The information on this webpage will assist you in ordering, purchasing, and re-using HCUP databases, including data applications, requesting complementary databases, submitting data re-use and data sharing requests.

Keep in Mind

• Information about all HCUP databases is found on the HCUP-US Databases page. The Research Tools page (bottom of the page) provides information about available supplemental files that may be provided with the databases.

• Not all HCUP data organizations make their State-level data available through the HCUP Central Distributor, and not all data elements are available from every State. Details are provided under Availability of HCUP Databases Across States and Years.

• Information on the year-by-year pricing and availability of HCUP databases and applicable supplemental files is included in a separate Database Catalog Excel file with the Application Kits for purchasing the HCUP Nationwide and State Databases.

• Participating data organizations set the price of their data. Some data organizations offer reduced pricing for AHRQ grantees, students, and/or non-profit organizations. Refer to the Application Kits below for pricing.

• During the transition, all HCUP databases and Supplemental Files are shipped via UPS.

Get the Documents You Need for HCUP Central Distributor Requests

• New purchases of HCUP databases

  • HCUP Nationwide Databases
    • Application kit (PDF, 555 KB)
    • Database catalog (Excel, 57 KB)
  • HCUP State Databases
    • Application kit (PDF, 600 KB)
    • Database catalog (Excel, 141 KB)

• Requests related to previously purchased HCUP databases

  • Re-use request of HCUP databases (PDF, 348 KB): Request re-use of HCUP State Databases for a purpose other than that originally approved, or because concrete projects emerged from approved exploratory work. You must submit a "Data Re-Use Request" for review and approval by AHRQ before work may begin on the new project. You must be the current custodian of the HCUP data to submit a re-use request.

  • Transfer Custody of HCUP Data (PDF, 383 KB): Transfer data custodianship of HCUP databases from one person to another. Please remember that individuals, not entities, are responsible for the use and security of the HCUP data, so the data purchaser remains responsible for any use or potential misuse unless and until custody is formally transferred to another individual.

  • Additional HCUP Data Use Agreements (DUAs) (PDF, 421 KB). Collaborators or additional data users (other than the data custodian) must take HCUP data use training, sign and submit agreements to use previously purchased HCUP databases.

Submit completed documents by email to hcup@ahrq.gov. If an alternative option for submission is needed, please contact HCUP User Support at hcup@ahrq.gov.

Learn About HCUP Training

Complete the HCUP Data Use Agreement (DUA) training course. This training is required of all purchasers and all individuals with access to HCUP data, and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Make note of your certification code and completion date for proof of training, which is required when placing an order for HCUP data or submitting HCUP Data Use Agreements.

Learn About HCUP Data

HCUP's Nationwide and State-Specific Databases are available for purchase through the HCUP Central Distributor. Learn about these databases by visiting the Databases page or the links below.

Nationwide Databases

Browse the Database Catalog for Nationwide Databases (Excel, 57 KB) for availability and pricing, or learn more about each database using the links below.

Information related to this feature can be found in the Purchasing FAQs.

National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS)

Kids' Inpatient Database (KID)

Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample (NASS)

Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS)

Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD)

State Databases

Not all HCUP-Partners make their State data available. Participating data organizations set the price of their data. Browse the Database Catalog for State Databases (Excel, 142 KB) for availability and pricing, or learn more about each database using the links below.

State Inpatient Databases (SID)

State Ambulatory Surgery Databases (SASD)

State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD)

Availability of HCUP Databases Across States and Years

Availability of HCUP Revisit Variables Across States and Years

Availability of AHA Hospital Identifiers across States and Years

HCUP Supplemental Files

HCUP supplemental files are hospital-level or discharge-level files that augment the information contained in the HCUP databases. The Cost-to-Charge Ratio, Hospital Market Structure, and 1993-2002 NIS Supplemental Discharge-Level Files are available to HCUP data purchasers free of charge. Learn more about these files by visiting the Research Tools page or the links below.

American Hospital Association (AHA) Linkage Files

Cost-to-Charge Ratio (CCR) Files

Hospital Market Structure (HMS) Files

1993-2002 NIS Supplemental Discharge-Level Files

Revisit Analyses Files

HCUP also provides Supplemental Variables for Revisit Analyses. These variables are designed to facilitate analyses that need to track patients across time and hospital settings in the SID, SASD, and SEDD while adhering to strict privacy guidelines.

The storage of these variables varies by data year. Starting with the 2009 data, the revisit variables are stored in the Core file of the SID, SASD, or SEDD. The State Databases that contain the revisit variables are indicated with an (R) in the Database Catalog for State Databases (Excel, 142 KB).

For data years 2003-2008, the revisit variables are provided as a separate file with the HCUP SID, SASD, and SEDD. If the HCUP State databases were purchased prior to the release of the Revisit Files, then these supplemental files can be obtained free of charge.

If you have questions, please contact HCUP User Support:

Email: hcup@ahrq.gov
Phone: 866-290-HCUP (4287) (toll free)