CMS is pleased to announce the availability of updated 2021 Medicare Advantage (Part C) Encounter data. In June 2023, CMS released a “Preliminary” version of the 2021 Medicare Advantage (MA) Encounter RIFs to give researchers earlier access to Encounter data for that service year. The Preliminary 2021 RIF data was not fully mature because Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) were still submitting encounter records for that service year to CMS. Today's 2021 MA Encounter research file release contains fully mature data, which includes at least 12 months of runout for each service month.
These files were created from data submitted to CMS by Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) for services provided to beneficiaries under the Medicare Part C benefit during calendar year 2021. The MA Encounter files include data for six (6) settings: Inpatient (IP), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Home Health (HH), Institutional Outpatient (OP), Carrier and Durable Medical Equipment (DME). An MA Encounter Data User Guide, providing guidance on the use of the files, is available.