest.

SAVINGS ACCOUNTS –
A bank account that bears interest. Generally, deposits and
withdrawals of funds are done at the banking institution with
withdrawn funds going directly to the holder of the account
or another of his or her bank account.

MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS –
An account that requires that you keep a minimum balance and
allows you to write checks, but limits the number you may
write and has a minimum allowable amount of each check
written.

VALUE (FOR BANK ACCOUNTS) --

The amount you would receive if you withdrew all the money in
these accounts today. Do not deduct from this amount any
penalties that might be incurred because of early withdrawal.

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT (CDs) –
A bank certificate acknowledging the receipt of a specified
large sum of money in a special kind of time deposit drawing
interest and requiring written notice of withdrawal and
usually subject to financial penalties if withdrawals are
made before the maturity date. Also known as CDs.

GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BONDS –
Any of various series of interest-bearing certificates issued
by a government (local, state, or federal) promising to pay
the holder a specified sum on a specified date, usually
maturing over long periods.

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS –
Matched savings accounts that enable people with low incomes
to save money and build assets. Every dollar that is saved in
an IDA will be matched with donations from government
agencies, non-profit organizations and private companies

TREASURY BILLS –
Also called T-bills. Treasury Bills mature in one year or
less. They do not pay interest prior to maturity; instead
they are sold at a discount of the face value.

BONDS, BOND MUTUAL FUNDS –
A certificate of debt issued by a corporation, government
(local or federal), or foreign country that guarantees
payment of the original investment plus interest by a
specified future date.

SHARES OF STOCK –
The capital or funds that a corporation raises through the
sale of shares entitling the holder to dividends and the other
rights of ownership.

STOCK MUTUAL FUNDS –
A company without fixed capitalization freely buys and sells
its own shares and uses the capital to invest in other
companies.

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS –
Education Savings Accounts can refer to 529 plans or Coverdell
Education Savings Accounts.

PREPAID –
Prepaid plans allow one to purchase tuition credits,
at today’s rates, to be used in the future.
Therefore, performance is based upon tuition
inflation. May be administered by states or higher
education institutions.
SAVINGS –
Savings plans are different in that all growth is
based upon market performance of the underlying
investments, which typically consist of mutual
funds. May be administered by states, but record-
keeping and administrative services are usually
delegated to a mutual fund company or other
financial services company.

COVERDELL EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT –
Also known as an Education Savings Account, a
Coverdell ESA, a Coverdell Account, or just an ESA and
formerly known as an Education Individual Retirement
Account. Coverdell ESAs allow money to grow tax
deferred and proceeds to be withdrawn tax free for
qualified education expenses at a qualified
institution. Qualified expenses in an ESA includes
primary and secondary school, not just college and
university.

ANNUITIES –
A contract sold by an insurance company designed to provide
payments to the holder at specified intervals, usually after
retirement. The holder is taxed only when they start taking
distributions or if they withdraw funds from the account. All
annuities are tax-deferred, meaning that the earnings from
investments in these accounts grow tax-deferred until
withdrawal. Annuity earnings are also tax-deferred so they
cannot be withdrawn without penalty until a certain specified
age. Fixed annuities guarantee a certain payment amount,
while variable annuities do not.

BENEFICIARY TO A TRUST –
Another person’s asset is being held in your name by a third
party.

VALUE (FOR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS) --
The total amount that would be received if all of the ‘other’
assets were sold or otherwise converted to cash.

This includes any amounts you would receive if you withdrew all
the money in any financial account today. Do not deduct from
this amount any penalties that might be incurred because of
early withdrawal.

SECOND HOME –
Includes any other homes an RU member owns (i.e., the RU
member’s name is on the title) other than his or her primary
residence. Examples include vacation homes and housing units
that are rented to others.

REAL ESTATE –
Land, including the buildings and improvements on it and it’s
natural assets, such as minerals, water, etc.

BUSINESS –
A business exists when one or more of the following
conditions are met: (1) Machinery or equipment of substantial
value is in use in conducting business; (2) an office, store
or other place of business is maintained, or (3) the business
is advertised by listing in the classified section of the
phone book, displaying a sign, distributing cards or
leaflets, or any other methods which publicize that the work
or service is offered to clients.

FARM –
Includes buildings on the premises of a farm, such as a barn or
farm house, or on any land that is part of the farm, such as
land under cultivation.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES –
Vehicles used for the purpose of relaxation or amusement such
as mopeds, camping trailers, motor homes, boats, airplanes, jet
skis, snowmobiles, gliders, canoes, kayaks, or hang gliders,
etc.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ASSETS –
Include any savings or assets owned by an RU member that have
not already been accounted for in previous questions. For
example, cash stored in the home, jewelry, art, antiques,
money owed to an RU member by others, or a collection for
investment purposes (’collectibles’ such as coins, postage
stamps, baseball cards, etc.).

VALUE (FOR OTHER PROPERTIES OR ASSETS) --
The total amount that would be received if all of the ‘other’
assets were sold or otherwise converted to cash.

IF REAL ESTATE - We want to know the market value for the land
and structures on that land. This would be the amount the
property would bring if sold in the current real estate
market. The respondent should not report the profit he or she
would make if the property was sold, but the actual sale
price that could be achieved.

If the respondent has no idea what the property would bring
in the current market, the tax appraisal value may be entered
instead.

IF BUSINESS OR FARM - We want to know the market value of the land,
structures, equipment, and other capital on that land. This
would be the amount the farm or business would bring if sold
in the current market.
The respondent should not report the profit he or she would
make if the farm or business was sold, but the actual sale
price that could be achieved. Also, income from the farm or
business should not be included at this question.

IF BOAT OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - We want to know the market
value for the vehicles. This would be the amount the vehicles
would bring if sold in the current market. The respondent
should not report the profit he or she would make if the
vehicle(s) were sold, but the actual sale price(s) that could
be achieved.

IF JEWELRY, ART WORK, ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, ETC. - We want to
know the market value for the item(s). This would be the
amount the item(s) would bring if sold in the current market.
The respondent should not report the profit he or she would
make if the item (s) were sold, but the actual sale price(s)
that could be achieved.

If the respondent has no idea what the item(s) would bring in
the current market, the appraisal value may be entered

MONEY OWED –
Include only the principal balance that has not yet been
paid. The respondent should not include items such as
interest, property tax, insurance, escrow, etc. that might be
included in the mortgage, vehicle, or loan payments.

OUTSTANDING LOANS –
These are loans that have not been paid in full, that is,
money is still owed.

CURRENTLY OWED (FOR OTHER PROPERTY AND ASSETS) --
Include only the principal balance that has not yet been paid.
The respondent should not include items such as interest, property
tax, insurance, escrow, etc. that might be included. in the
mortgage, vehicle, or loan payments.

DEBTS --
A financial obligation or liability of one person to another or
others. Includes formal arrangements such as bank loans and credit
card debt as well as private arrangements such as loans from a
parent. A debt might or might not include interest on the
principal loan amount.

DEBTS AMOUNT TO --
Include only the principal balance that has not yet been paid for
all debts other than those specifically asked about in previous
questions. The respondent should not include items such as
interest, property tax, insurance, escrow, etc. that might be
included in debt payments.

CS28
CS28OV
CS29
CS29OV
CS30
CS30OV
CS31
CS31OV
CS32
CS32OV
CS33
CS33OV
CS35
CS35OV

“ADVICE TO YOU” --
“Advice to you” can mean advice given to anyone in the RU or a
parent or guardian outside of the RU on behalf of (PERSON) by
any type of doctor or other health provider. Include advice
given in either written or verbal form.

A health provider could be a general doctor, a specialist doctor,
a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, a nurse, or anyone
else (PERSON) would see for health care.

“ADVICE TO YOU (ABOUT HELMETS)” --
“Advice to you” can mean advice given to anyone in the RU or a
parent or guardian outside of the RU on behalf of (PERSON) by
any type of doctor or other health provider. Include advice
given in either written or verbal form.

A health provider could be a general doctor, a specialist doctor,
a nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, a nurse, or anyone
else (PERSON) would see for health care.

In addition to advice given to you about (PERSON) using a helmet
when riding a bicycle or motorcycle, please also include advice
given to you about children wearing helmets when riding ATV’s,
battery powered cars, on the back of an adult’s bicycle, or in
jogging strollers.

HYPERTENSION -
Hypertension, is also known as high blood pressure. It is defined
as a long-term high resting systolic blood pressure (the “top”
number, which represents the pressure generated when the heart
beats) above 140, and/or high diastolic blood pressure (the
“bottom” number, which represents the pressure in the vessels when
the heart is at rest) above 90. Hypertension often has no
symptoms, though patients often complain of headaches. Treatment
typically includes medications and lifestyle changes, such as
weight loss, exercise, and dietary adjustments. Do NOT include
pregnancy-induced hypertension, also known as preeclampsia, for
this question.

Preeclampsia, can happen in late pregnancy and is
characterized by persistently high blood pressure, swelling of
the extremities, and protein in the urine. Typically with
pregnancy-induced hypertension, blood pressure returns to
normal shortly after delivery.

OTHER TYPES OF HEART CONDITIONS TO INCLUDE --

If ‘coronary heart disease’, ‘angina’, ‘heart attack’, or
‘myocardial infarction’ are mentioned, back up to PE05, PE07, or
PE09, as appropriate.

Include any other types of heart conditions or diseases affecting
the person during his or her lifetime. This includes, but is not
limited to, congenital heart diseases, heart murmurs, irregular
heartbeat, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, inflammatory heart disease,
and valvular heart disease.

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK –-

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an episode that occurs when
the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. TIA
symptoms, which usually occur suddenly, are similar to those of
stroke but do not last as long. Most symptoms of a TIA disappear
within an hour, although they may persist for up to 24 hours.
Symptoms can include muscle weakness, numbness on one side of the
body, trouble speaking, swallowing, and memory loss among others.
A TIA is often considered a warning sign that a true stroke may
happen in the future if something is not done to prevent it.

EMPHYSEMA –-
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease in which the air
sacs in the lungs become damaged. Its primary symptom is
progressive shortness of breath. Emphysema is one of several
diseases known collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD).

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection or by
inhaling irritating fumes. Symptoms include cough, fever, and chest
pain.

ACUTE BRONCHITIS –-
Acute bronchitis develops suddenly. It generally lasts less
than 2 weeks. Most healthy people who develop bronchitis get
better without any complications.

CHRONIC BRONCHITIS --
Chronic bronchitis becomes long-term. A cough that lasts for
at least 3 months to two years in a row suggests chronic
bronchitis. It is a form of COPD (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease).

REMISSION --

A complete or partial disappearance of the signs and symptoms of
disease in response to treatment. This is generally the period
during which a disease is under control. A remission, however, is
not necessarily a cure.

DIABETES -
Diabetes is a health problem caused by decreased production of
insulin, or by decreased ability to use insulin. Insulin is a
hormone produced by the pancreas that is necessary for cells to
be able to use blood sugar. Diabetes occurs in several forms, the
most common are: Type I, Type II, and gestational diabetes.
However, do NOT include any occurrence of gestational diabetes
for this question.

Gestational diabetes starts or is first recognized during
pregnancy. It usually becomes apparent during the 24th to 28th
weeks of pregnancy. In many cases, the blood-glucose level
returns to normal after delivery.

Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints of the body,
usually with pain, redness, and stiffness.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS --
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that can affect
joints in any part of the body. The immune system mistakenly
causes the joint lining to swell.

OSTEOARTHRITIS --
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs
when the cartilage wears away, and can occur in any joint, but
often affects the hands, knees, hips, and joints in the spine.
Osteoarthritis is sometimes called degenerative joint disease.

ASTHMA -
Asthma is a lung problem that makes breathing difficult. Asthma
causes attacks of wheezing but there are also time periods with
relatively normal breathing. Treatment for mild asthma (rare
attacks) typically includes the use of inhalers on an as-needed
basis. Treatment for significant asthma (symptoms occur at least
every week) typically includes the regular use of anti-
inflammatory medications, usually inhaled steroids and
bronchodilators.

ASTHMA ATTACK -
When you have an asthma attack, your airways narrow in response
to some form of irritation, or “trigger,” making breathing
difficult. The muscles around the airways also tighten, further
closing off breathing. The resulting symptoms include coughing,
wheezing, shortness of breath, and a tight feeling in the chest.
In a severe attack, breathing may be blocked. Asthma “attacks”
range from mild to life threatening and can last minutes to days.

MEPS P21R5/P22R3/P23R1 Consolidated Help Text
November 14, 2017

F1 Help Text

MEPS P21R5/P22R3/P23R1 Consolidated Help Text November 14, 2017

F1 Help Text

MEPS P21R5/P22R3/P23R1 Consolidated Help Text
November 14, 2017