Core Data Set: Provider to patient zip codes

[ftrotter]

DocGraph considers this to be a core missing data set:

Provide the zip codes for the patients that providers see... aggregated by NPI.

To fully protect patient privacy I would expect a higher aggregation that typical.. say 50 patients per zip code or something like.

The intent is to get some basic idea of where a provider practices.

-FT

[ftrotter]

Thoughts @cornstein? Can you endorse?

[marks]

+1

[dportnoy]

@ftrotter, could you specify all of the fields needed in this dataset.

[cornstein]

FWIW, I think that you could draw the following fields: NPI, Patient zip on record, count -- and this would be unique patients within a calendar year, using zip at a single point in time (and note that point in time). I actually don't think you need to redact at 50. I think the current CMS threshold of 11 should work just fine.

[cornstein]

Furthermore, I think this could potentially help CMS and HHS flag providers who appear to have moved but didn't update their NPI numbers. If a provider lists a practice address as TX but all their patients come from Florida, it may be worth asking if the provider has moved.

[dportnoy]

@cornstein, thanks! @ftrotter, anything to add?

[dportnoy]

Specifications documented here: http://hhs.ddod.us/wiki/Use_Case_39

[betshsu]

@ftrotter We wanted to check in again on the specifications around this request, or if you have already submitted a FOIA request for this data. Would the fields suggested by cornstein meet your needs? Thanks.