Assessing the Usability of MAX 2008 Encounter Data for Comprehensive Managed Care

This article summarizes the availability, completeness, quality, and usability of the encounter data in the MAX file, derived from CMS’s Medicaid Statistical Information System, for enrollees in comprehensive managed care plans. It also gives specific information by state. Most states that have comprehensive managed care plans reported data to the other services, inpatient, and prescription drug files in 2008. Of these data, the majority are usable.