MCDB Data Release
The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) collects privately insured data (claims and membership), known as the Medical Care Data Base (MCDB), on a quarterly basis from life and health insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), third-party administrators (TPAs), and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), who are licensed to do business in Maryland. The MCDB also includes Medicaid and Medicare.
The MCDB is Maryland’s All Payer Claims Database. The MCDB maintenance is governed by COMAR 10.25.06; MCDB data release is governed by COMAR 10.25.05.
Applying for MCDB Data
This page outlines the process for applying for and acquiring MCDB data.
Available Data Files
The Standard Analytic File (SAF), which is available for release, contains the following:
- Member Eligibility
- Professional Services Claims
- Institutional Services Claims
- Pharmacy Claims
Currently, data files for 2010 - 2024 are available.
Download the data dictionary for the Standard Analytic File (SAF) for all years.
View the row counts and file sizes for each of the Standard Analytical Files: Eligibility, Professional, Institutional, and Pharmacy.
Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Ruling
Starting in 2015, the Medical Care Data Base (MCDB) excludes private plan data for self-insured ERISA due to the Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual Supreme Court ruling. The SAF contains only privately fully insured and self-insured non-ERISA health insurance plans for Maryland and Non-Maryland residents.
The MCDB comprises about 90-95% of the privately fully insured market, about 25%-30% of the self-insured market, and 0% of the Federal Employee Program (post-Gobeille, primarily non-ERISA).
Access to Medicaid Managed Care Data
Applications for access to Medicaid Managed Care data for studies comparing the privately insured to Medicaid Managed Care patients can be submitted but require separate approval from the Maryland Medicaid Administration. The fields available on the Medicaid MCO data sets have been aligned with MCDB fields to the extent possible.
Fees
The fees for MCDB data and related applications, effective June 18, 2022, are as follows:
- Application Fee: An applicant requesting MCDB data must pay a non-refundable application fee of $200.00 with the completed application.
- Support/Production Fees: Additional fees associated with the preparation of a custom data set may be applied by MHCC.
- MCDB Data Fees:
- Governmental Entities and Non-Profit/Academic Organizations: $3000/data file/year
- For-Profit Organizations: $5000/data file/year
- MCDB Data Reuse Fees:
- Governmental Entities and Non-Profit/Academic Organizations: $1000/data file/year
- For-Profit Organizations: $2000/data file/year
Per-Year Fees Based on the Purchase of All Data Files
| Governmental Entities Non-Profit/Academic Applicants | For-Profit/All Other Applicants | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Tier | Fee1 | All Data Files | All Data Files |
| 1 | Tier One | 100% | $12,000 | $20,000 |
| 2 | Tier One | 100% | $12,000 | $20,000 |
| 3 | Tier Two | 75% | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| 4 | Tier Two | 75% | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| 5+ | Tier Three | 50% | $6,000 | $10,000 |
1A discounted fee only applies to applicants purchasing all data files for multiple consecutive years.
Fee Waivers & Calculator
- In accordance with COMAR 10.25.05.12, applicants may qualify for a full or partial fee waiver.
- You can use the MCDB Data Fees Calculator to get an estimate of the cost of data you are requesting.
Data Requests
- Instructions for Governmental Applicants [NEEDS LINK]
- Instructions for Nongovernmental Applicants [NEEDS LINK]
Current Applications
| Applicant | Project Title | Fees | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christine Yee, Boston University/PEPReC | Comparing Utilization, Outcomes, and Choice Between VHA and non-VHA Health Care Systems |
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