Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS) Files

Medicare

Description

Our Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS) files have long-term care beneficiaries' responses to health status screening and assessment questions. These files also have long-term care providers' evaluations of long-term care beneficiaries' health.

More specifically, the files have the following information:

beneficiary demographics;
cognitive health status;
diagnosis codes;
diagnosis codes;
mood status;
physical evaluations;
procedure codes;
processing codes;
provider characteristics;
service dates; and
social behavior.

There are two types of MDS data: nursing home and swing beds. Both types of data have two versions:

Version 2.0, which covers 1999 to 2010.
Version 3.0, which covers 2010 to now.

NOTE: We do not currently offer MDS swing-bed data; however, we do offer MDS nursing home data.

Variables Summary

The table below lists variable categories for and some key variables in MDS data. For a comprehensive list of variables, review the MDS data dictionary.

Cognitive Assessment

Decision Making, Delirium Indicators, Dementia, Memory, Recall, Speech

Costs

Per Diem Payment Source (CHAMPUS, Medicaid, Medicare, Out of Pocket, VA)

Dates

Discharge Date, End Date, Entry Date, Re-entry Date, Record Date, Start Date

Demographics

Age, Beneficiary Identification Number, Date of Birth, Education, Gender, Height, Language, Marital Status, Occupation, Race/Ethnicity, State Code, Weight

Diagnoses

Claim Diagnosis Codes (International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10), including Cancer, Circulation/Heart, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Infections, Metabolic, Muscoloskeletal, Neurological, Nutritional, Psychiatric/Mood Disorder, Pulmonary, Vision

Drugs

Injections, Insulin, Medications Received (Antianxiety, Antibiotic, Anticoagulant, Antidepressant, Antipsychotic, Diuretic, Hypnotic)

Mood & Behavior

Mood: Resident Mood Interview (Self-Assessment), Staff Assessment
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Behavior: Impact on Self and Others, Physical Aggression, Psychosis Indicators, Rejection of Care, Verbal Aggression, Wandering

Physical Assessment

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Patterns, Bladder and Bowel, Breathing, Communication (Hearing, Mode of Expression, Speech, Writing), Dental/Oral Status, Eating Patterns, Pain Assessment & Management (Effect on Functioning, Frequency, Intensity, Presence), Problem Conditions (Dehydrated, Fever, Internal Bleeding, Vomiting), Restraints, Skin Conditions, Swallowing/Nutritional Status, Vision

Procedures, Services & Treatments

Cancer Treatments, Dialysis, Hospice Care, Influenza Vaccine, IV Medications, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Pneumococcal Vaccine, Psychological Therapy, Recreational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Respiratory Treatments, Respite Care, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Services, Transfusions

Processing

Data Layout Version

Provider

Facility National Provider Identifier (NPI), Physician Visits, Provider Unique Identifiers, State Provider Number

Years Available

1999 - 2018

Data Dictionary Link

Undergoing Updates

NIA Surveys Offering MDS

HRS, LLFS, NSHAP, PT, RADC, UFOVT, WLS

NIA Surveys Not Offering MDS

BLSA, CE, HABC, NHAS, NHATS, NLTCS, PSAD, PSID, UAS

Additional Resources