What are the Limitations of Insurance Claims Data?

Despite its advantages, there are several limitations to using insurance claims data in epidemiological studies:

Data Quality: Inaccuracies in coding and incomplete records can affect the reliability of the data.
Lack of Clinical Detail: Claims data often lacks detailed clinical information, such as laboratory results and lifestyle factors.
Selection Bias: The data may not represent uninsured populations or those with different types of coverage, leading to biased findings.
Administrative Data: The primary purpose of claims data is for billing, not research, which can limit its utility for certain epidemiological questions.