Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
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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
Moderate Risk
An updated data release schedule for 2026 has yet to be published. Data anticipated for publication in November 2025 has yet to be released.
Data Quality
No Known Issue
HHS proposed a number of changes on December 20, 2025, as seen in the Federal Register Notice, including removing questions on birth control, gender, aspirin use, and counseling; removing the Diabetes Care Supplement; and not implementing the planned Burdens and Economic Impacts of Medical Care Self-Administered Questionnaire. Additional changes include adding questions about use of sleep medication, trouble getting to sleep, screen time, use of wearable devices, self-assessed diet quality, fruit and vegetable consumption, meals eaten away from home, former smoking, and weight loss attempts. There are also proposed changes to a number of other questions.
Statutory Context
High Risk
According to AHRQ, "The study is conducted under the authority of Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), and Section 8(b) and Section 913 of the Public Health Service Act (Title 42, U.S.C., Section 299b-2)."
Staffing and Funding
Policy
High Risk
HHS proposed a number of changes on December 20, 2025, as seen in the Federal Register Notice, including removing questions on birth control and gender.
Last updated: 2026-01-28
| Primary URL | https://www.meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/ |
|---|
Details
| OMB Control Number | 0935-0118 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 202406-0935-002 | Expiring Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Household and Medical Provider Components | HHS/AHRQ | Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |