Researchers undertaking economic analysis have a variety of datasets to choose from. The two most commonly used encounter-level cost datasets are the Managerial Cost Accounting System (MCA; formerly the Decision Support System (DSS)), and the HERC average cost datasets. Most cost datasets can be found within VHA’s Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) – a national data repository from VHA clinical and administrative systems.
Researchers will often need to access utilization data in combination with cost data. Here, we provide a table with links to commonly used data sources for VA cost and utilization. Information about additional data sources can be found on the VHA Data Portal: http://vaww.vhadataportal.med.va.gov/DataSources/DataSourcesOverview.aspx (VA intranet only).
Visit the VHA Data Portal for details about accessing these data for research or operations projects: http://vaww.vhadataportal.med.va.gov/DataAccess/DataAccessOverview.aspx (VA intranet only).
Types and Sources of VA Cost Data
| Source/Type | Inpatient | Outpatient | Pharmacy | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HERC Average Cost Data | X | X | ||
| MCA NDEs (excluding the ALBCC NDE) | X | X | X | |
| MCA ALBCC NDE | X | |||
| HERC’s MCA DISCH NDE | X | |||
| CDW Pharmacy Outpatient Domain | X | |||
| PBM Rx | X | |||
| OMOP | X | X | Map to CDW | |
| PAID | X | |||
| VA Wage Index | X |
Common Types and Sources of VA Utilization Data
| Source/type | Inpatient | Outpatient | Pharmacy | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDW Data Domains | X | X | X | X |
| OMOP | X | X | X | X |
| MedSAS | X | X |
*Information about VA utilization data sources is available on the VHA Data Portal: http://vaww.vhadataportal.med.va.gov/DataSources/DataSourcesOverview.aspx (VA intranet only).
Common Types and Sources of Cost Data for Healthcare Outside VA Hospitals
| Source/type | Inpatient | Outpatient | Pharmacy | Labor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA Community Care Data | X | X | * | |
| DaVINCI Cost Data | X | X | X | X |
| Medicare/Medicaid | X | X | X | X |
| Self-Report** |
*In general, VA requires veterans to get their medications from VA. As part of the VA Community Care program, Veterans can receive short-term (less than 14 day) urgent prescriptions in the community, but long-term prescriptions must be filled by VA.
**Information on non-VA services use may be obtained directly from the participant. Visit the Non-VA data page for some pointers when designing self-report instruments.
Visit the VHA Data Portal for a complete list of data sources available to VA data users: http://vaww.vhadataportal.med.va.gov/DataSources/DataSourcesOverview.aspx (VA intranet only).
Last updated: May 4, 2023
