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pdf2026 MCBS Community Questionnaire
Variable Name
MR Screen Name
Question Type
KNQ - BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE
Question Text/Description
Code List
Routing
(01) CONTINUE
(-7) Empty
KN1 - KNOWMC
(01) VERY EASY
(02) SOMEWHAT EASY
(03) SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT
(04) VERY DIFFICULT
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN2 - KCARKNOW
(01) JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW
(02) MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
(03) SOME OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
(04) A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
(05) ALMOST NONE OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN25B1 - KNINFMCR
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN25C - KNINTMCR KNCOVOPT
(01) VERY INTERESTED
(02) SOMEWHAT INTERESTED
(03) NOT VERY INTERESTED
(04) NOT AT ALL INTERESTED
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN25D-KNCOVOPT
(01) Very easy
(02) Somewhat easy
(03) Somewhat difficult
(04) Very difficult
(05) DOES NOT MAKE DECISIONS ON HEALTH
INSURANCE
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN25E-KNCOVREV
BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION NEEDS QUESTIONNAIRE SPECIFICATIONS
CRITERIA
INTTYPE=C001, C002, C004, C005, C006, C007
SPALIVE=1
SEASON=WINTER
SPPROXY=SP or PROXY
Other: N/A
PLACEMENT
Administer after CVQ.
KNINTR
KNINTRO
no entry
Now I have some questions that ask how you get information about the Medicare program [for (SP)]. Your answers
will help Medicare provide the information that people need.
Keep in mind that, generally, there are no right or wrong answers to these questions. Your opinions and
experiences are important to us.
SHOW CARD KN1
KNOWMC
KN1
code 1
Overall, how easy or difficult do you think the Medicare program is to understand?
[PROBE IF NECESSARY: Would you say it is very easy to understand, somewhat easy to understand, somewhat
difficult to understand, or very difficult to understand?]
SHOW CARD KN2
KCARKNOW
KN2
code 1
How much do you think you know about the Medicare program?
Do you know just about everything you need to know, most of what you need to know, some of what you need to
know, a little of what you need to know or almost none of what you need to know about the Medicare program?
KNINFMCR
KNINTMCR
KN25B1
KN25C
yes/no
code 1
In the past year, have you tried to find any information [for (SP)] about Medicare?
SHOW CARD KN3
How interested are you in getting (more) information [for (SP)] about Medicare?
SHOW CARD KN4 KN3
KNCOVOPT
KN25D
code 1
How easy or difficult would you say it is for [you/(SP)] to review and compare [your/(SP)'s] Medicare coverage
options? Would you say it is …
Page 1 of 6
2026 MCBS Community Questionnaire
Variable Name
MR Screen Name
Question Type
KNQ - BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE
Question Text/Description
SHOW CARD KN5 KN4
KNCOVREV
KN25E
code 1
How often [do you/does (SP)] review or compare [your/(SP)'s] Medicare coverage options? Would that be at least
once every year, once every few years, rarely, or never?
SHOW CARD KN6 KN5
KNCOVINF
KN25F
code 1
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:
[I have/(SP) has] the information [I need/(SP) needs] to make an informed comparison among different health
insurance choices.
Would you say you …
SHOW CARD KN7 KN6
KNFOSATI
KN26
code 1
KN27IN
KN27INT
no entry
KBOKRECD
KN27
yes/no
How satisfied are you in general with the availability of information about the Medicare program when you need it
[for (SP)]?
Now I would like to ask you about publications that are available to you [and (SP)] about the Medicare program.
Code List
Routing
(01) AT LEAST ONCE EVERY YEAR
(02) ONCE EVERY FEW YEARS
(03) RARELY
(04) NEVER
(05) ONLY ONCE WHEN FIRST SIGNED UP FOR
DRUG PLAN
(06) ONLY ONCE WHEN FIRST SIGNED UP FOR
MEDICARE
(07) JUST SIGNED UP FOR MEDICARE
(-8) DON'T KNOW
(-9) REFUSED
KN35F-KNCOVINF
(01) Completely agree
(02) Somewhat agree
(03) Somewhat disagree
(04) Completely disagree
(05) DOES NOT MAKE DECISIONS ON HEALTH
INSURANCE
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN26 - KNFOSATI
(01) VERY SATISFIED
(02) SATISFIED
(03) DISSATISFIED
(04) VERY DISSATISFIED
(05) NOT APPLICABLE
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN27INT - KN27IN
(01) CONTINUE
(-7) Empty
KN27 - KBOKRECD
SHOW CARD KN8 KN7
KBOKREAD
KN28
code 1
(01) YES
(02) NO
Did [you/(SP)] receive in the mail or view on the Medicare website a book called "Medicare and You [CURRENT
(-8) Don't Know
YEAR]?” This book gives an overview of the Medicare program and is sent to Medicare beneficiaries every fall. The
(-9) Refused
cover looks like this.
Would you say you have read this book thoroughly, that you have read parts of it, or that you haven't read it at all?
SHOW CARD KN9
KBOKUNDR
KN29
code 1
How easy or difficult did you find (the parts you read/this book) to understand?
[PROBE IF NECESSARY: Would you say (they were/it was) very easy to understand, somewhat easy to
understand, somewhat difficult to understand, or very difficult to understand?]
Next, I'd like to ask about [your/(SP's)] use of computers.
COMPDESK
KN50A
grid
[Do you/Does (SP)] own or use any of the following types of computers? Please tell me yes or no for each item I
list.
Desktop or laptop
(01) KN28 - KBOKREAD
(02) KN50A- COMPDESK
(-8) KN50A- COMPDESK
(-9) KN50A- COMPDESK
(01) READ IT THOROUGHLY
(02) READ PARTS OF IT
(03) HAVEN'T READ IT AT ALL
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) KN29 - KBOKUNDR
(02) KN29 - KBOKUNDR
(03) KN50A-COMPDESK
(-8) KN50A- COMPDESK
(-9) KN50A- COMPDESK
KN50A- COMPDESK
(01) VERY EASY
(02) SOMEWHAT EASY
(03) SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT
(04) VERY DIFFICULT
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN50A- COMPDESK
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN50A- COMPPHON
Page 2 of 6
2026 MCBS Community Questionnaire
Variable Name
MR Screen Name
Question Type
KNQ - BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE
Question Text/Description
Next, I'd like to ask about [your/(SP's)] use of computers.
COMPPHON
KN50A
grid
[Do you/Does (SP)] own or use any of the following types of computers? Please tell me yes or no for each item I
list.
Smartphone
Next, I'd like to ask about [your/(SP's)] use of computers.
COMPTAB
KN50A
grid
[Do you/Does (SP)] own or use any of the following types of computers? Please tell me yes or no for each item I
list.
Tablet or other portable wireless computer
Some people use the Internet to get different kinds of information. The next questions ask about the Internet.
Code List
Routing
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN50A- COMPTAB
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN51INT - KN51IN
(01) CONTINUE
(-7) Empty
INTERNET-INTERNET
KN51IN
KN51INT
no entry
INTERNET
INTERNET
yes/no
[Do you/ Does (SP)] have access to the internet?
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) KN51A-USENET KN51C - OFTNNET
(02) KN51B- SOMELNET
(-8) KN51B- SOMELNET
(-9) KN51B- SOMELNET
USENET
KN51A
code 1
[Do you/Does (SP)] personally ever use the Internet to get information of any kind?
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) KN51C - OFTNNET
(02) KN51B - SOMELNET
(-8) AUDIOVID
(-9) AUDIOVID
SOMELNET
KN51B
yes/no
[Do you/Does(SP)] have someone else, such as a friend, relative, or anyone else, get information for [you/(SP)] on
the Internet?
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) KN51C - OFTNNET
(02) AUDIOVID BOX KN7
(-8) AUDIOVID BOX KN7
(-9) AUDIOVID BOX KN7
(01) EVERY DAY
(02) A FEW TIMES A WEEK
(03) A FEW TIMES PER MONTH
(04) A FEW TIMES PER YEAR OR LESS
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
AUDIOVID
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
BOX KN7
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN53A-KCOMINTE
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN53A -KCOMPRES
OFTNNET
KN51C
code 1
[EXPLAIN IF NECESSARY: The Internet includes web sites, e-mail, newsgroups, and other forums.]
How often [do you/does (SP)] access the Internet to seek information, either on [your/(SP)'s] own or with someone
else's help?
Please do not include any time spent reading or sending e-mail.
AUDIOVID
KVSTSITE
AUDIOVID
yes/no
Since (REFERENCE DATE), [have you/has (SP)] participated in video or voice calls or conferencing over the
internet, such as with Zoom, Skype or FaceTime?
BOX KN7
routing
IF SP DID NOT REPORT VISITING OR ACCESSING THE OFFICAL WEBSITE FOR MEDICARE INFORMATION
IN ANY PREVIOUS ROUND (SAMPLE_PERSON.P_KVSTSITE^=1) GO TO KN53 - KVSTSITE.
ELSE GO TO KN53A-KCOMINTE
KN53
yes/no
(Has anyone/[Have you/Has (SP)]) ever visited or ever accessed the official website for Medicare information www.medicare.gov [for (SP)]?
Now I have some questions that ask about how Medicare beneficiaries use the Internet to access health care
related information.
KCOMINTE
KN53A
Grid
During the past 12 months, [has anyone/have you/has (SP)] used the Internet to
Look up health information [for (SP)]?
Page 3 of 6
2026 MCBS Community Questionnaire
Variable Name
MR Screen Name
Question Type
KNQ - BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE
Question Text/Description
Now I have some questions that ask about how Medicare beneficiaries use the Internet to access health care
related information.
KCOMPRES
KN53A
Grid
During the past 12 months, [has anyone/have you/has (SP)] used the Internet to
Fill a prescription [for (SP)]?
Now I have some questions that ask about how Medicare beneficiaries use the Internet to access health care
related information.
KCOMAPPO
KN53A
Grid
During the past 12 months, [has anyone/have you/has (SP)] used the Internet to
Schedule an appointment with a health care provider [for (SP)]?
Now I have some questions that ask about how Medicare beneficiaries use the Internet to access health care
related information.
KCOMCOMM
KN53A
Grid
During the past 12 months, [has anyone/have you/has (SP)] used the Internet to
Communicate with a health care provider [for (SP)]?
KCHIHELP
KREELINE
KCPHINFO
BOX KN8
routing
IF PROXY IS RESPONDENT, GO TO BOX KN9.
ELSE GO TO KN54 - KCHIHELP.
KN54
code 1
Most of the time, do you make decisions about Medicare health insurance on your own, do you get help from
someone in making these decisions, or do you rely on someone else to make decisions about health insurance for
you?
BOX KN9
routing
IF SP HAS NOT BEEN ASKED KREELINE IN A PREVIOUS ROUND (SAMPLE_PERSON.P_KREELINE=.), GO
TO KREELINE.
ELSE GO TO BOX KN10.
KN56
yes/no
Before today, were you aware of the 1-800-MEDICARE toll-free line?
BOX KN10
routing
IF SP DID NOT REPORT CALLING 1-800-MEDICARE TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT MEDICARE IN ANY
PREVIOUS ROUND (SAMPLE_PERSON.P_KCHPINFO ^= 1) GO TO KN57 - KCPHINFO.
ELSE GO TO RGHTAPL
KN57
yes/no
Have you ever called 1-800-MEDICARE to get information about Medicare?
Code List
Routing
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN53A -KCOMAPPO
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN53A -KCOMCOMM
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
BOX KN8
(01) MAKES DECISIONS ON OWN
(02) GETS HELP ON DECISIONS
(03) SOMEONE ELSE MAKES DECISIONS
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
BOX KN9
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) KN57 - KCPHINFO
(02) RGHTAPL
(-8) RGHTAPL
(-9) RGHTAPL
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
RGHTAPL
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
KN58-OEINTRO1
Everyone covered by Medicare has certain rights and protections under their Medicare coverage.
These rights include the right to file a complaint or appeal any decision or action made by a medical provider if you
think you are being unfairly denied coverage, or denied adequate and complete treatment of your condition.
RGHTAPL
RGHTAPL
yes/no
If [you/(SP)] had concerns about the quality of care [you were/(SP) was] receiving from a healthcare provider or
facility, would [you/(SP)] know how to file a complaint or an appeal with Medicare?
[PLEASE INCLUDE SCENARIOS WHERE A PROXY HELPS THE RESPONDENT MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT
THEIR MEDICARE COVERAGE.]
Page 4 of 6
2026 MCBS Community Questionnaire
KNQ - BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE
Variable Name
MR Screen Name
Question Type
Question Text/Description
OEINTRO1
KN58
no entry
Now I would like to ask you about comparisons [you/(SP)] may have made during the last Medicare Open
Enrollment Period, which is sometimes called the Annual Election Period or Annual Coordinated Enrollment Period. (01) CONTINUE
The Open Enrollment Period runs each year from mid-October to early-December.
KN58A - RVWCOST
code 1
During the last open enrollment period, did [you/(SP)] review [your/(SP)'s] Medicare insurance coverage to see if
there were going to be changes in [your/(SP)'s] monthly premium, deductibles, co-payments, or other out of pocket
(01) YES
expenses?
(02) NO
(03) NOT APPLICABLE, JUST SIGNED UP FOR
[EXPLAIN IF NECESSARY: The Open Enrollment Period – sometimes called the Annual Election Period or Annual
MEDICARE
Coordinated Enrollment Period – runs each year from mid-October to early-December.]
(-8) DON'T KNOW
(-9) REFUSED
[PLEASE INCLUDE SITUATIONS WHERE A PROXY OR SOMEONE ELSE REVIEWS THE RESONDENT’S
MEDICARE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OR WITH THEM.]
KN58B - RVWSRVC
RVWCOST
KN58A
Code List
Routing
During the last open enrollment period, did [you/(SP)] review [your/(SP)'s] Medicare insurance coverage to see if
the kinds of treatment, drugs, and services covered will meet [your/(SP)'s] health care needs?
RVWSRVC
KN58B
code 1
(01) YES
(02) NO
[EXPLAIN IF NECESSARY: The Open Enrollment Period – sometimes called the Annual Election Period or Annual (03) NOT APPLICABLE, JUST SIGNED UP FOR
Coordinated Enrollment Period – runs each year from mid-October to early-December.]
MEDICARE
(-8) DON'T KNOW
(-9) REFUSED
[PLEASE INCLUDE SITUATIONS WHERE A PROXY OR SOMEONE ELSE REVIEWS THE RESONDENT’S
MEDICARE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OR WITH THEM.]
As you know, Medicare beneficiaries can choose different types of Medicare insurance plans. During the last open
enrollment period, did [you/(SP)] compare [your/(SP)'s] Medicare insurance plan with other Medicare plans that
were available?
CMPRPLN
KN58C
code 1
(01) YES
(02) NO
(03) NOT APPLICABLE, JUST SIGNED UP FOR
[EXPLAIN IF NECESSARY: The Open Enrollment Period – sometimes called the Annual Election Period or Annual
MEDICARE
Coordinated Enrollment Period – runs each year from mid-October to early-December.]
(-8) DON'T KNOW
(-9) REFUSED
[PLEASE INCLUDE SITUATIONS WHERE A PROXY OR SOMEONE ELSE REVIEWS THE RESONDENT’S
MEDICARE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OR WITH THEM.]
KN58C - CMPRPLN
(01) KN58D - CPLNTYPE
(02) KN59 - IRAKNOW1
(03) KN59 - IRAKNOW1
(-8) KN59 - IRAKNOW1
(-9) KN59 - IRAKNOW1
KN59 - KCSUGGST
SHOW CARD KN10
What types of Medicare plans did [you/(SP)] compare with [your/(SP)'s] Medicare insurance plan?
CPLNTYPE
KN58D
select all
[EXPLAIN IF NECESSARY:
-Medicare Parts A and B, commonly referred to as “Original Medicare,” provide hospital and medical insurance.
-Medicare Part C includes Medicare Advantage plans. These are plans offered to Medicare beneficiaries by private
companies (approved by Medicare) and provide beneficiaries with their Part A and B benefits. Medical Advantage
is an alternative to Original Medicare.
-Part D covers prescription drugs -- this type of plan is also known as an MPDP. Prescription drug plans are offered
by private companies (approved by Medicare).
- Medigap is a supplemental insurance plan sold by private companies for use with Original Medicare. It cannot be
used with Medicare Advantage. Medigap plans help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare
doesn't cover, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.]
(01) Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare)
(02) Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans
(03) Medicare Part D, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
(MPDPs)
(04) Medigap Plans
(-8) DON'T KNOW
(-9) REFUSED
IRAKNOW1
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) IRAKNOW1 - IRALIMIT
(02) IRAKNOW1 - IRALIMIT
(-8) IRAKNOW1 - IRALIMIT
(-9) IRAKNOW1 - IRALIMIT
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPRX
(02) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPRX
(-8) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPRX
(-9) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPRX
[PLEASE INCLUDE SITUATIONS WHERE A PROXY OR SOMEONE ELSE REVIEWS THE RESONDENT’S
MEDICARE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR OR WITH THEM.]
IRANEGOT
IRAKNOW1
grid
IRALIMIT
IRAKNOW1
grid
As far as you know, is there a federal law in place that …
Requires the federal government to negotiate the price of some prescription drugs for people with Medicare
Places an annual limit on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for people with Medicare
Page 5 of 6
2026 MCBS Community Questionnaire
KNQ - BENEFICIARY KNOWLEDGE
Variable Name
MR Screen Name
Question Type
Question Text/Description
Code List
Routing
IRACAPRX
IRAKNOW1
grid
Caps the cost of each insulin product for people with Medicare at $35 per month
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPVC
(02) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPVC
(-8) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPVC
(-9) IRAKNOW1 - IRACAPVC
IRACAPVC
IRAKNOW1
grid
Removes out-of-pocket costs for recommended vaccines covered under Medicare Part D
[IF NEEDED: Vaccines covered under Medicare Part D protect against Shingles, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV),
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), and others, including vaccines recommended for
international travel.]
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) IRAKNOW1 - IRAPRTDRX
(02) IRAKNOW1 - IRAPRTDRX
(-8) IRAKNOW1 - IRAPRTDRX
(-9) IRAKNOW1 - IRAPRTDRX
IRAPRTDRX
IRAKNOW1
grid
Allows Medicare Part D enrollees to spread their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs out over the year
[IF NEEDED: Medicare beneficiaries can receive insurance coverage for prescription drugs through Medicare
Prescription Drug plans. These plans are also called "Medicare Part D" plans.]
(01) YES
(02) NO
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) KCSUGGST
(02) KCSUGGST
(-8) KCSUGGST
(-9) KCSUGGST
(01) R DOES NOT HAVE SUGGESTIONS OR
CONCERNS
(02) RECORD ALL OTHER RESPONSES VERBATIM
(-8) Don't Know
(-9) Refused
(01) BOX KNEND
(02) KN58 - KCSUGGVB
(-8) BOX KNEND
(-9) BOX KNEND
(01) continuous answer
BOX KNEND
KCSUGGST
KN59
verbatim text
As you know, this survey is sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is the
government agency that runs Medicare. What are your suggestions or concerns about Medicare?
RECORD VERBATIM.
KCSUGGVB
KN59
verbatim text
BOX KNEND
routing
GO TO USQ.
Page 6 of 6
| File Type | application/pdf |
| Author | NORC |
| File Modified | 2025:07:01 12:33:26-05:00 |
| File Created | 2025:07:01 12:29:00-05:00 |