All eleven (1996-2006) MEPS/NHIS Link Files are included on one CD-ROM. The MEPS/NHIS Link Files CD is available by request only. The 2006 MEPS/NHIS Link File contains a cross-walk that will allow data users to merge the MEPS 2006 Full-Year Population Characteristics public use data file, HC-099, with the NHIS 2004/2005 person-level public use data files. In this linkage file, a record exists for each person in the HC-099 file. Sample persons in NHIS that do not link to any MEPS sample persons are not represented in the linkage file. Sample persons in the HC-099 file who do not link with the 2004 NHIS or 2005 NHIS respondent person sample have a value of 9999 for the NHIS link id. The HC-099 file covers calendar year 2006 and contains data from Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of the MEPS Panel 10 (which uses the 2004 NHIS as its sampling frame) combined with data from Rounds 1, 2, and 3 of the MEPS Panel 11 (which uses the 2005 NHIS as its sampling frame). Confidentiality forms must be filled out and submitted to AHRQ before this file can be obtained. See HC-NHIS Link File ordering instructions for more information on how to obtain this file. See HC-NHIS Link File ordering instructions for more information on how to obtain this file.
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