SEER-Medicare Linked Database
Description
The SEER-Medicare data reflect the linkage of two large population-based sources of data that
provide detailed information about Medicare beneficiaries with cancer. The data come from the
Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries that collect
clinical, demographic and cause of death information for persons with cancer and the Medicare
claims for covered health care services from the time of a person's Medicare eligibility until
death.
The linkage of these two data sources results in a unique population-based source of information
that can be used for an array of epidemiological and health services research. For example,
investigators using this combined dataset have conducted studies on patterns of care for persons
with cancer before a cancer diagnosis, over the period of initial diagnosis and treatment, and
during long-term follow-up. Investigators have also examined the use of cancer tests and
procedures and the costs of cancer treatment.
Key Considerations
- SEER-Medicare data is project-specific and cannot be reused. It must be purchased for each project.
- Files available for purchase, by year
- Number of Cases for Selected Cancers
- Manuscripts must be approved by the NCI before submission.
- Measures that are limited or not available in the data
Governance
- Instructions for applying to use data and for obtaining data
- Proposal review process
- Requirements following receipt of data
- Data cost calculator (exclusive of DataShare fees)