With a resource the size of the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD), it is easy to presume that the possibilities for exploration are endless. In some senses, it is true that comprehending the potential combinations of data elements from over one billion claims is nearly impossible. However, the scale of Read more…
The Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) contains over 1.1 billion claims, with more added every month. These claims are submitted by commercial health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, voluntarily submitted Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and mandated non-ERISA self-insured employer plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS). The CO APCD Read more…
The Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) contains over 1.1 billion claims, with more added every month. These claims are submitted by commercial health insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage, voluntarily submitted Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and mandated non-ERISA self-insured employer plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS). The CO APCD Read more…
When designing how the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) was to be built and administered, protecting health information was the highest priority. Colorado statute CRS 25.5-1-204 requires the CO APCD to “[p]rotect patient privacy in compliance with state and federal medical privacy laws while preserving the ability to analyze data Read more…
A previous query defined the different nuances encompassed under the term “data quality” to help shed light on the myriad factors that can impact the contents of an output from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). This piece will outline some baseline expectations for users who are new to claims Read more…
In 2010, the Colorado General Assembly saw the opportunities an immense repository of data such as the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) could afford – they also saw the possibilities for exploitation and built safeguards into the use of the CO APCD. When drafting the legislation that shaped the database, Read more…
Once someone has decided to use a non-public data set from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD), it is crucial that they request the right information to answer their questions. While that sounds like a relatively straight-forward determination, in many cases it is not. The Data Element Request Form, Read more…
As discussed in a previous Query, individuals or organizations can request non-public data releases from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) to help answer questions or solve particular problems around health care in Colorado. Today, we continue exploring the steps requestors must take to apply for a release Read more…
Claims data is very different than other types of data typically encountered by actuaries, accountants, analysts, and researchers. If not prepared for the unique challenges it presents, it is easy to conclude that something is wrong with a data set. The phrase “data quality” is frequently used as a catch-all Read more…
The CO APCD is a state-legislated, secure health care claims database compliant with all federal privacy and antitrust laws. It is the only claims repository in the state that represents the vast majority of insured lives in Colorado, with more than ten years of data from commercial health insurance payers, Read more…