Services & Data Requests - How To Submit A Data Request


Steps in requesting data from PHC4:

  1. Review the data available, data descriptions, time periods, and file layouts under Data Available. Data fees are listed under Data Price Structure.

  2. Determine the nature of your request.
    • Inpatient and/or Ambulatory/Outpatient Procedure Data and/or Financial
    • Standard or Custom Data Request
    • Data Set (record-level) or Report (aggregated groupings)
    • Time Period
  3. Determine client classification. PHC4 has several client classifications for the purpose of purchasing data:
    • Commercial - any corporation, coalition, association, other organization or individual that requests data to resell or redistribute any of PHC4 data or the resultant analysis from the data for a profit. This can include using the data in software products or using the data in analysis for profitable consultation with clients. Examples of commercial clients include software vendors and healthcare and business consultants.
    • Non-Commercial - any corporation, coalition, association, other organization or individual that requests data to use internally for their own purposes and analysis. This can include, but is not limited to, hospitals and other health care providers, purchasers, insurers, and consumers.
    • Researcher - any university-based researcher who requests PHC4 data for the benefit of the healthcare system.
    • Government - any Pennsylvania state agency that requests data to use for government-related purposes.
    • Government Multi-use – any government agency, other than a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania state agency, that requests data for multiple research-related purposes including limited and restricted redistribution or reselling of data samples or in aggregate.
  4. Download and complete the applicable PHC4 Data Requests Application, as listed below.

    Return the completed application to the following address or email it to:

    Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
    Special Requests
    225 Market Street, Suite 400
    Harrisburg, PA 17101

  5. If you are requesting custom data, please submit a $75 non-refundable application fee with your application. The $75 deposit will be applied to the total cost of the request. Failure to include the $75 check with your application will delay the data request process. Please make checks out to the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council.

  6. PHC4 staff will review the request to determine if the data file can be prepared according to your specifications. If necessary, PHC4 will contact you and attempt to satisfy your request based on the availability of the data. Your request must then be approved by the Executive Director, and in some cases, the Council.

  7. A PHC4 analyst will produce the data file once it has been approved.

  8. A cost quote will be provided to the client and followed up with an invoice. Those requesting data are asked to wait until the invoice is received before sending payment.

  9. Completed data requests files will be shipped to clients after PHC4 receives full payment.

For more information contact Special Requests at .