HCUP-US Central Distributor

HCUP-US Central Distributor

What You Should Know About Purchasing HCUP Databases Online

The Database Catalog provides information on the availability and price of the HCUP databases by year. Both HCUP Nationwide and State-Specific Databases are available for purchase, however not all States make their data available through the HCUP Central Distributor. Supplemental files that augment information contained in the HCUP databases can also be ordered online. In addition to taking the DUA training, all purchasers and users of HCUP data are required to sign an HCUP DUA and Indemnification Clause. Both will be provided after submitting your order online and sent to you via email. If you have questions about purchasing HCUP databases online or obtaining HCUP supplemental files, review the Frequently Asked Questions page of the ordering Web site or contact the HCUP Central Distributor. Email: HCUPDistributor@ahrq.gov Phone (toll free): (866) 556-4287

HCUP Central Distributor

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) databases and supplemental files are available to purchase online through the HCUP Central Distributor.

To place your order, go to the ordering Web site.

1. Complete the Data Use Agreement (DUA) training, noting your certification code and completion date. This training is required of all purchasers and users of HCUP data and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.



2. Login or register for an account.



3. Create your profile under My Account.



4. Select databases from the Database Catalog.



5. Submit order.
   • Follow the check-out process from your shopping cart.
   • Payments by credit card, check, purchase order, or wire transfer are accepted.
   • Requests for State databases will require a brief Statement of Intended Use.



6. Complete order.
   • Send the signed DUA(s) and other documents listed on the "Thank You" page to the HCUP Central Distributor. (The documents will also be sent to your email address.) HCUP DUAs are available for Nationwide and State Databases.
   • Access your Invoice and documents any time under Order History in My Account.

Databases typically ship within 5-7 business days, once payment and all documents are received by the HCUP Central Distributor. State Databases take an additional 1-2 business days for AHRQ to review the Statement of Intended Use.

HCUP Databases Available for Purchase

HCUP's Nationwide and State-Specific Databases are available for purchase from the ordering Web site. Learn about these databases by visiting the Databases page or the links below.

Nationwide Databases

• Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS)
• Kids' Inpatient Database (KID)
• Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS)
• Availability of AHA Hospital Identifiers across States and Years

State Databases

• State Inpatient Databases (SID)
• State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD)
• State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD)
• Availability of HCUP Revisit Variables across States and Years

HCUP Supplemental Files

HCUP supplemental files are hospital-level or discharge-level files that augment the information contained in the HCUP databases. The Cost-to-Charge Ratio, Hospital Market Structure, and 1993-2002 NIS Supplemental Discharge-Level Files are available to HCUP data users free of charge and can be requested from the HCUP Central Distributor through the ordering Web site. Learn more about these files by visiting the Tools & Software page or the links below.

• American Hospital Association (AHA) Linkage Files
• Cost-to-Charge Ratio (CCR) Files
• Hospital Market Structure (HMS) Files
• 1993-2002 NIS Supplemental Discharge-Level Files

Revisit Analyses Files

HCUP also provides Supplemental Variables for revisit analyses. These variables are designed to facilitate analyses that need to track patients across time and hospital settings in the SID, SASD, and SEDD while adhering to strict privacy guidelines.

The storage of these variables varies by data year. Starting in 2009, the revisit variables are stored in the Core file of the SID, SASD, or SEDD. The State-specific databases that contain the revisit variables are indicated with an (R) in the Database Catalog of the ordering Web site.

For data years 2003-2008, the revisit variables can be obtained by submitting a completed request form (PDF file, 146 KB) to the HCUP Central Distributor.


Ordering Web site Alternative

If you are unable to use the ordering Web site, you may purchase HCUP databases and supplemental files by completing a hard copy application.