Medicare data is an important tool to help states manage care for individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Key information about this population span the two programs, different providers, and potentially separate health plans, limiting states’ ability to get a full picture of and meet beneficiaries’ needs if they rely on Medicaid data alone.

A range of state stakeholders that work to develop and monitor programs for the dually eligible population can benefit from access to Medicare data. This brief, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies and ADvancing States, outlines opportunities for states to use Medicare data to achieve policy goals around improving care and reducing utilization and costs for their dually eligible populations. The brief also details information about data sources and other resources available to help obtain and analyze Medicare data.