Programming Support for Utilization and Cost Studies Using the SEER-Medicare Database

This project provides programming support for research projects involving the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. The SEER-Medicare database has been in existence since 1991 and is the collaborative effort of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the SEER registries, and CMS to create a large population-based source of information for cancer-related epidemiologic and health services research. The linked database combines clinical data on incident cancer cases from SEER with Medicare claims and enrollment information. Investigators from both CMS and NCI use SEER-Medicare for studies of patterns and costs of cancer care. The purpose of this contract is to provide programming support for such studies through the creation of analytic files and development of statistical programs. CMS and NCI are both providing funds for this effort.