Request for Analytic Data

The IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare Supplemental Databases


Requests to use MarketScan data for PhD Dissertations or funded Research Projects require additional approval from IBM Watson Health®. Researchers must pay pre negotiated license fees and complete a contract amendment.


Requests for access to an existing data set (such as 1% Sample on Sheps PE server) for faculty unfunded research, research staff or graduate students working on faculty projects

  1. Email to cer_si@schsr.unc.edu to request access
  2. MarketScan Data Use Agreement must be signed and submitted by email. Faculty sign as supervisor/sole user, students sign as users. This DUA must be updated annually in December.
  3. Note that use of the Pharmacoepi (PE Server) at Sheps requires completion of UNC ITS Security Training, CITI Training on research ethics, and formal agreement in the portal to the Sheps Center Rules of Behavior and Sheps Sanction Policy (instructions sent via email).

Requests for a Marketscan Data Extract

  1. Initial email to cer_si@schsr.unc.edu to formalize request. Email should include 1. a general description of your data needs, 2. a rough timeline of the work you are proposing 3. a short description of your project with your research aims.
  2. MarketScan Data Request Form – send to cer_si@schsr.unc.edu
  3. MarketScan Data Use Agreement must be signed and submitted by email. Faculty sign as supervisor/sole user, students sign as users. This DUA must be updated annually in December.
  4. Copy of IRB Approval
  5. Note that use of the Pharmacoepi (PE Server) at Sheps requires completion of UNC ITS Security Training, CITI Training on research ethics, and formal agreement in the portal to the Sheps Center Rules of Behavior and Sheps Sanction Policy (instructions sent via email).
  6. There is a minimum of three months required for an uncomplicated extract; more time is required for more complicated requests.