Data and Analytics

Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)

The HCUP family of databases can enable research on COVID-related health policy issues, including cost and quality of health services, medical practice patterns, access to healthcare programs, and outcomes of treatments at the national, State, and local market levels. HCUPnet is a free online query system that provides access to health statistics and information on hospital inpatient and emergency department utilization that can be used for COVID-19 planning and response. Access guidance on obtaining HCUP data.

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)

MEPS is the only national data source measuring how Americans use and pay for medical care, health insurance, and out-of-pocket spending. Data from MEPS can help provide insights for understanding the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access guidance on obtaining MEPS data.

Analytic Tools

AHRQ's Analytic Tools are available to assist in using the data and provide baseline summary statistics.

• HCUP Tools
  • Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR)
    Groups ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into over 530 clinical categories
  • Chronic Condition Indicator (CCI) for ICD-10-CM
    Identifies diagnoses as chronic conditions
  • Elixhauser Comorbidity Software for ICD-10-CM
    Identifies secondary diagnoses as comorbidities
• HCUP Fast Stats provides easy access to the latest HCUP-based statistics for specific healthcare information topics.
• MEPS summary tables provide frequently used estimates on household medical utilization and expenditures, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health insurance coverage, access to care and satisfaction with care, medical conditions, and prescribed medicine purchases.

Research and Analyses

AHRQ's research and analyses include new findings, publications, and research notes that may be of interest to those responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The Agency disseminates statistical briefs and working papers based on HCUP and MEPS data. Researchers also can learn more about publications using HCUP or MEPS.

• Influenza Vaccination Prevalence Among Adults With Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19, MEPS Research Findings #48
• COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations in Nine States, by Race/Ethnicity, 2020, HCUP Statistical Brief #272 (PDF, 591 KB)
• COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization Scenarios and Their Effects on Eligibility by Poverty Level, Race, and Ethnicity, MEPS Research Findings #46