MHOS - sporedata/researchdesigneR GitHub Wiki

General description

The Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) is a longitudinal survey that aims to gather valid, clinically meaningful and reliable data to enhance the understanding of cancer patient and survivor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of cancer patients and survivors enrolled in Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs). Since 1998, the MHOS has administered a baseline survey to a new cohort of Medicare beneficiaries each year, with each cohort resurveyed in two years. MHOS is also connected to SEER-Medicare.The linked data resource enables investigators to systematically investigate HRQOL issues in this Medicare population, both for individuals diagnosed with cancer and those who are cancer-free. Additionally, it assists beneficiaries make informed health care decisions, improves the science of functional health outcomes measurement, and the monitoring health plan performance.

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS) is a linked research dataset designed to improve the understanding of the HRQOL of cancer patients and survivors enrolled in Medicare health plans. SEER-MHOS is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Variable categories

  • Health-related quality of life
  • Activities of daily living
  • Effectiveness of care.
  • Self-reported socioeconomic, demographic, co-morbidity, race/ethnicity
  • Cancer site, stage, mortality
  • Prescription drug claims for eligible enrollees

Linkage to other datasets

SEER-MHOS is linked to Medicare Data through the collaborative effort of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the SEER registries, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

  • Cancer Registry Data
  • Medicare Advantage Enrollment Data
  • Part D Enrollment and Claims Data

Limitations

  • The SEER-MHOS data are obtained from a sample of beneficiaries in managed care; therefore, currently the data cannot be linked to Medicare Claims from Medicare fee for service (FFS) plans.
  • The SEER-MHOS data contain only self-reported comorbidities.
  • The entire process to receive data after the proposal is completed and approved NCI and SEER usually takes from three to four months.

Related publications

SporeData data dictionaries