Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
Back to all collections
1 Expiring ICR
Summary
The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which began in 1996, is a set of large-scale surveys of families and individuals, their medical providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc.), and employers across the United States. MEPS collects data on the specific health services that Americans use, how frequently they use them, the cost of these services, and how they are paid for, as well as data on the cost, scope, and breadth of health insurance held by and available to U.S. workers.
| https://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/ | |
| Agency | HHS, AHRQ |
|---|---|
| Data Checkup | |
Historical Data Availability
No Known Issue
Future Data Availability
No Known Issue
Data Quality
High Risk
In May 2026, the ICR submission eliminated questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and birth control in response to Executive Order 14168 and Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities.
Statutory Context
No Known Issue
42 U.S.C. ยง 299b-2 requires AHRQ to conduct a nationally representative survey that collects data on the cost, use, access to, and quality of health care, including health care expenditures, insurance coverage, payment sources, and patient experiences for the U.S. population.
Staffing and Funding
High Risk
From FY2024 to FY2026, AHRQ lost about 70% of its workforce. The FY2027 House Committee Appropriations bill slashes funding and eliminates AHRQ.
Policy
High Risk
The FY27 President's Budget and House Committee Appropriations bill proposes the elimination of the AHRQ, creating uncertainty about the agency's future operations. In May 2026, the ICR submission eliminated questions on sexual orientation, gender identity, and birth control in response to Executive Order 14168 and Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) priorities.
Last updated: 2026-08-13
| Primary URL | https://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/ |
|---|
Details
| OMB Control Numbers | 0935-0118 , 0935-0110 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorizing Statutes | 42 USC 299 | |||
| Related ICRs |
| Reference Number | Title | Agency | Status | Request Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202603-0935-001 | Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Household and Medical Provider Components | HHS/AHRQ | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202506-0935-001 | Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) | HHS/AHRQ | Received in OIRA | Extension without change of a currently approved collection |
| 202406-0935-002 | Expiring Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Household and Medical Provider Components | HHS/AHRQ | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |
| 202301-0935-001 | Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) | HHS/AHRQ | Historical Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |