2021 Help Text


#FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY

REA1375 LeftRUFTADuty

FULL-TIME ACTIVE DUTY (WITH THE ARMED FORCES) –

This includes:


#ACTUAL HOURS WORKED PER WEEK

EMA2765 HoursWeekA

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.


#DEFINITION OF “ADVICE TO YOU (ABOUT HELMETS)”

CS1430 AdvHelmet

“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.


#DEFINITION OF “ADVICE TO YOU”

CS1365 AdvHlthFood

“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.


#Questionnaire Help

RF1050 AFInfo

Step by step instructions for filing out Authorization Forms can be found in your Interview Quick Reference Guide.

For MPC authorization forms, prepare one Authorization Form for each person-provider pair displayed by CAPI. For Pharmacy authorization forms, prepare one Authorization Form for each person-pharmacy pair displayed by CAPI. If no preprinted form is available, use a blank AF from your bulk supplies. Make sure you are using a MPC Form for person-provider pairs and a Pharmacy Form for person-pharmacy pairs.

Note: For Health Care Institutions (HCI), use a MPC Authorization Form and print ‘HCI’ on the top left corner of the form.

SIGNATURE RULES –

If patient is: Then form should be signed by:
a. Age 18 or older Only patient for Items 4 and 5, unless one of d-f applies
b. Age 14 through 17 Patient and Parent or Guardian (Items 4-9)
c. Age 13 or younger Parent (Items 6-9)
d. Unable to sign but able to make mark Patient and Witness (Items 6-9)
e. Deceased Proxy (Items 6-9)
f. Unable to sign name or make mark Proxy (Items 6-9)

LEAVING AFs WITH RESPONDENTS –

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 appropriate 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, leave an Authorization Form Booklet, the forms, a storage envelope and a postage-paid envelope.


#Questionnaire Help

RF1055 AFStat

SIGNED –

With this code, you are required to enter the date on which the authorization form was signed and the MPC or 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 completed authorization form to that person. No additional information is required in CAPI with this code.

REFUSED (NO FORM LEFT) –

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

If you leave the form behind because you believe the person may reconsider signing, use the status “LEFT WITH RESPONDENT” instead. Use this code only when the person or respondent has refused and will not allow you to leave the authorization form there.

OTHER (NOT SIGNED)–

Use this code if none of the above authorization form status codes apply and the form has not been signed. Specify the reason for using this code. Leave the Authorization Form Booklet and prepared authorization form with the RU member or respondent.


#ALIMONY

IN1180 AmtAlim

ALIMONY –

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


#Questionnaire Help

IN1190 AmtBusn

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.


#DIVIDENDS

IN1155 AmtDivd

DIVIDENDS –

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


#CURRENTLY OWED

AS1035 AmtHomeOwe

CURRENTLY 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 or loan.


#AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR INTEREST FROM SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, BONDS, NOW ACCOUNTS, MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS, OR SIMILAR TYPES OF INVESTMENTS)

IN1145 AmtInt

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.


#AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR PRIVATE PENSIONS, MILITARY RETIREMENT, OTHER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE PENSIONS, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONS OR ANNUITIES)

IN1260 AmtPension

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.


#Questionnaire Help

IN1250 AmtRetir

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 NET GAIN/LOSS FROM SALE OF PROPERTY OR OTHER ASSETS)

IN1225 AmtSale

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.


#Questionnaire Help

IN1275 AmtTrust

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

IN1300 AmtUnemp

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.


#OUT-OF-POCKET AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE

CP1130 EvpvAmtUPay

OUT-OF-POCKET 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.


#AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR WAGES OR SALARY, TIPS, COMMISSIONS, OR BONUSES)

IN1125 AmtWage

AMOUNTS TO INCLUDE (FOR WAGES OR SALARY, TIPS, COMMISSIONS, OR BONUSES) –

This includes all income from wages, salary, commissions, and bonuses and is shown on the tax filer’s W-2 form. Tips, scholarships, fellowship grants, and dependent care benefits should also be included.


#ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLE

HX1785 AnnDeductAmt

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.


#SOURCE

CP1160 EvpvAnySrcPay

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/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.

This includes payments the person or family assumes the source has sent in to the provider/place for the care or services received.


#Questionnaire Help

PE1185 ArthritisTp

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 ATTACK

PE1215 AsthmaAttack

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1135 StuFullTime

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.


#INCORPORATED

EMA2695 BusnIncorp

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.


#CONDITION/DISABILITY

HX1105 CareDisab

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.


#MEDICARE MANAGED CARE

HX1510 CareMAMC

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.


#Questionnaire Help

IN1535 Cash

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.


#CHAMPVA/TRICARE

HX1165 AnyMilitCovg

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 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.

VA (VETERANS ADMINISTRATION) –

This program provides health care to veterans of the Armed Forces (particularly those with service-connected disabilities).


#CHOICE OF HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

EMA2865 ChoicePlans

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.


#CHILD SUPPORT

IN1460 ChSuprt

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.


#COBRA INSURANCE

HP1145 COBRAPlan

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.


#Questionnaire Help

DN1001 CodeAllDNProvTp

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.

PEDIATRIC DENTIST –

A general dentist who specializes in treating children.

DENTAL SPECIALIST–

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.

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.


#Questionnaire Help

HH1020 CodeAllHcarWrkrOth

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.

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.

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.

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.


#Questionnaire Help

HX1680 CodeAllHICovg

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.


#CONDITION

HS1020 IPCondRoster

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.

Surgical procedures or operations are not considered conditions. A respondent may report an operation as a condition. You will need to probe the respondent and record the condition that led to the surgical procedure or operation.

While our goal is to enter the exact medical name on the Conditions Roster, sometimes, even after probing, our respondent is unable to give us anything more than a symptom or symptoms. For example, the respondent could say “I went to the doctor last month because I was having stomach pains. He did some tests and didn’t find anything but my stomach still hurt. I waited and finally it went away on its own.” In this case, a clear diagnosis was never established and you should record the symptoms (in this case, stomach pains) as the condition name.

For specific probes to use with respondents, refer to the Job Aid “Probes for Conditions” in the Interview Quick Reference Guide.


#TELEHEALTH (TH) –

AH1075 CondInj

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.

Please use care when coding that a condition is due to an accident or injury. A condition, such as “broken eardrum” may be due to an accident/injury or may be due to some other cause, such as childhood disease.

Exposure to heavy lifting, loud noise, and other similar hazards are considered accidents/injuries only when they are one-time occurrences. For example, a punctured eardrum resulting from a loud explosion would be considered an accident/injury, but continued exposure to loud noises at work resulting in partial deafness would not be considered an accident/injury. For the latter case, code no. Follow the same procedure if the cause is continued strain from continuous heavy lifting, etc.

Code this question as yes only if the respondent is sure that the condition resulted from an accident or injury. If after probing, your respondent is still unsure, assume that it is not due to an accident or injury and code no.


#Questionnaire Help

HP1165 CovdDepend

DEPENDENT –

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


#COPAYMENT

CP1055 CPaySameLRnd

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

CP1065 CPayIntro

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1250 CurrInstd

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 by trained medical personnel, regardless of age. These patients receive ongoing treatment for chronic diseases or disabilities, and require preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive services over long periods of time. Do not include community-based facilities, including community-based hospitals, as institutionalized.

24-HOUR SKILLED NURSING CARE –

Skilled nursing care involves licensed professionals performing services either for short-term needs such as rehabilitation, or for long-term care for serious illnesses or conditions. In addition to 24-hour skilled medical care for both acute and chronic conditions due to an injury or illness, patients receive additional help for daily activities of living.


#PROBES FOR A VISIT ON A SINGLE DATE

EV1045 OthEvntDatePicker

PROBES FOR A VISIT ON A SINGLE DATE

STEP 1:

SHOW RESPONDENT HARDCOPY CALENDAR.

PROBE: To keep working correctly, the laptop needs a date for the health care event. I’m going to ask a few questions to help us come up with a date that is close to the date of the visit, without worrying too much about getting the exact date. What month did you visit (PROVIDER)?

STEP 2:

ADDITIONAL PROBES TO NARROW DOWN VISIT DATE:

PROBE: Did you visit (PROVIDER) at the beginning, middle, or end of the month?

PROBE: Which week in the month did you visit (PROVIDER)?

PROBE:?Did you visit (PROVIDER) on the weekday or weekend?

PROBE: Did you visit (PROVIDER) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?

STEP 3:

IF RESPONDENT CANNOT OR WILL NOT PICK AN EXACT DATE, SELECT A DATE THAT IS CLOSEST TO WHEN THEY THINK THE PERSON VISITED THE PROVIDER.?

PROBES FOR AN EVENT THAT IS RECURRING

STEP 1:

PROBE: Did you visit (PROVIDER) on a regular basis? For example once a day, every other week or once a month.

STEP 2:

IF THE RESPONDENT’S VISITS DON’T FOLLOW A PERFECT PATTERN, RECORD THE BEST DAY(S) OF THE WEEK FOR RECURRING VISITS THEN ADJUST.


#TYPES OF DENTAL PROCEDURES

DN1005 CodeAllDNSvc

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, POLISHING, PERIODONTAL RECALL VISIT –

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. Periodontal recall visit refers to periodontal treatment that occurs on a periodic or regular basis.

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, INLAYS, CROWNS OR CAPS

A filling is 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.

An inlay 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.

A crown or cap is 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 PLANING, OR GUM SURGERY –

Procedures or surgeries that treat diseases in the bone, connective tissue, and gums surrounding and supporting the teeth.

EXTRACTION, TOOTH PULLED OR OTHER ORAL SURGERY –

Extraction or having a tooth pulled refers to removal of a tooth; includes both adult and baby teeth. Other oral surgery includes surgical procedures on the jaw.

IMPLANTS –

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

FIXED BRIDGES, DENTURES OR REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES, RELINING OR REPAIR OF BRIDGES OR DENTURES –

A fixed bridge refers to fixed replacement for one or several natural teeth, attached at each end to a natural tooth. Dentures or removable partial dentures refer to 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.


#ASTHMA

PE1210 AsthmaStill

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.


#Questionnaire Help

PE1299 DxChronBronch

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).


#DIABETES

PE1080 DxDiabetes

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.


#EMPHYSEMA

PE1060 DxEmphysema

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).


#HYPERTENSION

PE1030 DxHypertension

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

PE1050 DxOthHeartCond

OTHER TYPES OF HEART CONDITIONS TO INCLUDE –

If ‘coronary heart disease’, ‘angina’, ‘heart attack’, or ‘myocardial infarction’ are mentioned, back up to PE30B, PE30C, or PE30D, 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

PE1055 DxStroke

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.


#EARNINGS BY TIPS/BONUSES/COMMISSIONS

EW1155 EarnTips

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REB1535 EduLevel

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.


#CARE RECEIVED DURING ER VISIT

ER1010 ERVstCat

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 –

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.

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.

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).


#Questionnaire Help

ED1035 EvntDate

STEP 1:

SHOW RESPONDENT HARDCOPY CALENDAR.

PROBE: To keep working correctly, the laptop needs a date for the health care event. I’m going to ask a few questions to help us come up with a date that is close to the date of the visit, without worrying too much about getting the exact date. What month did you visit (PROVIDER)?

STEP 2:

ADDITIONAL PROBES TO NARROW DOWN VISIT DATE:

PROBE: Did you visit (PROVIDER) at the beginning, middle, or end of the month?

PROBE: Which week in the month did you visit (PROVIDER)?

PROBE: Did you visit (PROVIDER) on the weekday or weekend?

PROBE: Did you visit (PROVIDER) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?

STEP 3:

IF RESPONDENT CANNOT OR WILL NOT PICK AN EXACT DATE, SELECT A DATE THAT IS CLOSEST TO WHEN THEY THINK THE PERSON VISITED THE PROVIDER.


#Questionnaire Help

EV1020 EvntTp

For specific probes to use with respondents, refer to the “Probes to Determine Event Type” job aid in the Interview Quick Reference Guide.

HOSPITAL STAY (HS) –

MEPS defines a hospital stay as a visit to a hospital where a person is admitted to the hospital and stayed at least one night. If a baby is born in a hospital, two events should be created; a hospital stay for the mother and a hospital stay for the child. If a respondent indicates that a person was admitted to the hospital, but was discharged without staying overnight, code the visit as a Hospital Outpatient Department Visit (OP).

HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT (ER) –

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

EMERGENCY ROOM –

A medical department that is open 24 hours a day where no appointment is necessary in order to receive care. The emergency room may be located at a hospital. It may also be at a different location than a hospital if the facility is identified as an emergency room and it is owned by or affiliated with a hospital. 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 OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT VISIT (OP) –

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 Office or Clinic’ visit. Include visits made to outpatient departments for medical tests only.

Some doctors or other types of providers may rent office space at a hospital. If the person reports that the visit occurred at a hospital, but not at an emergency room or outpatient department, probe to determine if it was at a provider’s office. If this is the case, code the event type as ‘Medical Provider Office or Clinic’ visit.

Examples of outpatient departments include:

DENTAL OFFICE VISIT (DN) –

Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a dental care provider for the purpose of dental care. A tooth or mouth problem tended to by a medical doctor is not a Dental Office event. If a dental care provider was seen, the event type is Dental Office. If not, code the event type as a ‘Medical Provider Office or Clinic’ visit.

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.

MEDICAL PROVIDER OFFICE OR CLINIC (MV) –

Any visit made during the person’s reference period to a specific setting of care where a medical provider was seen. Examples of medical providers include doctors, nurses, or any other medical person or place that delivers medical or health related care. 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.

Many types of events can be classified as Medical Provider visits. The following is a list of some different types of health related events that should be classified as a ‘Medical Provider Office or Clinic’ visit.

TELEHEALTH (TH) –

Telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine, is a health care provider’s use of telecommunications to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of a patient’s medical condition.

This involves real-time communication with a provider, via phone, video, or various web or mobile based applications that support telehealth communications. Even though telehealth is usually received at home, telehealth visits should not be recorded as Home Health visits unless the care received is from a Home Health provider.

CARE RECEIVED AT HOME (HH) –

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.

RESIDENTIAL OR LONG TERM CARE FACILITY EVENT (IC) –

When an RU member is admitted to one of the following types of health care facilities (which are not a hospital or a permanent residence) for at least one night:

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 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 ‘Care Received at Home’.

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.

If there is any question about whether the person received care at an institution or a hospital, always code the care as having been received during a ‘Hospital Stay’.

GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES – (CODE NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE)

The actual purchase of glasses or contacts during the reference period. Eye exams should be classified as a Medical Provider visit.

OTHER MEDICAL EXPENSES – (CODE NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE)

Includes the use of ambulance services or any purchase made during the reference period of disposable supplies or long term medical equipment.

Examples of disposable supplies: ostomy supplies, bandages, adult diapers, catheters, syringes not prescribed by physician, IV supplies.

Examples of long term medical equipment: Orthopedic items (e.g., walkers, wheelchairs, braces), Medical equipment (e.g., hospital beds, lifts, monitors, oxygen, vaporizer or nebulizer), modifications (e.g., ramps, handrails, automobile modifications), hearing devices (e.g., hearing aids, amplifiers, adaptive speech equipment).


#DEFINITION OF WHAT MAKES UP TOTAL CHARGE AND FLAT FEE

CP1105 EvpvKnowTotal

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 such as x-rays, lab tests, or diagnostic 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, do not include those charges in the total charge for the visit.

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.


#DEFINITIONS OF SET AMOUNT AND COPAYMENT

CP1125 EvpvSetAmt

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.


#MODERATE OR VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

AH1125 Exer5Days

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.


#Questionnaire Help

IN1040 FileStatus

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:

Reports taxable income of one tax filer.

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:


#SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

IN1575 FoodStmp

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.


#FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ST1040 ForQC

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS –

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.


#Questionnaire Help

HX1325 CodeAllGovtCovg

MEDICARE –

A Federal health insurance program for people 65 or older and for certain persons under 65 with long-term disabilities.

MEDICAID/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.

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 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.

VA (VETERANS ADMINISTRATION) –

This program provides health care to veterans of the Armed Forces (particularly those with service-connected disabilities).

OTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS –

Any health insurance that is fully or partially paid for by state funds (state sponsored) which provides hospital and physician benefits.


#LEGAL GUARDIAN

REB1085 Guardian

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.


#HALF DAY OR MORE

AH1025 MissWork

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.


#Questionnaire Help

HH1015 CodeAllHcarWrkrProf

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) –

Persons who provide general nursing care to patients at home. These persons 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.

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.

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.).

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.

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.


#HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD

REA1465 NewRefPersPIDAdded

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.


#AIDS OR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

HE1100 HelpAids

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:

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.


#IMPAIRMENT

HE1110 HelpWalkClimb

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REB1545 HghestEduLevel

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REB1540 HghSchDiploma

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.


#Questionnaire Help

EV1050 HHEvntTp

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:

  1. Friend/neighbor was not paid.

  2. Friend/neighbor is not part of the RU or DU.

  3. Friend/neighbor is not related to the RU member receiving the care.

  4. Friend/neighbor is not providing the care because of an affiliation with a volunteer group.

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:

  1. Relative can be either paid or not-paid.

  2. Relative is not part of the RU or DU.

  3. Relative is related to the RU member receiving the care.

  4. Relative is not providing the care because of an affiliation with a volunteer group.

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:

  1. Volunteer was not paid.

  2. Volunteer is not part of the RU or DU.

  3. Volunteer is not related to the RU member receiving the care.

  4. Volunteer has an affiliation with a volunteer group that provides home care services to the RU member.

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.

VOLUNTEER: MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE –

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


#Questionnaire Help

HH1030 HHProfTpOth

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.

HOMEMAKER/HOUSE CLEANER –

A homemaker is a person who advises or helps the RU member in dealing with problems, such as nutrition, cleanliness, and household utilities because of his or her health problem. A house cleaner is a person who provides cleaning services for the RU member because of his or her health problem.

HOME HEALTH AIDE/HOME CARE 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.

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 person perform activities of daily living including: bathing, dressing, meal preparation, feeding, paying bills, and transportation.


#Questionnaire Help

HP1037 HIPurchCat

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.

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.

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.


#HEALTH INSURANCE

RJ1110 OffrdHINowTake

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.


#HMO (HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION

HX1605 GovHMO

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.


#Questionnaire Help

AS1030 HomeOwe

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.


#DEFINITION OF VALUE (FOR 'THIS HOME')

AS1020 HomeValue

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.


#HONORABLY DISCHARGED

HONORABLY DISCHARGED –

This question asks whether the eligible RU member(s) listed (has/have) ever been honorably discharged from active duty in the U.S. military. This does not include part-time service in the Reserves, unless the person’s Reserve unit was called up to full-time active duty.


#PAID BY DAY/PIECEWORK/COMMISSION/BONUS/MILE

EW1010 HowPaid

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/WEEK ON WHICH SALARY BASED

EW1110 HrsSalaryBased

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.


#HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs)

HX1790 PlanHasHSA

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. A Flexible Spending Account can only be opened when offered by your employer, and you do not need to have a high-deductible health insurance plan or any type of health insurance plan.

HRA plans are differ from HSAs only in that plans must be solely funded by the employer and cannot be funded by employee salary reduction. HRA’s are most commonly offered in conjunction with a High Deductible Health Plan.

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


#PROBES FOR AN EVENT LASTING A RANGE OF DATES (HS/IC)

EV1040 HSICDatePicker

PROBES FOR AN EVENT LASTING A RANGE OF DATES (HS/IC)

STEP 1:

SHOW RESPONDENT HARDCOPY CALENDAR.

PROBE: We have to determine a date that you think is as close as possible to when you were admitted to (PROVIDER). What month did you visit (PROVIDER)?

STEP 2:

IF RESPONDENT CANNOT PROVIDE ADMIT DATE PROBE FOR DISCHARGE DATE

STEP 3:

ADDITIONAL PROBES TO NARROW DOWN VISIT DATE:

PROBE: Were you admitted to (discharged from) (PROVIDER) on the weekday or weekend?

PROBE: Were you admitted to (discharged from) (PROVIDER) at the beginning, middle, or end of the month?

PROBE: In which week of the month were you admitted to (discharged from) (PROVIDER)?

PROBE: Were you admitted to (discharged from) (PROVIDER) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?

STEP 4:

IF RESPONDENT CANNOT OR WILL NOT PICK AN EXACT DATE, SELECT A DATE THAT IS CLOSEST TO WHEN THEY THINK THE PERSON WAS ADMITTED TO OR DISCHARGED FROM THE PROVIDER

STEP 5:

NUMBER OF NIGHTS PROBE: How many nights did you stay in (PROVIDER)?

FILL IN DISCHARGE OR ADMIT DATE BASED ON NUMBER OF NIGHTS.

VERIFICATION: So, you were admitted on (date1) and discharged on (date2) and you stayed about (number of nights) in (PROVIDER). Does that sound about right? ??


#Questionnaire Help

IC1010 ICPlaceTP

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 OR ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER –

A residential facility that provides diagnostic and treatment services to patients with drug and/or alcohol addiction disorders and/or other addiction disorders (i.e., gambling, sexual).

RESIDENTIAL 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.

RESIDENTIAL 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.


#ICU

HS1035 ICU

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:


#IMPAIRMENT

HE1015 HelpPhone

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:


#Questionnaire Help

REA1305 InOthHhMilitFac

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.


#HH MEMBERSHIP RULES

REA1335 InRUStat

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.


#INSURANCE COMPANY/HMO

HX1695 MedigapName

INSURANCE COMPANY –

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

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.


#TYPE OF INSTITUTION

REA1400 InstPrvd24HrCare

24-HOUR SKILLED NURSING CARE –

Skilled nursing care involves licensed professionals performing services either for short-term needs such as rehabilitation, or for long-term care for serious illnesses or conditions. In addition to 24-hour skilled medical care for both acute and chronic conditions due to an injury or illness, patients receive additional help for daily activities of living. ?


#INSURANCE TYPES TO INCLUDE

HX1235 AnyGovProg

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.


#JOB FOR PAY/BUSINESS

EMA2190 EverWorked

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.

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.

#Questionnaire Help

EMA1185 JobBRoster

If a person is working for a Temporary Employment Agency, you should record the name of the Temporary Employment Agency and not the company where he or she has been assigned. If the respondent does not want to supply the establishment name, record some type of description that will identify the job for you and the respondent. Do not record refused as the establishment name since you will be using the name for reference throughout the section.


#TYPES OF EMPLOYEES

EMA2705 JobsEmpTp

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.


#FILING JOINTLY

IN1045 JointFiler

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.


#Questionnaire Help

EMA2730 LeftJobResn

JOB ENDED, TEMPORARY, SEASONAL, CONTRACT, ETC. –

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 CLOSED OR SOLD –

Voluntary or involuntary cessation of operations by the owners of the business.

ILLNESS, INJURY, HEALTH PROBLEM –

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.

TERMINATED, FIRED, DISMISSED –

Employer ends job against the will of the employee. This can be due to issues with the employee’s performance but it also may be due to factors outside the employee’s control, such as company restructuring or the elimination of a position.

LAID OFF, LET GO –

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 – FAMILY REASON, MATERNITY LEAVE–

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. Maternity leave allows a pregnant RU member voluntarily terminates employment due to the birth of her child or quits to take care of an adopted child.

QUIT – 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 – JOB RELATED REASON –

RU member voluntary leaves employer directly due to job related conditions. Examples may include a difficult work environment, inconsistency or dissatisfaction with scheduling or hours, change in position expectations or responsibilities, or relocation. This incudes quitting due to taking another job.

QUIT – ANY OTHER REASON –

RU member voluntary leaves employer for any other reason. This may include wanting time off from working or time off to pursue other interests such as volunteering or personal hobbies.


#LIVING WITHIN/OUTSIDE U.S. DEFINITION

REA1370 PersInOutUSSchl

WITHIN U.S. –

This includes all the states in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and the District of Columbia. It does not include the U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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.


#LIMITED IN PARTICIPATING

HE1215 LmtSocial

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).

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.


#LIMITED ABILITY

HE1180 LmtWork

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).

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.


#LEAVE HEALTH CARE FACILITY DEFINITION

REA1265 LeftInstMMFam

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.


#Questionnaire Help

RJ1045 MainJob

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 s/he 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.

#Questionnaire Help

REA1185 MaritalStatRnd

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).

WIDOWED –

Spouse is deceased.

DIVORCED –

Legal cancellation of marriage.

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 –

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.


#LIVING TOGETHER MARRIED/PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS

REA1480 AddPersNotNew

To be a member of the RU the person must be related to the reference person. Related includes blood, marriage, adoption, or linked by a marriage-like relationship.

LIVING TOGETHER AS MARRIED/PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS –

Respondents are asked to choose a marital status category that represents the legal status of each RU member age 16 or older and those whose age is unknown. Code separated or divorced only if the RU member is not living with the spouse for reasons of marital discord. If the husband and wife are separated for purposes of their employment, code them as married. Often respondents will report an RU member as single – yet this does not describe the RU member’s legal status. A person reported as single could be separated, divorced, widowed, or never married. Remember to probe such responses to obtain the legal status.

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.


#MEDICAL DOCTOR

OP1010 OPSeeDoc

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:


#MEDICARE

HX1060 AnyCareR25

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.


#MEDICAID/SCHIP

HX1130 AnyCaid

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 (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) 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.


#PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE

HS1055 IPPmed

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 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 SERVICES

ER1025 CodeAllERSvc

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.

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, ECG, OR EEG –

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

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.


#METAL PLANS

PR1360 GovProgMetalPlan

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.


#MORE THAN ONE LOCATION

EMA2690 MoreLoctn

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.


#Questionnaire Help

OP1020 OPMPTp

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).

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.

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

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.

MASSAGE THERAPIST –

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

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR/MARRIAGE OR FAMILY THERAPIST –

A mental health counselor is a person trained to diagnose and treat emotional or mental health problems, including, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, etc.

Marriage or family therapists are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.

MIDWIFE –

A female who practices the art of aiding in the delivery of babies.

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.

PHYSICAL/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST –

A physical therapist is a 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.

An occupational therapist is a medical person who is 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.

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.

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.

PSYCHOLOGIST –

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

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.

TECHNICIAN –

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


#Questionnaire Help

EMA2745 NoBusnResn

BUSINESS CLOSED OR 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 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.


#AMBULANCE SERVICES

OM1035 Ambulance

AMBULANCE SERVICES –

Any 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.


#Questionnaire Help

HX1275 CodeAllOthHI

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.

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.

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.

ANYONE’S PREVIOUS EMPLOYER –

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.

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.

OTHER SOURCE –

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


#Questionnaire Help

IN1595 OthInco

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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

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.


#OWNS/RENTS HOME

REA1450 OwnRentHome

OWNS/RENTS HOME –

A person owns the home even if their name is on the deed, even if there is any type of mortgage on the property, such as a conventional, reverse, or underwater 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.


#MEDICARE PART D

PR1070 MAMCPartD

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1290 PersLoctnNow

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A HEALTH CARE FACILITY –

A person is considered institutionalized in a health care facility if s/he is living in a health care facility that provides 24-hour continuous skilled nursing and personal care by trained medical personnel, regardless of age. These patients receive ongoing treatment for chronic diseases or disabilities, and require preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive services over long periods of time.

24-HOUR SKILLED NURSING CARE –

Skilled nursing care involves licensed professionals performing services either for short-term needs such as rehabilitation, or for long term care for serious illnesses or conditions. In addition to 24-hour skilled medical care for both acute and chronic conditions due to an injury or illness, patients receive additional help for daily activities of living.

Do not include community-based facilities, including community-based hospitals, as institutionalized. Refer to the Community Based Living vs. Institutionalized Job Aid in the Interview Quick Reference Guide for more information.

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. Include only persons who are on full-time active duty in the military in this category.

Persons who are considered to be on full-time active duty in the armed forces includes:


#Questionnaire Help

REA1260 PersWithFamNow

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.


#Questionnaire Help

PM1290 PharmRoster

If your respondent reports that they filled a prescription outside of the United States, (for example; Canada or Mexico), select ‘PROVIDER NOT FOUND’ on the provider look-up screen. Then record any information they are able to provide in the pharmacy name and address fields. When you reach the state look-up please select ‘Foreign Country’.


#Questionnaire Help

PM1390 PharmTp

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 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 –

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.


#Questionnaire Help

AC1060 PlaceType

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 that is open 24 hours a day where no appointment is necessary in order to receive care. The emergency room may be located at a hospital. It may also be at a different location than a hospital if the facility is identified as an emergency room and it is owned by or affiliated with a hospital. 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.


#Questionnaire Help

HP1125 PlcyhldrEmpStat

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.

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.

DECEASED –

The person is no longer living.


#POLICYHOLDER

HP1080 Plcyhldr

POLICYHOLDER –

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


#HEALTH INSURANCE OR ANOTHER SOURCE OF COVERAGE

PM1400 PMed3Part

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.


#Questionnaire Help

PM1100 NewMeds

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 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.


#Questionnaire Help

PM1040 PmedDiab

INSULIN –

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

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 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.


#DEFINITIONS FOR PREMIUM/COPAYMENT/COINSURANCE/DEDUCTIBLE

HX1525 CarePayPrem

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.


#PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR/ROUTINE CARE

HX1610 GovPrimaryMD

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.


#SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP/PARTNERSHIP

EMA2700 ProprietPartner

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.


#Questionnaire Help

AC1080 ProvOthType

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 –

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.

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.

MIDWIFE –

A female who practices the art of aiding in the delivery of babies.

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.


#PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

IN1410 PubAssist

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE –

Public assistance payments include assistance payments made to low-income persons, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and general assistance.


#ANYTHING IN WRITING

CP1080 EvpvRcvBill

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.


#SOCIAL SECURITY

HX1110 RcvSocSec

SOCIAL SECURITY –

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

#OTHER RELATED (NO SPECIFY)

REB1027 RelCode

OTHER RELATED (NO SPECIFY) –

If none of the relationships listed apply, you can select “Other related (No Specify)”. This code should also be used for extended relationships when a partner relationship exists within the RU. For example, when a partnership relationship exists in the RU, the code “Other Related (no specify)” can be used to reflect what the relationship would be if the partners were actually married. When in doubt, it is better to code “Other Related, (No Specify)” and include the person in the interview than to code “Not Related” for someone who should be included in the interview.

The code “Other Related, (No Specify)” would also be used if a legal guardian and an unrelated ward reside in the same household. If the guardian and ward are related by blood, marriage or adoption, code their actual relationships to each other.

The code “Not Related” should only be used if you realize you have mistakenly added someone to the RU who is definitely unrelated (i.e., friend, roommate, etc.). CAPI will then remove that person from the RU and they will not be included in the current interview.


#REMISSION

PE1175 Remission

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.


#Questionnaire Help

HS1025 ResnHosp

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, 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).

TO BE BORN (BABY) –

This category is for the newborn baby’s hospital stay.

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’.


#RESPONDENT RULES

ST1035 ProxyRoster

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–

A proxy respondent is someone who doesn’t live in the RU (including a relative). The proxy could also be someone who lives in another RU in the DU (for example, an informed caretaker if the RU member cannot answer for himself or herself).

If the respondent is an RU member from a different RU in the DU, you must first determine if the person has joined the RU you are interviewing (usually through marriage or a partnership relationship). In that case, the person is now an RU member and not a proxy. However, if the person is indeed a member of a different RU, he or she would be coded as a proxy respondent.

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

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.


#RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

AS1085 RetirAcct

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS –

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.


#DEFINITION OF VALUE (FOR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS)

AS1105 RetirAcctValue

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.


#RETIRED

EMA2405 EverRetire

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.


#PENSION/RETIREMENT PLAN

EMA2820 RetirePlan

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:


#PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY

REB1150 RspbHCare

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.


#SALARIED/PAID BY HOUR/PAID OTHER WAY

EW1005 Salaried

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.


#GENERAL HEALTH COVERAGE

HP1020 SchHICovKind

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1365 SchlTpA

1st – 12th GRADE –

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

VOCATIONAL, COLLEGE, GRADUATE, PROFESSIONAL –

Includes junior college, community college, four-year college or university, nursing school or seminary, and graduate school or professional school that is attended after obtaining a degree from a 4-year institution. Vocational school includes secretarial school, mechanical or computer training school, and any other vocational, trade, or business school. The person need not have obtained a high school diploma or equivalency to attend some vocational schools.


#SCHOOL LEVEL DEFINITIONS

REA1645 SchLevelAddedPers

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.


#HEALTH PROBLEM

HH1040 HHSpecCond

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.


#S.S.I. (SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

IN1360 SSI

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.


#SURGICAL PROCEDURE

HS1030 IPSurgProc

OPERATIONS/SURGICAL PROCEDURES –

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.


#DEFINITION OF TAX RETURN

IN1030 FiledTax

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.


#WHAT MAKES UP TOTAL CHARGE

CP1107 EvpvTotChrgRng

WHAT MAKES UP TOTAL CHARGE –

The total dollar amount asked (‘charged’) for a service by a health care provider. This includes:


#LABOR UNION

EMA2885 BelongUnion

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.


#USUAL SOURCE OF HEALTH CARE

AC1020 HaveUSC

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REB1145 UsualResOrStu

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.


#VETERAN’S PAYMENTS

IN1500 VetPymt

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.


#GENERAL CHECKUP

OP1030 OPVstCat

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 children through the age of six.

LASER EYE SURGERY–

A surgery condition to correct some eye-related conditions, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. There are different types of laser eye surgery. LASIK is one of the most common. For many people, laser eye surgery can correct their vision so they no longer need glasses or contact lenses. PRK, LASEK and Epi-LASICK are other types of laser eye surgery.


#Questionnaire Help

CP1095 EvpvWhereBillTp

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 health care;

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.

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.

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE (IHS) –

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.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1890 WherePersJan1

LIVING AWAY AT SCHOOL –

A person who usually lived in the household, but at the specified time lived at a boarding school, academy, or 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’.

LIVING ON A MILITARY FACILITY –

A person who lived 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. The person did not necessarily need to be on full-time active duty in the armed forces to be living on a military facility.

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A FACILITY –

A person is considered institutionalized if s/he was:

Do not include community-based facilities, including community-based hospitals, as institutionalized. Refer to the Community Based Living vs. Institutionalized Job Aid in the Interview Quick Reference Guide for more information.

IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE/HOUSEHOLD –

Person was living in another household. 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 are living away at school, either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category. This category includes persons who were either civilian or full-time active duty in the armed forces and living in a private residence.

VOLUNTEERED: BORN AFTER DATE –

Person had not yet been born on date in question.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1355 WherePersNow

LIVING AWAY AT SCHOOL –

A person who usually lives in the household, but at the specified time lives at a boarding school, academy, or 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’.

LIVING ON A MILITARY FACILITY –

A person who 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. The person does not necessarily need to be on full-time active duty in the armed forces to be living on a military facility.

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A FACILITY –

A person is considered institutionalized if s/he is:

Do not include community-based facilities, including community-based hospitals, as institutionalized. Refer to the Community Based Living vs. Institutionalized Job Aid in the Interview Quick Reference Guide for more information.

IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE/HOUSEHOLD –

Person is living in another household. 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. This category includes persons who are either civilian or full-time active duty in the armed forces and living in a private residence.

DECEASED –

The person is no longer living.


#Questionnaire Help

REA1650 WhereStuNHIS

LIVING AWAY AT SCHOOL –

A person who usually lived in the household, but at the specified time lived at a boarding school, academy, or 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’.

LIVING ON A MILITARY FACILITY –

A person who lived 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. The person did not necessarily need to be on full-time active duty in the armed forces to be living on a military facility.

INSTITUTIONALIZED IN A FACILITY –

A person is considered institutionalized if s/he was:

Do not include community-based facilities, including community-based hospitals, as institutionalized. Refer to the Community Based Living vs. Institutionalized Job Aid in the Interview Quick Reference Guide for more information.

IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE/HOUSEHOLD –

Person was living in another household. 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 are living away at school, either grades 1-12 or post-secondary, in this category. This category includes persons who were either civilian or full-time active duty in the armed forces and living in a private residence.

VOLUNTEERED LEFT OFF THE ROSTER AT NHIS –

Person was living with this family, but was not included as part of the family.


#WHO TO INCLUDE (FOR RECEIVING CHILD SUPPORT)

IN1465 WhoChSuprt

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.


#Questionnaire Help

RJ1165 WhyLeftJob

JOB ENDED, TEMPORARY, SEASONAL, CONTRACT, ETC. –

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 CLOSED OR 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, INJURY, HEALTH PROBLEM –

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.

TERMINATED, FIRED, DISMISSED –

Employer ends job against the will of the employee. This can be due to issues with the employee’s performance but it also may be due to factors outside the employee’s control, such as company restructuring or the elimination of a position.

LAID OFF, LET GO –

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 – FAMILY REASON, MATERNITY LEAVE–

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. Maternity leave allows a pregnant RU member voluntarily terminates employment due to the birth of her child or quits to take care of an adopted child.

QUIT – 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 – JOB RELATED REASON –

RU member voluntary leaves employer directly due to job related conditions. Examples may include a difficult work environment, inconsistency or dissatisfaction with scheduling or hours, change in position expectations or responsibilities, or relocation. This incudes quitting due to taking another job.

QUIT – ANY OTHER REASON –

RU member voluntary leaves employer for any other reason. This may include wanting time off from working or time off to pursue other interests such as volunteering or personal hobbies.


#WEEKS WORKED/WORK FOR PAY

EMA3065 WksWorked

WEEKS WORKED –

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

If the respondent reports working every week of the reference period, code 'worked the whole time'. Do not enter the total number of weeks into the field.

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.


#REASON NOT WORKING

EMA3045 ResnNotWork

COULD NOT FIND WORK –

Unable to secure gainful employment while in an active job search.

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.

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.

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.

DON'T WANT TO WORK –

Voluntarily out of the labor force because of a desire for time off.


#WORKER’S COMPENSATION

IN1325 WrkrComp

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.


#REASONS NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING IN WRITING/FLAT FEE

CP1085 EvpvYNoBill

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: 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 –

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 –

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 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 (E.G. FLAT FEE) –

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.

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