Enhancing Confidentiality of Research Files Based on Medicare Data

描述（由申请人提供）：在“基于医疗保险数据增强研究文件的保密性”项目中，Acumen， LLC旨在扩展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误，这给研究人员带来了沉重的负担。为了方便访问高质量数据，Acumen将创建与调查相关的医疗保险索赔级别文件，以满足CMS的快速DUA流程要求。该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，目前在加速过程中可用的有限数据集（LDS）文件存在显着的缺点。具体来说，LDS文件加密、掩码或省略大量数据元素。此外，该变量不包含足够的信息，无法将其与调查数据、分层分析或地理差异研究等研究目的联系起来。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医疗保险文件，Acumen将利用我们现有的医疗保险/医疗补助研究信息中心（MedRIC）。MedRIC是Acumen建立的机制，用于创建和分发与各种CMS管理文件相关联的调查数据。为了满足研究人员的需求和CMS的规定，Acumen将与NIA调查和CMS密切合作，以完成以下第一阶段的目标：审查CMS数据结构和快速DUA过程的可变加密标准2。设计符合CMS加速DUA法规的候选数据结构。参考NIA调查来完善候选数据结构。确保CMS对最终数据结构的批准利用NIA调查和CMS 6建立数据请求流程设计。在该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。这些文件的创建旨在通过改善研究人员对CMS数据的访问，同时加强受益人的保密保护，从而改变研究界的数据使用范式。

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.