MEPS Start/Restart (ST) Section

Route Details: RU Classifications: The following RU classifications are used throughout the reenumeration section in skip and word fill specifications:

Standard RU - An RU (other than a student RU) that existed in the previous round. During the interview with the standard RU, information may be obtained that identifies a ‘NEW RU’ or a ‘STUDENT RU’ and a new case is created. See definitions below.

New RU - When one or more RU members are identified as having left the RU and formed one or more new RUs, a new case is created for each of the new RUs where at least one key RU member lives. In the current round, the case is classified as a ‘NEW RU’ unless it satisfies the conditions for a ‘STUDENT RU’ (see definition below). In the next round, the new RU will be reclassified as a ‘STANDARD RU’ since it existed in the previous round.

Student RU - When an RU member is identified in a standard or new RU as being age 17-23 (inclusive), NEVER MARRIED, NON-MILITARY, and LIVING AWAY FROM THE STANDARD/NEW RU AT POST- SECONDARY SCHOOL WITHIN THE U.S., an RU is created and classified as a ‘STUDENT RU’. The ‘STUDENT RU’ remains classified as a ‘STUDENT RU’ until one of the criteria for a student RU classification is violated (e.g., age range or marital status). (Note: a student RU is always a single-person RU.)

Note: The NHIS original RUs are determined from In-House Pre- Processing and are classified as standard RUs.

Note: References to the RU-members-roster and ‘RU MEMBERS’ in these specifications indicate the roster in its current state; that is, including all additions to and deletions from the roster that occur up to the point at which the reference is made.

Therefore, if Round 1, the first time a case is worked during the round, at the beginning of the RE section, the roster includes all original NHIS RU members. If not round 1, the first time a case is worked in the round, at the beginning of the RE section, the roster includes all RU members who were eligible or institutionalized on the date of the previous round interview.

In all rounds, for a case that has had a breakoff after the RE section, the roster includes persons eligible or institutionalized at the end of RE. For a split RU, the roster includes RU members who split from the original RU.

Restart Definition:

A case is a “restart” if the FI has passed RE40_07 (updated RU address/phone). Any break off prior to or at RE40_07 should wipe out all the data and assume that the case wasn’t worked for that session.

Exit the case, but don’t save data for current session. This includes any new RU member respondent, proxy, or merged DU member who may have been selected as the respondent (it is not saved).

For next start/restart, start with the exact data you started this session with.

If FI Breakoffs prior to or at RE40_07, display the following message: “The data for this interviewing session will not be saved.” BFOS will handle cleaning out the data for the case.

YOU HAVE SELECTED THE {STUDENT RU} CASE FOR {FULL NAME OF REFERENCE PERSON}. THE RU MEMBERS ARE LISTED BELOW.

IF YOU HAVE SELECTED THE WRONG CASE, PRESS ALT+F10 TO BREAKOFF AND RETURN TO THE IMS.

Programmer Instructions: If coded ‘1’ (YES), set FieldPeriod to current data model field period.

If coded ‘1’ (YES), and case is a restart after the RE section has been completed, continue with ST20. Otherwise, go to ST30.

This item displays RU-members-roster for display of RU-members. Display RU member's First, Middle, and Last names (Person[i].FullName).

For ‘{FULL NAME OF REFERENCE PERSON}’ display the full name of previous round reference person if standard RU or student RU. Display full name of oldest person in RU, if new RU.

IS {NAME OF RESPONDENT/PROXY SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION} STILL THE {RESPONDENT/PROXY} ?

{IF ‘YES’ SELECTED, ‘YOU’ WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR {NAME OF RESPONDENT SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION} THROUGHOUT INTERVIEW.}

Flag Respondent/Proxy from most recent interviewing session for this round as the respondent for the current interviewing session.

Set CARI recording status to the same status as the previous session with this respondent/proxy.

Display Instructions: For ‘NAME OF RESPONDENT/PROXY SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION’, display the name of the respondent or proxy associated with the most recent interviewing session for this round.

Display ‘RESPONDENT’ if the most recent interviewing session for this round listed an RU member in the RespID field. Otherwise, display ‘PROXY’.

Display ‘IF ‘YES’ SELECTED, ‘YOU’ WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR {NAME OF RESPONDENT SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION} THROUGHOUT INTERVIEW.’ if the most recent interviewing session for this round listed an RU member in the RespID field. Otherwise, use a null display.

SELECT THE RESPONDENT. RESPONDENT SHOULD BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND THE PERSON MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE RU’S HEALTH CARE.

Responses: {FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},1 1

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},2 2

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},3 3

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},4 4

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},N 5

Programmer Instructions: If person selected is a current RU member, go to ST70. This RU member should be set as the respondent (RespID) for this interview session.

If person selected is a DU member (but not part of this RU the previous round), continue with ST33. Do not mark the DU member as the respondent or most recent RU yet. That will be determined at ST33.

1. If a preloaded RU member under 18 or in age categories 1-4 is selected as the respondent, display message "RESPONDENT < 18. S/HE MUST BE APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR. RESELECT TO VERIFY."

2. If a preloaded RU member's age is Refused, Don't Know, or Missing and is selected as the respondent, display message: "VERIFY RESPONDENT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

3. If current round is the final round of the panel (RndType=Final) and if an RU member who was previously institutionalized is selected as the respondent, display message: "{PERSON} WAS INSTITUTIONALIZED IN THE PRIOR ROUND. CONFIRM {PERSON} LEFT INSTITUTION BEFORE 12/31/{YEAR}. IF{HE/SHE} LEFT THE INSTITUTION AFTER 12/31/{YEAR}, SELECT ANOTHER RESPONDENT OR SELECT PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR AND ADD THIS PERSON AS A PROXY.", where ‘YEAR’ is the calendar year of the final round of the panel (InterviewDate Year-1).

1. If ST20 is coded ‘2’ (NO) and same person selected as respondent as in previous interviewing session (e.g., that person’s name was displayed as respondent at ST20), display message: "IF SAME RESPONDENT AS PREVIOUS INTERVIEWING SESSION, BACK- UP TO ST20 (SameResp) AND CORRECT RESPONSE."

2. If case is a restart and the RE section has been completed, person selected as the respondent cannot have already been marked as having left the RU prior to the interview date (i.e., deceased, institutionalized, FT military outside US, FT military inside US, FT military alone, not FT military outside US, Student outside US, whereabouts unknown) (CtrlTrackSumm=1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13). If person selected as respondent, display the following message: “{PERSON}MARKED AS {DECEASED/NOT LIVING IN HOUSEHOLD ON INTERVIEW DATE}.

MAKE ANOTHER SELECTION.” Substitute RU member selected for {PERSON}. Display ‘DECEASED’ if person’s CtrlTrackSumm=1, otherwise display ‘NOT LIVING IN HOUSEHOLD ON INTERVIEW DATE’.

The first time the case is launched (no previous re-starts), the roster at ST30 displays the DU-Members-Roster for selection.

If RE520 does not have a response, use the same roster definition as above, prefilling the responses to ST with the answers given previously.

If RE520 is ‘2’ (NO) ‘RF’ (REFUSED) or ‘DK’ (DON’T KNOW) or RE530 has a response: display the current RU-members-roster as it stands (not the full DU roster). Roster filter: None, display all RU members, including any new persons who have been added to the RU during the earlier session(s).

RU members marked as having left the RU prior to the interview date (i.e., deceased, institutionalized, FT military outside US, FT military inside US, FT military alone, not FT military outside US, Student outside US, whereabouts unknown) (CtrlTrackSumm=1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13) should be displayed in grayed out text.

Display the current RU-members-roster as finalized in RE (e.g., all persons included in the Person array; no longer display the DU roster).

New Persons added during ST or during RE should also display (if they are part of the Person array for this RU).

With the exception of the following, any current RU member should be allowed to be selected as the respondent (not just a person added in ST).RU members marked as having left the RU prior to the interview date (i.e., deceased, institutionalized, FT military outside US, FT military inside US, FT military alone, not FT military outside US, Student outside US, whereabouts unknown) (CtrlTrackSumm=1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13) should be displayed in grayed out text.

Roster definition for Student RUs and NewStudent RUs (both before and after the RE_Wall):

The roster should display only the student who is part of this RU and the option for “PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.”

For “AGE”, display person's age calculated according to age calculation specifications in the GL section.

For “SEX”, display person's sex as collected during previous interview. For “RUID”, display the RUID associated with this person. If person is marked as PriorRndEnelig=Yes, the RUID will not display.

IS {PERSON} CURRENTLY LIVING AS PART OF {{NHIS REFERENCE PERSON}’S/ {REFERENCE PERSON}’S} HOUSEHOLD OR IS {PERSON} ACTING AS A PROXY RESPONDENT?

IF YOU SELECT OPTION 1, {PERSON} WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE ENTIRE INTERVEW AS AN RU MEMBER.

Responses: YES, DU MEMBER {NOW} PART OF RU-{LETTER} {PRIOR TO DEC 31} 1 ST70 (ST1040)

NO, DU MEMBER FROM RU-{PRELOAD LETTER} ACTING AS PROXY FOR RU-{LETTER} 2 ST40 (ST1025)

Do not allow a final response of code ‘3’ (NEITHER). If coded ‘3’, display the following message: “BACK-UP TO ST30 (AuxRespRoster) TO SELECT A DIFFERENT RESPONDENT.”

If coded ‘1’ (YES…), the DU member selected at ST30 should be added to current RU-members-roster and set as the respondent (RespID) for this interview session.

Display Instructions: For “PERSON”, display the DU member selected at ST30. Display “NOW” if current round is not the final round of the panel (RndType<>Final). Otherwise, use a null display. For “LETTER”, display the letter of the RU being interviewed.

Display “PRIOR TO DEC 31” if current round is the final round of the panel (RndType=Final). Otherwise, use a null display.

For “PRELOAD LETTER”, display the preloaded RU letter (PL_Person.MostRecentRU) associated with the person selected at ST30.

IS THE CURRENT RESPONDENT A PERSON WHO IS NOW PART OF {{NHIS REFERENCE PERSON}’S/ {REFERENCE PERSON}’S} HOUSEHOLD OR A PROXY APPROVED BY THE SUPERVISOR?

IF YOU SELECT OPTION 1, THE NEW RU MEMBER WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE ENTIRE INTERVEW AND SELECTED AS THE RESPONDENT.

If coded ‘1’ (RESPONDENT IS A NEW RU MEMBER) and current round is not the final round of the panel (RndType<>Final), go to ST50.

If coded ‘1’ (RESPONDENT IS A NEW RU MEMBER) and current round is the final round of the panel (RndType=Final), continue with ST37.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A ROUND {X} INTERVIEW. QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AS OF DEC 31, {YEAR} RATHER THAN ‘TODAY’.

PROBE TO ENSURE THAT THE RU MEMBER ACTING AS THE RESPONDENT MOVED IN WITH THE FAMILY BEFORE DECEMBER 31, {YEAR}.

Do not allow a final response of code ‘2’ (RESPONDENT DID NOT JOIN RU PRIOR TO DEC 31). If coded ‘2’, display the following message: “BACK-UP TO ST35 (AuxCurrentResp) AND SELECT PROXY OR BACK-UP TO ST30 (AuxRespRoster) TO SELECT A DIFFERENT RU MEMBER RESPONDENT.”

Display Instructions: For ‘YEAR’, display the calendar year of the final round of the panel (InterviewDate Year-1).

PRESS CTRL-A TO RECORD THE FIRST, MIDDLE, AND LAST NAME OF THE RESPONDENT WHO JOINED THE RU.

Responses: {FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},1 1

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},2 2

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},3 3

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},4 4

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of {RUID},N 5

Programmer Instructions: Continue with ST55 for person added and selected at ST50.

2. Limited edit and delete allowed. RU members that have been “preloaded” for this case (RU members that are from the NHIS or added to RU during interround processing (PersAddedBetweenRnds=YES) or added the previous round) cannot be edited or deleted at any person roster. Only newly added RU members that have been added at this screen during the current interviewing session can be edited or deleted (except as described below when add, edit, and delete are disallowed and not shown). FIs may back-up and return to this screen to use edit or delete functionality, but may not edit or delete an RU member added at this screen at any other person roster.

1. Do not allow any preloaded RU or DU member be selected. If a preloaded RU or DU member is selected, display message: “TO SELECT {PERSON} AS RESPONDENT, BACK-UP TO ST30 (RespRoster).”

2. If a person was added during this interviewing session [CREATEQ=ST50 and OrigRnd=Current Round and DeleteFlg=empty], but was not selected at ST50 when interviewer leaves the screen, display the following message: “YOU HAVE JUST ADDED {PERSON}, BUT DID NOT SELECT (HIM/HER) AS THE RESPONDENT. IF NEWLY ADDED PERSON IS NOT THE RESPONDENT, USE CTRL-D TO DELETE THAT PERSON AND THEN SELECT/ADD THE CORRECT RESPONDENT. NEW RU MEMBERS CAN BE ADDED AT RE520.” This message should NOT display after passing RE520 (for an RU member added in an earlier session) or the RE Wall when you are in a NEW interview session. After passing RE520 (and it's a new interview session), the display at RE30 should display any newly added RU members including those added in ST or RE. Once RE520 has a response, ST50 should never be on route.

Display Instructions: Roster 3 – add/edit/delete allowed Roster definition:

The first time the case is launched (no previous re-starts), the roster at ST50 is displays the DU-Members-Roster for selection. Roster filter: None, display all DU members. However, this same definition is used when ST50 is on path (which is only until RE520 has a response). After RE520 has a response, ST50 is no longer on path.

For “AGE”, display person's age calculated according to age calculation specifications in the GL section.

When CTRL-A selected, display the following customized question wording in the pop-up at ST50:

VERIFY RESPONDENT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. IF LESS THAN 18, S/HE MUST BE APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.

Display “ENTER NAME OF RU MEMBER RESPONDENT” and “May I have your full name? VERIFY SPELLING.” in lighter "grayed-out" text when cursor in middle name or last name entry field. Display “IF NO MIDDLE NAME OR INITIAL, LEAVE FIELD BLANK.” when cursor in middle name entry field.

Display "VERIFY RESPONDENT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. IF LESS THAN 18, S/HE MUST BE APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR." in red when on any entry field in the pop-up.

Do not allow a final response of code ‘2’ ({PERSON} IS NOT HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENT). If coded ‘2’, display the following message: “BACK-UP AND REVIEW RESPONSES. IF {PERSON} IS ACTING AS A PROXY, DELETE PERSON AT ST50 (AddNewRespRoster), AND CHANGE RESPONSE AT ST35 (CurrentResp). IF PERSON IS A NEW RU MEMBER BUT NOT THE RESPONDENT, DELETE PERSON AT ST50 (AddNewRespRoster), AND THEN SELECT CORRECT RESPONDENT AT ST30 (RespRoster). NEW RU MEMBERS CAN BE ADDED AT RE520.”

If coded ‘1’ ({PERSON} IS HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENT), add person to RU-members- roster. This RU member should be set as the respondent (RespID) for this interview session.

3. Limited edit and delete allowed. Proxies that have been “preloaded” for this case (proxies that are from the previous round) cannot be edited or deleted. Newly added proxies during the current interviewing session may only be edited or deleted at ST60. FIs may back up and return to this screen to use edit or delete functionality.

4. Set a three-byte proxy identifier (P01, P02, etc.) for the person added/selected as a proxy.

If ST20 is coded ‘2’ (NO) and same proxy is selected as in previous interviewing session (e.g., that person’s name was displayed as proxy at ST20), display message: “IF SAME PROXY AS PREVIOUS INTERVIEWING SESSION, BACK-UP TO ST20 (SameResp) AND CORRECT RESPONSE.”

NOTE: The DU roster is only displayed when adding RU member respondents. A DU member can be added as a new proxy respondent, but it will be without a link to the DU-Members-Roster.

Display Instructions: Display “OR ADD {PERSON} AS” if ST33 is coded ‘2’ (NO, DU MEMBER FROM RU-{PRELOAD LETTER} ACTING AS PROXY FOR RU-{LETTER}). Otherwise, use a null display.

When CTRL-A selected, display the following customized question wording in the pop-up:

Display “ENTER NAME OF PROXY RESPONDENT” and “May I have your full name? VERIFY SPELLING.” in lighter "grayed-out" text when cursor in middle name or last name entry field. Display “IF NO MIDDLE NAME OR INITIAL, LEAVE FIELD BLANK.” when cursor in middle name entry field.

Some of this interview will be recorded for quality control purposes. I'd like to continue now, unless you have any questions.

IF THE RESPONDENT HAS QUESTIONS, PLEASE PRESS F1 TO REFER TO THE FAQS IN THE HELP SCREEN.

Programmer Instructions: If ‘CONTINUE WITH RECORDING’, set CARI recording status to ON for the respondent/proxy selected for this interviewing session.

If ‘CONTINUE, RECODING REFUSED’, set CARI recording status to OFF for the respondent/proxy selected for this interviewing session.

Route Details: If case is a restart after the RE section has been completed, continue with ST80.

Otherwise, go to BOX_30.

CAPI WILL NOW TAKE YOU TO THE QUESTION YOU LEFT OFF AT DURING THE LAST INTERVIEWING SESSION.

Route Details: If interview is a restart after the RE section, go to the field in CAPI interview where most recent break-off occurred.

2. If interview is a restart during the RE section (e.g., RE is not yet completed) and RU is a Student RU go to the field in the RE section where most recent break-off occurred.

3. If interview is a restart during the RE section (e.g., RE is not yet completed) and RU is a New RU or a Standard RU, go to:

If single person RU, go to the first unanswered question in the RE section.

If preloaded number of RU members, excluding persons who were institutionalized at the time of the last interview (InstAtTimeOfPrevint=Yes) is >1, and break-off occurred prior to the completion of LOOP_20 (if LOOP_20 was on route), go to RE310. Otherwise, go to the field in the RE section where most recent break-off occurred. If any answers now fail the Blaise “rules” (e.g., because you’ve now selected a respondent that you previously said left the RU), go to the first place where the rules failed.

Otherwise, go to RE-A.

Programmer Instructions: CAPI sets a value to determine who the respondent is for the current interview session and whether that person is an RU member or proxy. Those fields are ST.Respondent and RespondentPersID.

RespondentPersID should be set to the RespID for the most current interview session.