Description

For all event-medication-round link records, DUPERSIDK is an AHRQ-generated identifier created by combining DUIDK and PIDK. From 1996-2017, DUPERSIDK uniquely identifies records within a panel. To uniquely identify records across all MEPS panels, please see the variable description for MEPSIDK. Beginning in 2018, DUPERSIDK uniquely identifies records across panels due to changes in the construction of DUIDK to add PANELK to the first two digits of the DUIDK identifier.

Users should note that beginning in 2021, AHRQ discontinued the public use version of the RXLK file, which contained all K RECTYPE variables. AHRQ determined that the data in the RXLK file are not useful for studies of prescriber behavior because so few drugs link to prescribers. IPUMS MEPS continues to offer the RXLK variables for the 1996-2020 samples. Users interested in the RXLK variables for the 2021-forward samples can refer to AHRQ's webpage on procedures to access restricted variables in a data center.

From 1996-2017, DUPERSIDK is an 8-digit numeric variable. Beginning in 2018, DUPERSIDK is a 10-digit numeric variable.

Comparability

From 1996-2017, DUPERSIDK is 8 digits wide and uniquely identifies records within a MEPS panel. Beginning in 2018, DUPERSIDK is 10 digits wide due to the increased width of DUIDK and uniquely identifies records across MEPS.

Universe

Availability

• 1996-2020

Weights

• No weights are available for this variable. Please refer to DUPERSIDK for more information.

Flags