Frequently Asked Questions

Per the state drug utilization data table, the "Dataset Views" dropdown selections available are:

• State: State-specific data at the NDC-11 level, for a quarter/year.
• Full Dataset (States + National Totals): A compilation of all the individual state utilization data (50 states plus Washington D.C.) and the National Totals at the NDC-11 level, for a selected year.
• All States: Includes data for all states but does not include the National Totals
• National Totals: Data are aggregated for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. at the NDC-11 level, for a quarter/year.

Since all of the states are combined in the National Totals, the state abbreviation will show on the "Annual State Detail" with a state abbreviation of "XX".

Users can also generate his or her own views of the dataset on data.medicaid.gov.

FAQ ID:91786

You are likely running into a limitation of the program you are trying to use to analyze the data. Microsoft Excel allows 1,048,576 rows of data and many of our datasets exceed this limit.

We recommend users not use Excel for large datasets but instead use another application that can work with datasets of large size (e.g. Microsoft Access).

FAQ ID:91801

Since all of the states are combined in the National Totals, the state abbreviation will show on the "National Totals" and "Annual State Detail" option as "XX".

See Also:

• What are the data field descriptions for the State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD)?

FAQ ID:91811

As CMS is obligated by the Federal Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552a and the HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 C.F.R Parts 160 and 164, to protect the privacy of individual beneficiaries and other persons, all direct identifiers have been removed and data that are less than eleven (11) counts are suppressed. An asterisk (*) notes suppressed data. CMS applies counter or secondary suppression in cases where only one prescription is suppressed for primary reasons, e.g. one prescription in a state. Also, if one sub-group (e.g. number of prescription) is suppressed, then the other sub-group is suppressed.

See Also:

• What fields changed when CMS moved the State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD) to data.medicaid.gov?
• What are the data field descriptions for the State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD)?
• Is the redacted State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD) available to the public?

FAQ ID:91831

No. In accordance with federal laws, State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD) that has been suppressed is not available for public consumption.  As CMS is obligated by the Federal Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552a and the HIPAA Privacy Rule, 45 C.F.R Parts 160 and 164, to protect the privacy of individual beneficiaries and other persons, all direct identifiers have been removed and data that are less than eleven (11) counts are suppressed. A checkmark in the "Suppression Used" column notes suppressed data. CMS applies counter or secondary suppression in cases where only one prescription is suppressed for primary reasons, (e.g., one prescription in a state). Also, if one sub-group (e.g., number of prescriptions) is suppressed, then the other sub-group is suppressed.

FAQ ID:91856

If the data arrives late, it may miss the quarterly posting. However, it will be included in the next quarter's web posting.

FAQ ID:91916

For current versions of MDRP File Formats/Data Definitions, please refer to: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/prescription-drugs/medicaid-drug-rebate-program/medicaid-drug-rebate-program-mdrp-file-formats-data-definitions-and-medicaid-drug-programs-mdp-email-communications/index.html

See Also:

• What fields changed when CMS moved the State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD) to data.medicaid.gov?
• Is the redacted State Drug Utilization Data (SDUD) available to the public?

FAQ ID:91956

A State may withdraw a submission package once it has been submitted to CMS. Withdrawing a submission package takes it out of contention and the submission package cannot be edited or resubmitted. Log in as State Point of Contact, and select the "Records" tab. Then select "Submission Packages" for your State. Next, select the link to the submission package you wish to withdraw. In the left panel, select "Related Actions". Next, select "Withdraw Submission Package". Then select the green button labeled "Withdraw Submission Package". A box will pop up, select "Yes". Once the submission package is withdrawn, you will be redirected to the Records screen. A yellow notification will appear briefly at the top of the page indicating "Action Completed Successfully".

FAQ ID:92891

After the State Editor has forwarded the submission package to the State Point of Contact for Reviewing, the State Point of contact should log into MACPro. Then go to the "Records" tab and select "Submission Packages" for your state. Select the submission package you wish for CMS to view. In the left panel, select "Related Actions". Next, select "Allow CMS to View Screen". On the Allow CMS to View Screen page, select "Yes" under Visibility Setting, and then select the green "Update Visibility" button in the bottom right corner.

Note: Selecting this option will permit the CMS review team to see the screens in this submission package as they are now. It does not cause the package to be submitted as Draft or Official, and does not start a CMS review clock. Validation of the screens is not required. Notify your CMS contact that viewing is available and who you wish to see it; MACPro does not notify CMS staff. You can deselect this option at any time.

FAQ ID:92896

Refer to the table below.

FAQ ID:92901