Description

For all persons, RXEXPMC captures the sum of direct payments made during the year by Medicare for prescribed medications. Payments for over-the-counter drugs and indirect payments not related to specific medical events, such as Medicaid Disproportionate Share and Medicare Direct Medical Education subsidies, are not included in this amount. For more information on how MEPS collects information about prescription medications, please refer to our user note on Collection of Information about Prescription Medications.

Related variables
Variables related to total annual prescription medication expenditures by source of payment are also available. Please refer to our user note on expenditures for a list of these variables.

RXEXPMC is a 6-digit numeric variable.

Comparability

This variable is completely comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 1996-2022

Weights

• 1996-2022 : PERWEIGHT

Flags