Electronically available administrative data are increasingly used by publi
c health researchers and planners. The validity of the data source has been
established, and its strengths and weaknesses relative to data abstracted
from medical records and obtained via survey are documented. Administrative
data are available from a variety of state, federal, and private sources a
nd can, in many cases, be combined. As a tool for planning and surveillance
, administrative data show great promise: They contain consistent elements,
are available in a timely manner, and provide information about large numb
ers of individuals. Because they are available in an electronic format, the
y an relatively inexpensive to obtain and use. In the United States, howeve
r, there is no administrative data set covering the entire population. Alth
ough Medicare provides health care for an estimated 96% of the elderly, age
65 years and older, there is no comparable source for those under 65.