Now Available: Updated National Database of Medicare Providers

A database used by researchers to identify Medicare providers and their affiliations with medical practices has been updated to include information from 2016. The Medicare Data on Provider Practice and Specialty file, which covers the years 2009 to 2016, provides information on more than 640,000 physicians and 430,000 non-physician clinicians. Providers and their practices are identified based on National Provider Identifier numbers and tax identification numbers. As of this year, the database has information on where each provider practices (e.g., office or inpatient hospital). Researchers may apply for a data use agreement to obtain copies of the file. Access more information or contact pete.welch@hhs.gov or alshadye.yemane@cms.hhs.gov