Managing programs for the elderly: design of a social information systems

This paper describes a comprehensive approach to assembling a health care information system to monitor programs for the elderly and disabled in a cost effective manner. The Social Information System (SIS) described in the paper was implemented for the evaluation of the New York State Long-Term Home Health Care Program (LTHHCP). This evaluation required the collection and organization of large amounts of client specific data, including claims, clinical and programatic data. Sources for these data included client medical records, Medicare, Medicaid, and the New York State Food Stamps, Public Assistance, Title XX, and Energy Assistance Programs. Recommendations are made regarding client identification, data elements, access, and structure of the data base.