An R script to download the Medicare SynPUF (synthetic public use files)

download_synpuf.R

# main web page:  "https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Downloadable-Public-Use-Files/SynPUFs/DESample01.html"
# list of files to be downloaded for each 1/20 of the data
dl_list <- 
    c(
        "https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Downloadable-Public-Use-Files/SynPUFs/Downloads/DE1_0_2008_Beneficiary_Summary_File_Samplezzz.zip",
        "http://downloads.cms.gov/files/DE1_0_2008_to_2010_Carrier_Claims_SamplezzzA.zip",
        "http://downloads.cms.gov/files/DE1_0_2008_to_2010_Carrier_Claims_SamplezzzB.zip",
        "https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Downloadable-Public-Use-Files/SynPUFs/Downloads/DE1_0_2008_to_2010_Inpatient_Claims_Samplezzz.zip",
        "https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Downloadable-Public-Use-Files/SynPUFs/Downloads/DE1_0_2008_to_2010_Outpatient_Claims_Samplezzz.zip",
        "http://downloads.cms.gov/files/DE1_0_2008_to_2010_Prescription_Drug_Events_Samplezzz.zip",
        "https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Downloadable-Public-Use-Files/SynPUFs/Downloads/DE1_0_2009_Beneficiary_Summary_File_Samplezzz.zip",
        "https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Downloadable-Public-Use-Files/SynPUFs/Downloads/DE1_0_2010_Beneficiary_Summary_File_Samplezzz.zip"
)

local_path <- "your/download/path/here" # specifies where the downloaded file should be saved

# loop to download files ------------------------------------------------------------

for(i in 1:20) {
    r <- paste0("_", i)
    dl <- gsub("zzz", r, dl_list)
    for(j in seq_along(dl)){
        download_path <- paste0(local_path, basename(dl[[j]]))
        download.file(dl[[j]], download_path, method = "libcurl") # you might need to change method, especially on windows
    }
}

This took 50 minutes to download on my macbook over a FIOS (fiber optic) connection.