Enhancing Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Data

描述（由申请人提供）：在“增强基于医疗保险数据的研究文件的机密性”项目中，Acumen，LLC旨在扩大研究人员使用与调查相关的医疗保险索赔数据的整体能力。目前，获得医疗保险和医疗补助服务中心（CMS）批准访问这些文件的过程需要大量的文书工作和延迟，这给研究人员带来了沉重的负担。为了方便访问高质量的数据，Acumen将创建与调查相关的医疗保险索赔级别文件，以满足CMS的加速DUA流程要求。这一过程允许研究人员放弃获取个人身份信息（PII）数据所需的标准程序的组成部分。然而，目前在快速程序下提供的有限数据集档案存在重大缺陷。具体来说，LDS文件加密、屏蔽或省略大量数据元素。此外，该变量不包含足够的信息，以允许链接到调查数据，分层分析，或地理变异的研究，除其他研究目的。通过快速流程创建更详细的与调查相关的索赔级别文件，Acumen不仅可以减少对PII数据的需求（从而提高受益人的保密性），还可以让更多的研究人员访问详细的CMS数据。 为了创建这些增强的与调查相关的Medicare文件，Acumen将利用我们现有的Medicare/Medicaid研究信息中心（MedRIC）。MedRIC是Acumen建立的机制，用于创建和分发链接到各种CMS管理文件的调查数据。为了满足研究人员的需求和CMS法规，Acumen将与NIA调查和CMS密切合作，以实现以下第一阶段目标：1.审查加速DUA流程的CMS数据结构和变量加密标准2。设计符合CMS加速DUA规则的候选数据结构3.咨询NIA调查，以完善候选数据结构4.确保CMS批准最终数据结构5.建立一个设计的数据请求过程与国家影响评估调查和CMS 6.确定数据存储和提取所需的其他计算机基础设施在此快速通道应用程序的第二阶段，Acumen将构建第一阶段设计的数据文件，创建文档，开始数据分发，并获得用户反馈。创建这些文件的目的是通过改善研究人员对CMS数据的访问，同时加强对受益人的保密保护，来改变研究界的数据使用模式。 公共卫生相关性：目前，希望获得详细的医疗保险管理数据的研究人员必须经过漫长的申请过程才能获得这些信息。根据“增强基于医疗保险数据的研究文件的机密性”项目，Acumen将创建与NIA调查数据相关联的增强型医疗保险文件，这些文件：i）研究人员将能够通过现有的快速获取流程访问，ii）通过减少对包含个人身份信息的CMS数据的需求，更好地保护受益人的机密性。通过促进高质量数据的获取，Acumen旨在提高目前在广泛的研究学科中进行的医疗保健研究的质量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the "Enhancing Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Data" project, Acumen, LLC aims to expand the overall capabilities of researchers to use survey-linked Medicare claims data. Currently the process for obtaining approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to access these files entails significant paperwork and delays, which imposes a substantial burden on researchers. To facilitate access to high-quality data, Acumen will create survey-linked Medicare claims-level files that meet CMS's expedited DUA process requirements. This process allows researchers to forego components of the standard procedures required to obtain data with personally identifiable information (PII). The Limited Data Set (LDS) files currently available under the expedited process, however, have significant shortcomings. Specifically, the LDS files encrypt, mask, or omit a large number of data elements. Further, the variable do not contain sufficient information to permit linking to survey data, stratified analyses, or the study of geographic variation, among other research purposes. By creating more detailed survey-linked claim-level files available through the expedited process, Acumen will not only reduce the demand for PII data (thus, enhancing beneficiary confidentiality), but also will allow more researchers to access detailed CMS data. To create these enhanced survey-linked Medicare files, Acumen will leverage our existing Medicare/Medicaid Research Information Center (MedRIC). MedRIC is Acumen's established mechanism for creating and distributing survey-data linked to various CMS administrative files. To meet researcher demand and CMS regulations, Acumen will closely collaborate with NIA surveys and the CMS to accomplish the following Phase I aims: 1. Review CMS data structure and variable encryption criteria for the expedited DUA process 2. Design candidate data structures that comply with the CMS expedited DUA regulations 3. Consult with NIA surveys to refine candidate data structures 4. Secure CMS approval for finalized data structure 5. Establish a design for a data request process with NIA surveys and CMS 6. Determine additional computer infrastructure needed for data storage and extraction In Phase II of this Fast Track application, Acumen will build the data file designed in Phase I, create documentation, begin data distribution, and obtain user feedback. The creation of these files aims to shift research community's data use paradigm by improving researcher access to CMS data while enhancing beneficiary confidentiality protections. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Currently, researchers who wish to acquire detailed Medicare administrative data must undergo a lengthy application process to access this information. Under the "Enhancing the Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Data" project, Acumen will create enhanced Medicare files linked to NIA survey data that: i) researchers will be able to access through an existing expedited acquisition process, and ii) will better protect beneficiary confidentiality by reducing the demand for CMS data containing personally identifiable information. By facilitating access to high-quality data, Acumen aims to improve the quality of healthcare research currently conducted across a wide range of research disciplines.