My client received an email from the U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau with a Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. I’ve never heard of this and am not sure what to tell the client. Is it optional? Required? What is involved?
The survey is legitimate. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Census Bureau. Responding to the survey is voluntary and there is no penalty for not answering the questions. If your client does not complete the survey online, they can expect to be called and interviewed over the phone.
The survey collects data to measure state and national health insurance spending and to help inform proposed health care reform measures. The content of the survey varies depending on the entity type, but it generally asks about plan benefits, premiums, employer contributions, and general questions about employee demographics.
If you or your client wants more information about the survey, they can visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/meps/about/faq.html.