Can I figure out Medicare data without taking a training class?
Yes, but it will be very difficult due in part to data limitations that impact each year differently. Working with experienced researchers and taking courses that provide hands-on introductions to computing, data processing, and quality checking (for example) will give you a much better feel for what’s available, and the issues involved in working with CMS data than can be learned on your own. For a list of ResDAC’s training opportunities, go to the ResDAC training web page.
