National Cancer Institute
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Health Services & Economics Branch
Cancer Control and Population Sciences

SEER-Medicare: Medicare Enrollment & Claims Data

Medicare is the federally funded program that provides health insurance for the elderly, persons with end-stage renal disease, and some disabled. For persons age 65 and over, 97 percent are eligible for Medicare. Almost all Medicare beneficiaries have Part A coverage that includes hospital, skilled-nursing facility, hospice and some home health care. 96 percent of elderly Part A beneficiaries choose to pay a monthly premium to enroll in Part B of Medicare that covers physician and outpatient services. Medicare Part C refers to HMO enrollment. While some Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in HMOs, most have fee-for-service (FFS) coverage. In 2006, Medicare initiated Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage for beneficiaries who purchase the benefit. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that approximately 60% of beneficiaries have Part D coverage.

Information about Medicare eligibility and enrollment is available for all persons included in the SEER-Medicare data (both cancer and non-cancer cases). Medicare claims (bills) are available only for persons with FFS coverage. For more information about Medicare data, please see the Research Data Assistance Center Web siteExternal Web Site Policy.


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Last modified:
22 Jan 2013
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