Files for Order - General Information
Guidance for three categories of files available for order with CMS.
Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Issue Date: January 10, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes certain data files available for order. These data files include information collected through the operation of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. There are three types of data made available.
Identifiable data files (IDFs) are available to certain stakeholders as allowed by federal laws and regulations as well as CMS policy. IDFs contain protected health information (PHI) and/or personally identifiable information (PII) and CMS is committed to ensuring this information is protected.
Limited Data Sets (LDS) are available to certain stakeholders as allowed by federal laws and regulations as well as CMS policy. LDS contain beneficiary level health information but exclude specific direct identifiers as outlined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). LDS are considered identifiable even though they do not contain Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Non-Identifiable Data Files are available to stakeholders for order. Non-Identifiable Data Files do not contain any protected health information (PHI) or personally identifiable information (PII).
Please use the navigation bar on the left to view information about the three categories of data available, including: Identifiable Data Files; Limited Data Sets; and, Non-Identifiable Data Files.
HHS is committed to making its websites and documents accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities. We are in the process of retroactively making some documents accessible. If you need assistance accessing an accessible version of this document, please reach out to the guidance@hhs.gov.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.