Summary of HC Questionnaire Sections
The MEPS-HC questionnaires
for Rounds 1–5 consist of many individual sections. Listed
below is a brief description of each section, including changes
that
have been made to that section over time.
AC – Access to Care (AC)
This supplemental section, asked in Rounds 2 and 4, identifies whether each household member has a medical provider who provides the usual source of care (USC), reasons why members without a USC do not have a USC, various aspects of satisfaction with usual care providers, and problems a household may have experienced in obtaining needed health care. This section was redesigned in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2). While it collects much of the same information, it now focuses on possible language barriers to health care and specifies problems any household member experienced in obtaining needed health, dental, or prescription medicine care as well.
AH – Additional Healthcare Questions (AH)
New in 2018, this section assesses the impact of any physical illness, injury, or mental or emotional problem on household members' attendance at work. Preventive care questions gather information about a small number of preventive care behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes and engaging in vigorous exercise.
AH – Additional Healthcare Questions (AH)
New in 2018, this section assesses the impact of any physical illness, injury, or mental or emotional problem on household members' attendance at work. Preventive care questions gather information about a small number of preventive care behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes and engaging in vigorous exercise.
AP – Alternative/Preventive Care (AP)
The Preventive Care supplemental section, asked in Round 3 and 5, gathers information on any preventive care received. Questions ask about frequency of dental and physical check-ups, flu shots, and other preventative health exams. Originally, this section included questions related to preventative care and alternative and complementary care. The section was not fielded in 1999. In 2000 (for Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3), a redesigned version of the section was fielded. The alternative and complementary care questions were omitted, additional preventative care questions were included, and the section name was changed from Alternative/Preventive Care to Preventive Care.
AP – Preventive Care (AP)
The Preventive Care supplemental section, asked in Round 3 and 5, gathers information on any preventive care received. Questions ask about frequency of dental and physical check-ups, flu shots, and other preventative health exams. Originally, this section included questions related to preventative care and alternative and complementary care. The section was not fielded in 1999. In 2000 (for Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3), a redesigned version of the section was fielded. The alternative and complementary care questions were omitted, additional preventative care questions were included, and the section name was changed from Alternative/Preventive Care to Preventive Care.
AS – Assets (AS)
To supplement financial data collected in the Income section, the Assets supplemental section, asked in Round 5, asks about household members' real estate, businesses, vehicles, investments, other assets, and debts.
CA – Calendar Section (CA)
This section monitors the use of a health events calendar provided to the respondent during the MEPS pre-contact interview for use in recording visits to medical providers and medical places. This information determines the household's path through the sections of the questionnaire that collect information on medical events.
CE – Condition Enumeration (CE)
The Condition Enumeration section first obtains a summary assessment of each person's physical and mental health. It then identifies specific physical and mental health conditions, accidents, or injuries affecting each person. Using this information, this section creates a roster of conditions and health problems reported for each family member. Later in the interview, this roster links with health care utilization and disability day information. Beginning in Panel 5 Round 1, the eligible age for pregnancy-related questions changed from 15 through 45 to 10 through 55.
CG – Caregiver (CG)
This supplemental section, asked in Rounds 2 and 4, collects information on potential caregivers both inside and outside the household. The questions inquire about the types and duration of care provided to any current or institutionalized, not deceased household member who has a home health event or is flagged for the long term care supplement. This section was omitted from the questionnaire beginning in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 4 and Panel 4 Round 2).
CL – Closing (CL)
At the end of each round's interview, the Closing section verifies contact information for the household for use in the next interview and identifies an alternative respondent for future interviews if the current respondent is no longer available. In 2018, new questions were added to obtain each phone number type (e.g., cell phone, work phone), to obtain permission to send text messages to cell phones, and to identify any rules or restrictions for using each phone number.
CM – Contacting Module (CM)
This section was added to the CAPI instrument in Spring 2022 to facilitate the collection of electronic authorization forms (AFs). Most critically for AFs, the CM section collects an email address and cellphone number for each adult household member. This data enables MEPS to send emails and texts to RU members regarding DocuSign AFs. A large portion of the Closing section was moved to this new CM section. This includes the collection of information to ensure that households can be reached for participation in future rounds, such as the best contact time, proxy information, a mailing address if it's different from the locating address, a second home address, locating contact, alternate respondent, and plans to move.
CN – Conditions (CN)
This section collects additional information about physical and mental health conditions identified through medical events or disability days. It obtains further details on each condition on each person's medical condition roster to determine if it was due to an accident or injury and whether it is on a priority list of conditions. If the condition is an accident or injury or a priority condition, subsequent questions ask whether a medical person has been consulted about the condition, when the condition was first noticed, the condition's severity, the current status of the condition, and any treatments received. In 1998, questions determining whether any conditions were related to service in the United States Armed Forces were added (Panel 2 Round 5 and Panel 3 Round 3).
CP – Charge Payment (CP)
The Charge Payment section tracks total charges and sources of payment for medical events reported in earlier sections. The section obtains specific information for each medical event reported on total charges, copayments, out-of-pocket payments, insurance payments, reimbursements, discounts, disallowed amounts, balance due, and other sources of payment. Additionally, it clarifies how prescription medicine claims are processed. References to separately billing doctors were omitted in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). Questions related to disallowed or disapproved charges and expected reimbursement were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Questions about third party payers for prescription medicines were added in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 3 and Panel 9 Round 1).
CR – Caregiver Roster (CR)
This supplemental section, asked in Rounds 2 and 4, collects detailed information on non-household members identified as a potential caregiver in the Caregiver supplemental section. This section was omitted from the questionnaire beginning in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 4 and Panel 4 Round 2).
CS – Child Preventive Health (CS)
This supplemental section, asked in Rounds 2 and 4, collects information on general health status, special health care needs, potential behavioral problems, accessibility to health care, preventative care, height, and weight of any child in the family. A subset of these questions was originally asked in the Health Status (HE) section and the hard copy Parent Administered Questionnaire (PAQ) asked in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 2) but were moved to a separate section (Child Preventive Health (CS)) in 2001 (Panel 5 Round 4 and Panel 6 Round 2) and modified.
CV – COVID Delays (CV)
In 2021 and the first half of 2022, this section assessed the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on access to health care. It asked if anyone in the household delayed seeking medical or dental care, and/or delayed getting prescription medicines because of the coronavirus pandemic. In the second half of 2021 through 2022, the section also collected which household members have had a COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot.
DD – Disability Days (DD)
The Disability Days section assesses the impact of any physical illness, injury, or mental or emotional problem on household members' attendance at work or school. These questions specify how many days of work or school were missed, for what health condition they were missed, and how many days were missed because of someone else's illness, injury, or health care needs. Questions were added for Round 3 beginning in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3) to determine how many of the reported disability days occurred in the previous year so that year by year analysis would be accurate.
DN – Dental Care (DN)
The Dental Care section obtains details on the nature of any dental care visit, type of dental care provider, treatments and services performed, and prescribed medicines. Beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3), questions related to dental injuries were omitted. Dental conditions are no longer collected in this section. Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
ED – Event Driver (ED)
The Event Driver verifies and modifies information entered in the Provider Probes, Event Roster, and Provider Roster sections. It also provides an opportunity to add new medical events throughout the interview if the respondent recalls an event after completing the Provider Probes section.
EE – Event Enumeration (EE)
New in 2018, the Event Enumeration section is a CAPI navigation tool to prompt for any additional health care events in specific event categories, such as emergency room visits, after this type of health care event for a household member.
EF – Event Follow-Up (EF)
New in 2018, the Event Follow-Up section is administered following reports of a hospital stay in which a baby was born or a woman gave birth to ensure that the hospital stay events are collected for both the mother and the baby if both people live in the household. This section is also administered if a household member received lab tests, to determine whether the tests were performed at the medical provider's office or during a separate health care event at a lab.
EM – Employment (EM)
The Employment section covers questions about each person's employment or self-employment status. For jobs identified, this section asks questions to obtain contact information for each employer. For several types of jobs, questions are asked about type of business or industry, firm size, how long the person has worked at each job, whether health insurance was offered, hours worked, and job titles or main duties. For persons who are currently employed, questions ask about periods of unpaid leave at their job. For those not currently working, questions ask about previous jobs and the reasons for not working. Items related to whether the person was working on December 31st of the data year were added in Panel 4 Round 3. Questions about whether the person's job was temporary or seasonal were added in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3). Additional questions about health insurance, including whether it was offered to the person, whether it was offered to any employee, and why the person was not eligible were added in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Beginning in 2002, items related to job begin and end hours and shift changes were omitted (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2). Informed consent information regarding contacting employers who provide health insurance was added in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 3 and Panel 9 Round 1).
EM – Employment (EM-A)
The Employment section covers questions about each person's employment or self-employment status. For jobs identified, this section asks questions to obtain contact information for each employer. For several types of jobs, questions are asked about type of business or industry, firm size, how long the person has worked at each job, whether health insurance was offered, hours worked, and job titles or main duties. For persons who are currently employed, questions ask about periods of unpaid leave at their job. For those not currently working, questions ask about previous jobs and the reasons for not working. Items related to whether the person was working on December 31st of the data year were added in Panel 4 Round 3. Questions about whether the person's job was temporary or seasonal were added in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3). Additional questions about health insurance, including whether it was offered to the person, whether it was offered to any employee, and why the person was not eligible were added in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Beginning in 2002, items related to job begin and end hours and shift changes were omitted (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2). Informed consent information regarding contacting employers who provide health insurance was added in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 3 and Panel 9 Round 1).
EM-O – Overall Structure of Employment (EM-O)
Because most private health insurance is provided through employment, the MEPS interview collects detailed information on jobs held by each person in the household aged 16 or older. This section functions to direct the CAPI program through the loop of employment-related questions for each person 16 or older.
EM-O – Overall Structure of Employment (EM-O)
Because most private health insurance is provided through employment, the MEPS interview collects detailed information on jobs held by each person in the household aged 16 or older. This section functions to direct the CAPI program through the loop of employment-related questions for each person 16 or older.
EM-O – Overall Structure of Employment (EM-O)
Because most private health insurance is provided through employment, the MEPS interview collects detailed information on jobs held by each person in the household aged 16 or older. This section functions to direct the CAPI program through the loop of employment-related questions for each person 16 or older.
ER – Emergency Room (ER)
The Emergency Room section obtains information on the health conditions requiring emergency room care, medical services provided, any surgical procedures performed, prescribed medicines, and the physicians and surgeons providing emergency room care. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. Items related to separately billing doctors were omitted beginning in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). The question collecting the name of any surgery performed was omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
ER – Emergency Room (ER)
The Emergency Room section obtains information on the health conditions requiring emergency room care, medical services provided, any surgical procedures performed, prescribed medicines, and the physicians and surgeons providing emergency room care. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. Items related to separately billing doctors were omitted beginning in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). The question collecting the name of any surgery performed was omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
ER – Emergency Room (ER)
The Emergency Room section obtains information on the health conditions requiring emergency room care, medical services provided, any surgical procedures performed, prescribed medicines, and the physicians and surgeons providing emergency room care. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. Items related to separately billing doctors were omitted beginning in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). The question collecting the name of any surgery performed was omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
EV – Event Roster (EV)
Probes continue in this section for additional detail on event dates, type of event, and type of provider. This section creates a roster displaying this information as it is linked to each person. The Event Roster links to further sections that collect more detailed data on each specific type of event and then the charge and payment for each event.
EW – Employment Wage (EW)
The Employment Wage section collects detailed information about the wage structure for all non-self employed, current jobs identified in the previous Employment (EM) section.
FF – Flat Fee (FF)
The Flat Fee section functions as a subsection of Charge Payment (CP). It captures information on those types of medical payment arrangements that charge a grouped amount, or flat fee, for multiple visits or services. References to separately billing doctors were removed beginning in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1).
FS – Food Security (FS)
The Food Security Questionnaire was fielded in 2016 and 2017 and will be fielded every year beginning in 2020 (Rounds 2 and 4). Households are eligible for the Food Security Questionnaire if the MEPS interview was completed by a Reporting Unit (RU) member and if the household is not a student RU. This ten-question survey collects data on household food security, including how often the household has run out of food; how often the household could not afford balanced meals; and whether an adult household member ever skipped meals, ate less, went hungry, or experienced weight loss because they could not afford to buy enough food.
HE – Health Status (HE)
The Health Status section continues to assess the physical and mental health status for both children and adults. Specific areas assessed include the loss of adult teeth, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), the use of health aids, physical limitations, activity limitations, mental impairments, vision impairments, and hearing difficulties. For children, this section obtains additional information on childhood immunizations, limitations to school attendance, participation in special education or therapy services, general health status, height, and weight. Questions related to whether any household members have lost their teeth were omitted beginning in Panel 3 Round 1. Questions related to child care were added in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 3 and Panel 4 Round 1). The child care variables were last released on the 2000 full year file. Beginning in 2001 (Panel 6 Round 2 and Panel 5 Round 4), some questions relating to children's health and health care were removed from the HE section and placed in the new section, CS, described above. In addition, childhood immunizations and limitations to school attendance were dropped, and some new questions were added. Note that this move did not include the questions related to child care that were added in 1999; those remain in the HE section. Questions assessing whether a person has had difficulty with or has required supervision for at least 3 months when performing daily activities were added beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1).
HE – Health Status (HE)
The Health Status section continues to assess the physical and mental health status for both children and adults. Specific areas assessed include the loss of adult teeth, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), the use of health aids, physical limitations, activity limitations, mental impairments, vision impairments, and hearing difficulties. For children, this section obtains additional information on childhood immunizations, limitations to school attendance, participation in special education or therapy services, general health status, height, and weight. Questions related to whether any household members have lost their teeth were omitted beginning in Panel 3 Round 1. Questions related to child care were added in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 3 and Panel 4 Round 1). The child care variables were last released on the 2000 full year file. Beginning in 2001 (Panel 6 Round 2 and Panel 5 Round 4), some questions relating to children's health and health care were removed from the HE section and placed in the new section, CS, described above. In addition, childhood immunizations and limitations to school attendance were dropped, and some new questions were added. Note that this move did not include the questions related to child care that were added in 1999; those remain in the HE section. Questions assessing whether a person has had difficulty with or has required supervision for at least 3 months when performing daily activities were added beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1).
HE – Health Status (HE)
The Health Status section continues to assess the physical and mental health status for both children and adults. Specific areas assessed include the loss of adult teeth, limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), the use of health aids, physical limitations, activity limitations, mental impairments, vision impairments, and hearing difficulties. For children, this section obtains additional information on childhood immunizations, limitations to school attendance, participation in special education or therapy services, general health status, height, and weight. Questions related to whether any household members have lost their teeth were omitted beginning in Panel 3 Round 1. Questions related to child care were added in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 3 and Panel 4 Round 1). The child care variables were last released on the 2000 full year file. Beginning in 2001 (Panel 6 Round 2 and Panel 5 Round 4), some questions relating to children's health and health care were removed from the HE section and placed in the new section, CS, described above. In addition, childhood immunizations and limitations to school attendance were dropped, and some new questions were added. Note that this move did not include the questions related to child care that were added in 1999; those remain in the HE section. Questions assessing whether a person has had difficulty with or has required supervision for at least 3 months when performing daily activities were added beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1).
HH – Home Health (HH)
For those persons using home health care, the Home Health section obtains information on the types of health care workers providing home health services, reasons for home health care, the nature of home health services provided, frequency of visits, length per visits, and duration of visits.
HH – Home Health (HH)
For those persons using home health care, the Home Health section obtains information on the types of health care workers providing home health services, reasons for home health care, the nature of home health services provided, frequency of visits, length per visits, and duration of visits.
HH – Home Health (HH)
For those persons using home health care, the Home Health section obtains information on the types of health care workers providing home health services, reasons for home health care, the nature of home health services provided, frequency of visits, length per visits, and duration of visits.
HP – Private Health Insurance Detail (HP)
This section collects additional detail on each private health insurance policy, including the name of the insurance company, the policyholder of each plan identified, and the household members covered by each policy. Informed consent information regarding contacting employers who provide health insurance was added beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 3 and Panel 9 Round 1).
HP – Private Health Insurance Detail (HP)
This section collects additional detail on each private health insurance policy, including the name of the insurance company, the policyholder of each plan identified, and the household members covered by each policy. Informed consent information regarding contacting employers who provide health insurance was added beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 3 and Panel 9 Round 1).
HP – Private Health Insurance Detail (HP)
This section collects additional detail on each private health insurance policy, including the name of the insurance company, the policyholder of each plan identified, and the household members covered by each policy. Informed consent information regarding contacting employers who provide health insurance was added beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 3 and Panel 9 Round 1).
HQ – Time Period Covered Detail (HQ)
This section clarifies the timeframe for which each person was covered by each reported health insurance policy. It links to the Health Insurance (HX), Private Health Insurance Detail (HP), and Old Public Related Insurance (PR) sections.
HQ – Time Period Covered Detail (HQ)
This section clarifies the timeframe for which each person was covered by each reported health insurance policy. It links to the Health Insurance (HX), Private Health Insurance Detail (HP), and Old Public Related Insurance (PR) sections.
HS – Hospital Stay (HS)
The Hospital Stay section obtains details on the length of stay, reasons or conditions requiring hospitalization, surgical procedures performed, medicines prescribed at discharge, and the physicians and surgeons providing hospital care. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. Items related to separately billing doctors were omitted beginning in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). The question collecting the name of any surgery performed was omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
HX – Health Insurance (HX)
The Health Insurance section collects information about private health insurance obtained through an employer, direct purchase private insurance plans, and public health insurance programs. It identifies the household members covered by health insurance, type of plan, name of each plan, nature of coverage under each plan, duration of coverage, and who pays various costs for the policy premiums. It also identifies the household members not covered by health insurance. For employer-sponsored coverage, this section creates a link to job characteristics collected in the Employment (EM) section of the questionnaire. For individuals who are uninsured at the beginning of the year, the section collects information on the length of time they have been uninsured. For private insurance policies, it obtains information on employer-related coverage and non-employer-related coverage (i.e., purchased through a group, association, school, small business group, insurance company, etc.). The Health Insurance section also collects information for public insurance on Medicare, Medicaid/SCHIP, Medicaid waiver programs, CHAMPUS/CHAMPVA (now TRICARE/CHAMPVA), and other government programs. Items were added in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 4 and Panel 4 Round 2) inquiring whether the person was covered on 12/31 of the data year. In 2001 (Panel 5 Round 3 and Panel 6 Round 1), items related to whether the insurance will cover part of the cost of an out-of-network provider were added. Other questions related to information about Medicaid cards, being denied insurance, limitations due to medical conditions, and purchasing health insurance were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3), questions regarding private insurance providing additional benefits were omitted. Questions were added in 2002 to collect different types of TRICARE/CHAMPVA plans (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3). Questions about whether Medicare required the person to have a primary doctor were omitted beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3). Also in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3), questions that collected information about whether the person's Medicare was an HMO or Gatekeeper Plan were revised to collect information about all Medicare managed care plans, including HMOs and PPOs.
IC – Institutional Care Stay (IC)
New in 2018, the Institutional Care section captures condition data and provider type (e.g., inpatient rehabilitation facility, residential addiction treatment center) for institutional care stays in an institution providing 24-hour skilled nursing care.
IN – Income (IN)
This supplemental section, asked in Rounds 3 and 5, collects information about the household members' Federal income tax filing status, specifically about itemized deductions for health insurance premiums, tax credits, wages, other private income sources, and public assistance income. Several questions were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3). These questions ascertained whether the person will itemize medical expenses and the amount of certain expenses. Also omitted was a question asking whether the person receives credit for being elderly or disabled. In addition, starting in 2002, all eligible persons were asked questions about income, rather than only those who have or will file tax returns. Other questions were altered to include more sources of income, such as non-farm businesses. Several questions about income from farms were omitted. Income questions concerning unemployment compensation, Social Security and equivalent tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) were altered.
LC – Long-Term Care (LC)
For any current or institutionalized, not deceased household member who received long term care due to an impairment or a physical or mental health problem, this supplemental section collects information on the kinds of help received, the duration of care, accommodations made by employers, transportation services, special equipment, the age at which limitations began, conditions associated with the limitations, and whether the problem or limitations are related to military service. This section was omitted from the questionnaire beginning in 1999 (Panel 3 Round 4 and Panel 4 Round 2).
MC – Managed Care (MC)
This section determines whether household members are covered under a private managed care plan. The section groups the types of coverage as either HMO, other type of managed care plan, or non-managed care plan based on questions about the characteristics of the insurance plan.
MV – Medical Provider Visits (MV)
The Medical Provider Visits section obtains details on the nature of any contacts or visits, the type of provider, time spent with the provider, health conditions requiring medical provider services, treatments and services performed, surgical procedures, and prescribed medicines. This section also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that cost the same amount as the original visit. Questions related to whether the person was referred to the medical provider, how long the person spent with the provider, and the name of the surgery performed were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Items added in 2002 include the medical provider's specialty and the medical provider's place type (e.g., managed care plan center or doctor's office). Categories were added to the question asking about the provider type (acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopathic/naturopathic/herbalist, and other alternative/complementary care provider) and the procedures performed during the visit (laser eye surgery). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
MV – Medical Provider Visits (MV)
The Medical Provider Visits section obtains details on the nature of any contacts or visits, the type of provider, time spent with the provider, health conditions requiring medical provider services, treatments and services performed, surgical procedures, and prescribed medicines. This section also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that cost the same amount as the original visit. Questions related to whether the person was referred to the medical provider, how long the person spent with the provider, and the name of the surgery performed were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Items added in 2002 include the medical provider's specialty and the medical provider's place type (e.g., managed care plan center or doctor's office). Categories were added to the question asking about the provider type (acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopathic/naturopathic/herbalist, and other alternative/complementary care provider) and the procedures performed during the visit (laser eye surgery). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
MV – Medical Provider Visits (MV)
The Medical Provider Visits section obtains details on the nature of any contacts or visits, the type of provider, time spent with the provider, health conditions requiring medical provider services, treatments and services performed, surgical procedures, and prescribed medicines. This section also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that cost the same amount as the original visit. Questions related to whether the person was referred to the medical provider, how long the person spent with the provider, and the name of the surgery performed were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Items added in 2002 include the medical provider's specialty and the medical provider's place type (e.g., managed care plan center or doctor's office). Categories were added to the question asking about the provider type (acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopathic/naturopathic/herbalist, and other alternative/complementary care provider) and the procedures performed during the visit (laser eye surgery). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
OC – Over-the-Counter Medicine (OC)
The Over-the-Counter Medicines section collects details about purchases of any over-the-counter medicines for the family during the reference period, as well as the type of health conditions for which they were purchased and the total price paid for these medicines. This section was omitted from the questionnaire beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1).
OE – Old Employment/ Private Related Insurance (OE)
For RU members that still hold the same job in Rounds 2 through 5 that was reported during the previous round as providing health insurance, this section collects information about the continuation of insurance coverage. In 2001 (Panel 5 Round 5 and Panel 6 Round 2), questions about whether the policyholder was responsible for any amount of the charge, whether there was an additional name for the insurance, and payments to out-of-network providers were added.
OF – Off Path Navigation (OF)
New in 2018, the Off Path section provides the ability to report additional health care events or household members after the instrument sections in which this data is usually collected.
OM – Other Medical Expenses (OM)
This section serves to direct the CAPI program to other sections in cases where respondents report expenses for glasses or contact lenses or for insulin and other diabetic equipment or supplies. Questions were added for Round 3 to determine how many of the reported glasses or contacts were obtained in the previous year (starting in 2000, Panel 4 Round 3).
OP – Outpatient Department (OP)
If any outpatient visits were made during the reference period, this section obtains details on the nature of the contact, type of care received, health conditions requiring outpatient services, treatments and services performed, surgical procedures, prescribed medicines, and the physicians and surgeons providing outpatient services. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. It also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that cost the same amount as the original outpatient visit. Beginning in 2000, questions inquiring about separately billing doctors were omitted (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). Beginning in 2002, the questions asking for the outpatient department's name, whether the person was referred to the department, how much time was spent in the department, and the name of any surgery performed were omitted (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, a question asking for the doctor's specialty was added. Categories were added to the question asking about the provider type (acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopathic/naturopathic/herbalist, and other alternative/complementary care provider) and the procedures performed during the visit (laser eye surgery). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
OP – Outpatient Department (OP)
If any outpatient visits were made during the reference period, this section obtains details on the nature of the contact, type of care received, health conditions requiring outpatient services, treatments and services performed, surgical procedures, prescribed medicines, and the physicians and surgeons providing outpatient services. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. It also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that cost the same amount as the original outpatient visit. Beginning in 2000, questions inquiring about separately billing doctors were omitted (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). Beginning in 2002, the questions asking for the outpatient department's name, whether the person was referred to the department, how much time was spent in the department, and the name of any surgery performed were omitted (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, a question asking for the doctor's specialty was added. Categories were added to the question asking about the provider type (acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopathic/naturopathic/herbalist, and other alternative/complementary care provider) and the procedures performed during the visit (laser eye surgery). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
OP – Outpatient Department (OP)
If any outpatient visits were made during the reference period, this section obtains details on the nature of the contact, type of care received, health conditions requiring outpatient services, treatments and services performed, surgical procedures, prescribed medicines, and the physicians and surgeons providing outpatient services. This section collects physicians and surgeons who are not already on the provider roster. It also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that cost the same amount as the original outpatient visit. Beginning in 2000, questions inquiring about separately billing doctors were omitted (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). Beginning in 2002, the questions asking for the outpatient department's name, whether the person was referred to the department, how much time was spent in the department, and the name of any surgery performed were omitted (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, a question asking for the doctor's specialty was added. Categories were added to the question asking about the provider type (acupuncturist, massage therapist, homeopathic/naturopathic/herbalist, and other alternative/complementary care provider) and the procedures performed during the visit (laser eye surgery). Also in 2002, clarifications were added to the F1 help text to indicate that over-the-counter medicines should not be included as prescription medicines and sample medicines are collected separately in the Prescribed Medicines (PM) section.
PC – Priority Conditions (Quality Supplement) (PC)
The Priority Conditions section, added in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3), collects information about a select group of medical conditions including sore or strep throat, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attacks, other heart disorders, strokes, emphysema, joint pain, and arthritis. This is a supplemental section asked in Rounds 3 and 5. The sore or strep throat questions were first added in 2001 (Panel 5 Round 5 and Panel 6 Round 3). In 2003, additional questions related to different medications used to treat asthma were added (Panel 7 Round 5 and Panel 8 Round 3). In 2007 there were two different versions of the form fielded. Respondents in Panel 11, Rounds 3-5 received the version used in prior years while those in Panel 12, Rounds 1-3 received a revised version.
PD – Provider Directory (PD)
The Provider Directory section compiles a directory of all medical persons and medical facilities reported by MEPS respondents. It clarifies the relationship of each medical provider to the person's insurance plan and verifies the name, address, and telephone number of the provider. Beginning in 2000, a question asking whether the provider was seen in a Veteran's Administration facility was added and references to separately billing doctors were omitted (Panel 4 Round 3 and Panel 5 Round 1). Beginning in 2002, questions asking whether the provider was part of a health insurance plan were omitted (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1).
PE – Priority Conditions Enumeration (PE)
The Priority Conditions Enumeration section, added in 2007 (Panel 12, Rounds 1, 2, and 3), includes questions which obtain a summary assessment of each person's physical and mental health. Additionally, information is collected about a select group of medical conditions including sore or strep throat, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, coronary heart disease, angina, heart attacks, other heart disorders, strokes, emphysema, joint pain, and arthritis. Using this information, this section creates a roster of conditions and health problems reported for each family member. Later in the interview, this roster links with health care utilization and disability day information.
PG – Pregnancy Detail (PG)
The Pregnancy Detail section collects additional information for women identified in the Condition Enumeration section as having been pregnant at any time during the reference period. This additional information includes the current pregnancy status, pregnancy duration, and any complications. If the pregnancy has ended in a live birth, the section obtains further information on the number of births, place of delivery, type of delivery, and infant's birth weight. The PG section was dropped from the questionnaire beginning with Panel 12 Round 1.
PM – Prescribed Medicines (PM)
The Prescribed Medicines section obtains details on prescribed medicines reported in earlier medical events sections as well as additional prescriptions reported in this section. Questions determine whether free pharmaceutical samples were obtained, the specific health problems for which the medicine was prescribed, the number of refills obtained during the reference period, the first date of use of each medicine, and the name and address of the pharmacy that filled each prescription. Questions were added for Round 3 to determine how many of the reported prescription medicines were obtained in the previous year (starting in 2000, Panel 4 Round 3). In 2002, efforts were made to prompt the respondent to include online purchases of prescription medicines (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1).
PP – Provider Probes (PP)
The Provider Probes section collects the information required to create a medical event in the database, i.e., the type of event, the person incurring the event, the health care provider, and the date(s) of the event. This section links with the Event Roster, Provider Roster, and Event Driver sections. In 2002, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, paramedics, health aides, physician assistants, optometrists/ophthalmologists, podiatrists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychiatric social workers, mental health therapists, and audiologists were added to the list of providers (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Also in 2002, questions about independent labs/testing facilities and alternative care were added, and getting medicines was added to the list of tasks performed by home health care workers. Finally, assisted living facilities were added to the long term care facilities list.
PR – Old Public Related Insurance (PR)
For RU members who were covered during the previous round by Medicare, Medicaid/SCHIP, CHAMPUS/CHAMPVA (now TRICARE/CHAMPVA), or other state or local government sponsored programs, this section collects information about the continuation of coverage provided through these public programs. Questions were added in 2002 to collect different types of TRICARE/CHAMPVA plans (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3). A question determining whether Medicare required the person to have a primary doctor was omitted beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3). Also in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3), questions that collected information about whether the person's Medicare was an HMO or Gatekeeper Plan were revised to collect information about all Medicare managed care plans, including HMOs and PPOs. For 2009 and 2010, PR sections were updated to specify coverage through the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan rather than the plan entered at PR02OV or PR04.
PR – Old Public Related Insurance (PR)
For RU members who were covered during the previous round by Medicare, Medicaid/SCHIP, CHAMPUS/CHAMPVA (now TRICARE/CHAMPVA), or other state or local government sponsored programs, this section collects information about the continuation of coverage provided through these public programs. Questions were added in 2002 to collect different types of TRICARE/CHAMPVA plans (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3). A question determining whether Medicare required the person to have a primary doctor was omitted beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3). Also in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3), questions that collected information about whether the person's Medicare was an HMO or Gatekeeper Plan were revised to collect information about all Medicare managed care plans, including HMOs and PPOs. For 2009 and 2010, PR sections were updated to specify coverage through the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan rather than the plan entered at PR02OV or PR04.
PR – Old Public Related Insurance (PR)
For RU members who were covered during the previous round by Medicare, Medicaid/SCHIP, CHAMPUS/CHAMPVA (now TRICARE/CHAMPVA), or other state or local government sponsored programs, this section collects information about the continuation of coverage provided through these public programs. Questions were added in 2002 to collect different types of TRICARE/CHAMPVA plans (Panel 6 Round 5 and Panel 7 Round 3). A question determining whether Medicare required the person to have a primary doctor was omitted beginning in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3). Also in 2004 (Panel 8 Round 5 and Panel 9 Round 3), questions that collected information about whether the person's Medicare was an HMO or Gatekeeper Plan were revised to collect information about all Medicare managed care plans, including HMOs and PPOs. For 2009 and 2010, PR sections were updated to specify coverage through the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan rather than the plan entered at PR02OV or PR04.
PV – Provider Roster (PV)
This section creates a roster to display the name and street address of each provider and/or facility associated with each person's medical events detailed in the Event Roster. This information is strictly confidential.
PV – Provider Roster (PV)
This section creates a roster to display the name and street address of each provider and/or facility associated with each person's medical events detailed in the Event Roster. This information is strictly confidential.
PV – Provider Roster (PV)
This section creates a roster to display the name and street address of each provider and/or facility associated with each person's medical events detailed in the Event Roster. This information is strictly confidential.
QS – Quality Supplement (QS)
Redesigned in 2018, the Quality Supplement section (now abbreviated as QS rather than PC) presents an overview of all hard-copy supplements requested from any household members, distributes each supplement for completion, and collects an initial status for each supplement. Other content previously in the PC section collecting details about asthma or diabetes is now in other interview sections, to improve interview flow by grouping questions on the same topic within fewer interview sections.
RE-A – Reenumeration-A (RE-A)
Reenumeration refers to the process of collecting eligibility and demographic data on each person associated with a household participating in MEPS. The Reenumeration section has two parts, Reenumeration-A and Reenumeration-B. RE-A -- Reenumeration-A Part A includes questions RE01 through RE75, which identify and define the eligibility status for each person and family unit living within each MEPS sampled household, as well as any family members who are temporarily living away from the household. Part A identifies the reference period for each family unit and the person that serves as the primary respondent for the family is identified. It also obtains age, gender, and marital status for each person.
RE-A – Reenumeration-A (RE-A)
Reenumeration refers to the process of collecting eligibility and demographic data on each person associated with a household participating in MEPS. The Reenumeration section has two parts, Reenumeration-A and Reenumeration-B. RE-A -- Reenumeration-A Part A includes questions RE01 through RE75, which identify and define the eligibility status for each person and family unit living within each MEPS sampled household, as well as any family members who are temporarily living away from the household. Part A identifies the reference period for each family unit and the person that serves as the primary respondent for the family is identified. It also obtains age, gender, and marital status for each person.
RE-A – Reenumeration-AÂ (RE-A)
Reenumeration refers to the process of collecting eligibility and demographic data on each person associated with a household participating in MEPS. The Reenumeration section has two parts, Reenumeration-A and Reenumeration-B. RE-A -- Reenumeration-A Part A includes questions RE01 through RE75, which identify and define the eligibility status for each person and family unit living within each MEPS sampled household, as well as any family members who are temporarily living away from the household. Part A identifies the reference period for each family unit and the person that serves as the primary respondent for the family is identified. It also obtains age, gender, and marital status for each person.
RE-B – Reenumeration-B (RE-B)
Reenumeration refers to the process of collecting eligibility and demographic data on each person associated with a household participating in MEPS. The Reenumeration section has two parts, Reenumeration-A and Reenumeration-B. RE-B -- Reenumeration-B Part B of the Reenumeration section includes questions RE76 through RE112. This section details how family members are related to one another and the size of the family unit. Race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and military status for each person are specified. The questions regarding race and ethnicity have changed a number of times throughout the history of MEPS. To learn more about these changes, refer to the links to the Reenumeration-B section provided.
RE-B – Reenumeration-B (RE-B)
Reenumeration refers to the process of collecting eligibility and demographic data on each person associated with a household participating in MEPS. The Reenumeration section has two parts, Reenumeration-A and Reenumeration-B. RE-B -- Reenumeration-B Part B of the Reenumeration section includes questions RE76 through RE112. This section details how family members are related to one another and the size of the family unit. Race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and military status for each person are specified. The questions regarding race and ethnicity have changed a number of times throughout the history of MEPS. To learn more about these changes, refer to the links to the Reenumeration-B section provided.
RE-B – Reenumeration-BÂ (RE-B)
Reenumeration refers to the process of collecting eligibility and demographic data on each person associated with a household participating in MEPS. The Reenumeration section has two parts, Reenumeration-A and Reenumeration-B. RE-B -- Reenumeration-B Part B of the Reenumeration section includes questions RE76 through RE112. This section details how family members are related to one another and the size of the family unit. Race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and military status for each person are specified. The questions regarding race and ethnicity have changed a number of times throughout the history of MEPS. To learn more about these changes, refer to the links to the Reenumeration-B section provided.
RF – Respondent Forms (RF)
New in 2018, the Respondent Forms section facilitates the completion of authorization forms for each unique person-provider pair and each unique person-establishment pair. This section records and updates status for each hard-copy supplement requested from household members.
RJ – Review of Employment Information (RJ)
In Rounds 2 through 5, the Review of Employment Information reviews employment information for any current job identified during the previous round. It collects updated information on job status, salary where changes in wages occur, full- or part-time work, health insurance benefits, and size of employment establishment if the jobholder is self employed. Questions about whether the person's job was temporary or seasonal were added in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3). Additional questions about health insurance, including whether it was offered to the person, whether it was offered to any employee, and why the person was not eligible were added in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Items related to shift changes were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2).
RJ – Review of Employment Information (RJ)
In Rounds 2 through 5, the Review of Employment Information reviews employment information for any current job identified during the previous round. It collects updated information on job status, salary where changes in wages occur, full- or part-time work, health insurance benefits, and size of employment establishment if the jobholder is self employed. Questions about whether the person's job was temporary or seasonal were added in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3). Additional questions about health insurance, including whether it was offered to the person, whether it was offered to any employee, and why the person was not eligible were added in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Items related to shift changes were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2).
RJ – Review of Employment Information (RJ)
In Rounds 2 through 5, the Review of Employment Information reviews employment information for any current job identified during the previous round. It collects updated information on job status, salary where changes in wages occur, full- or part-time work, health insurance benefits, and size of employment establishment if the jobholder is self employed. Questions about whether the person's job was temporary or seasonal were added in 2000 (Panel 4 Round 5 and Panel 5 Round 3). Additional questions about health insurance, including whether it was offered to the person, whether it was offered to any employee, and why the person was not eligible were added in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 3 and Panel 7 Round 1). Items related to shift changes were omitted beginning in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2).
RS – RU Information Screen (RS)
To assist in conducting subsequent interviews, the interviewer records helpful information in this section, such as special instructions, special problems, locating directions, difficulties with the CAPI administration, and whether the household moved. References to audio-taping the interview were omitted beginning in 1998 (Panel 2 Round 4 and Panel 3 Round 2). The special instructions and questions related to whether the household moved were added in 1998 as well.
SHE – Social and Health Experiences (SHE)
The Social and Health Experiences Self-Administered Questionnaire was administered to adults in Spring 2021. The MEPS-HC regularly asks about many individual or family characteristics considered to be or correlated with social or behavioral determinants of health, including race/ethnicity, education level, poverty, employment, health, and smoking status. This supplement asked questions about social and behavioral factors that have not been asked about in MEPS before. The topics included measures of general life satisfaction, housing quality, neighborhood characteristics, measures of financial strain, stress, food security, physical activity, transportation issues, measures of social connectedness, measures of loneliness, experiences of discrimination, experiences of physical and social violence, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). See Social and Health Experiences Sources for a list of sources used for question wording. The supplement was fielded in English and Spanish using a multimode (web, paper) approach.
SP – Satisfaction with Health Plan (SP)
The Satisfaction with Health Plan section collects satisfaction information for private insurance, Medigap, Medicare managed care programs, Medicaid/SCHIP, and TRICARE insurance. The information collected includes ease of access to medical care, need to seek approval for medical treatments and delays in care experienced while waiting for approval, ease of access to understandable plan information and repercussions of poor access, need to complete paperwork and problems filling out paperwork, and an overall rating of the health plan. This supplemental section, asked in Round 2 and 4, was redesigned in 2002 (Panel 6 Round 4 and Panel 7 Round 2). While it collects much of the same information, the questions were revised slightly to match the CAHPS® questionnaire. Also, this section includes questions about Medicare HMOs and TRICARE/CHAMPVA. Beginning in 2013, this survey section was discontinued.
ST – Start/Restart (ST)
New in 2018, the Start/Restart (ST) section is administered at the beginning of each interview and when interviewing resumes following a breakoff from the interview. This section verifies that the interviewer has selected the correct case, identifies the person that serves as the primary respondent for the family, and obtains consent for the interview to be recording for quality control purposes.
TH – Telehealth (TH)
The Telehealth section was added in 2021. If any telehealth visits occurred during the reference period, this section obtains details on the nature of the contact (phone, video, other), the doctor's specialty or type of medical provider seen (e.g., acupuncturist, mental health counselor, nurse, etc.), whether the place where the provider works is owned or operated by a hospital, main reason for the visit (e.g., check-up, diagnosis, counseling, etc.), health conditions requiring telehealth services, and prescribed medicines. This section also probes for any follow up or repeat visits that were for the same condition as the original visit.
Suggested
Citation:
Questionnaire sections for Rounds 1–5. Content last reviewed November
2019. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
Rockville,
MD. https://meps.ahrq.gov/survey_comp/hc_ques_sections.jsp
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