Power your analytics with HCCI

Researchers in the academic, government, and non-profit sectors, or teams that aim to do public, non-commercial research, may access the data. Contact the HCCI team at data@healthcostinstitute.org to learn more about eligibility.

Each application is subject to an extensive review process. Researchers must complete compliance documents before access to the virtual enclave is provisioned. A comprehensive outline of the application process and a link to access the online application form are available above.

See our most recent pricing guide here: 2026 HCCI Price Guide. HCCI offers access on a per-project basis. Team Access includes two seats in the enclave for a 12-month term, with options for additional seats available. Student Access includes one seat in the enclave for 12 months for students completing their dissertations, with renewal options based on academic enrollment.

HCCI’s employer-sponsored insurance claims dataset is de-identified. Therefore, we do not have any IRP requirements; however, you should consult with your organization’s IRB if you need approval.

One-year access is limited to the research project proposed in your application. However, you are welcome to draft your research proposal to accommodate multiple research questions (while maintaining a cohesive focus) and to publish results across multiple papers.

HCCI offers quarterly and one-year extensions. Email data@healthcostinstitute.org for more information.

Approved research teams have access to the entire commercial claims dataset via a secure virtual environment (enclave); we do not send physical data. HCCI does not provide access to the commercial dataset via direct data file transfer.

Each user is administered a soft RSA token that grants them access to the enclave through their computer. Users run their analyses inside this secure environment using a variety of available programs. All imports into and exports out of the enclave are reviewed; users are only permitted to export aggregated final datasets from the enclave.

HCCI does not send physical data. Approved research teams get access to our entire dataset within a secure virtual environment—this includes all years and all billion+ claims.

We do not have mortality data in the HCCI dataset, and we do not offer permission to link it.

Currently, our dataset lacks direct race/ethnicity identifiers, but we are exploring ways to add proxies for them. We would welcome your ideas about the most promising approaches to do so and are open to partnering with researchers and organizations on this incredibly important work.

No, the claims dataset only includes Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI) claims.

Use the NPI Data Import Request Form to send HCCI the data and a data dictionary for review, including any concerns related to deidentification. Once the file is approved, the import and encryption process can begin. View the form for more details and contact data@healthcostinstitute.org with questions.

See the Accellion Kiteworks Quick Start Guide for instructions on getting started. Users may export only aggregated final datasets from the enclave, and all exports must be reviewed to ensure compliance with the Masking Rules. Please note that the size, number, and complexity of the files determine how long the review process will take. Allow NORC 3 business days to begin their review, then contact them at DataEnclaveHelp (dataenclavehelp@norc.org) if you have any questions.

All work products using the HCCI claims data must be reviewed by the Data Integrity Committee. Submit any publications, presentations, and research that will be viewed by an external audience to HCCI using the DIC Submission Form at least 45 days in advance.

The Data Integrity Committee is made up of representatives from each organization that provides data to HCCI’s combined commercial claims dataset. The Committee is not a peer review group—their purview is limited to reviewing work products using the HCCI dataset for material misrepresentation of the data. Researchers can send work via the online DIC Submission Form. HCCI sends submissions to the DIC on the 15th and 30^th (or the next business day following, or February 28^th). Researchers must allow 45 days for this review process.

We do not permit project teams to import proprietary software (e.g., Milliman, Symmetry, PACE, or ACG) into the Enclave to group claims into corresponding clinical therapeutic categories, episodes of care, or other classifications. The Enclave technical specifications are not suited to run proprietary grouping software locally. Due to IT security controls, running proprietary software to group claims within the Vertica server is not permitted.