Description

MEPSEVNTID uniquely identifies conditions across MEPS panels. MEPSEVNTID is created for 1996-2017 by combining PANELE, EVNTID, and a 2-digit event type number ("03" for prescribed medicines, "02" for other medical expenses, and "01" for all other event types). IPUMS MEPS staff create MEPSEVNTID to provide a single, universal linking key for MEPS conditions.

Beginning in 2018, AHRQ modified the identifiers DUIDE and DUPERSIDE (which combines DUID with PID) on the original MEPS data files to append information about PANEL to the first two columns. AHRQ also added a 2-digit event type number beginning in 2018. MEPSEVNTID is the same as EVNTID for 2018 forward.

MEPSEVNTID is on the event record (see RECTYPE for more details on the different record types in IPUMS MEPS). Variables offered on the event record through IPUMS MEPS are derived from the dental visits, other medical expenses, hospital inpatient stays, emergency room visits, outpatient visits, office-based medical provider visits, and home health event files provided by AHRQ. Please see our overview of the event, medical conditions, and prescribed medicines variables, including how those variables are offered through IPUMS MEPS, and general considerations to keep in mind when conducting analyses using these variables.

MEPSEVNTID is a 16-character string variable.

Comparability

This variable is completely comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 1996-2021

Weights

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

Flags