Overview
Dataset Summary
The SEER-Medicare Linked Database links data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registries with Medicare administrative claims for covered beneficiaries.
This linkage allows researchers to examine longitudinal patterns of cancer care, treatment, healthcare utilization, and costs among Medicare beneficiaries with cancer. The combined dataset includes detailed tumor characteristics from SEER along with inpatient, outpatient, physician, and prescription claims from Medicare, making it a powerful resource for health services and outcomes research in oncology.
Caveats
- Requires a formal application, Data Use Agreement (DUA), and extensive review process.
- Data structure is complex and requires advanced programming expertise.
- Access fees can be substantial.
- Primarily includes Medicare beneficiaries (generally age 65+ or disabled), limiting generalizability to younger populations.
Examples of Outcomes Examined
- Healthcare utilization following cancer diagnosis
- Costs of cancer treatment and end-of-life care
Topic
Clinical Epidemiology, Geriatrics/Palliative Care, Quality and Outcomes
Resource Type
Dataset
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