The Nursing Home Scoring System: A Policy Analysis

In 1977, the New York State Health Department mandated the DMS-1 scoring system for placing elderly in Residential Health Care Facilities. By examining patients placed before and after the mandate, this study determined how the scoring system use affected distribution of patients in Skilled Nursing Facilities and Health-Related Facilities, their modes of payment, Utilization Review, and the containment of Medicaid costs. Results showed that the scoring system was unable to fulfill its policy intents. Policy implications are discussed.