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Multistate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Medicaid Dataset (MEMD): A Linked Dataset for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research

Multistate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Medicaid Dataset (MEMD): A Linked Dataset for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Agency
  • The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation’s Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy (ASPE-BHDAP)
Start Date
  • March 29, 2021
OS-PCORTF Strategic Plan Alignment

  • Primary: Goal 2. Data Standards and Linkages for Longitudinal Research

  • Secondary: Goal 4. Person-Centeredness

 

STATUS: Completed Project

BACKGROUND

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation’s Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy (ASPE-BHDAP) worked with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to develop the Multistate EMS and Medicaid Dataset (MEMD). This dataset aimed to create new capabilities to conduct patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) on Medicaid beneficiaries who engage with EMS.

There is currently no data source that enables research on the health outcomes of Medicaid beneficiaries after their EMS encounter. Medicaid claims data generally exclude a substantial portion of EMS encounters because of inadequate billing infrastructure and coverage limitations that prevent reimbursement for services. The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the need for PCOR on EMS patients given the major disruptions to acute care delivery systems, shifting EMS utilization and treatment trends, and variation in public health emergency-related flexibilities to Medicaid coverage policies.

PROJECT PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES

This project aimed to fill the data infrastructure gap by:

  • Developing MEMD, a linked dataset of EMS electronic patient care reports and Medicaid claims data from up to five states for the calendar years 2018 to 2020.
  • Designing and conducting analyses using MEMD, focusing on individuals who experience drug overdoses and other behavioral health emergencies.
  • Making MEMD available for public use, creating technical assistance materials, and developing sustainability plans.

KEY IMPACTS

Providing More Relevant, Comprehensive Data: Engaging states to link Medicaid data

The project team engaged two states, Washington and Utah, to gather state Medicaid data. Linking this state data would enable researchers to longitudinally analyze the relationship between EMS provision and health outcomes among Medicaid beneficiaries.

 

 Strengthened interagency partnerships: Partnering with the NHTSA

ASPE partnered with the NHTSA and incorporated the project activities into NHTSA’s existing contract with the National EMS Information System Technical Assistance Center (NEMSIS TAC) at the University of Utah.

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

Project Final Report. This final report includes background about the project’s focus area, an overview of progress made on the project, and a discussion of challenges the project team faced.