Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Managed Care Programs

Managed care programs are a type of healthcare delivery system that aims to manage the cost and quality of care for patients. They are typically used by insurance companies, employers, and government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, to control healthcare costs and improve the coordination and quality of care for patients.

There are several types of managed care programs, each with a unique approach to healthcare delivery. Some of the most common types include:

Health maintenance organizations (HMOs): HMOs are a type of managed care program that typically provide care through a network of providers that have agreed to accept a set payment for their services. Patients are typically required to choose a primary care physician who acts as a gatekeeper, controlling access to specialists and other services.

Preferred provider organizations (PPOs): PPOs are similar to HMOs but typically offer more flexibility for patients to see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost.

Point-of-service (POS) plans: POS plans are a type of managed care program that combines features of HMOs and PPOs, allowing patients to see out-of-network providers but typically at a higher cost than in-network providers.

Accountable care organizations (ACOs): ACOs are a type of managed care program that aims to improve the coordination and quality of care by having a group of providers work together to manage a patient’s care. This is typically done through shared financial and clinical responsibility for the patient’s care.

Bundled payment: a payment model where all the cost for a episode of care for a defined condition or procedure, are bundled together and paid as a single payment to the group of providers that renders the services.

Managed care programs have been implemented with the goal of controlling healthcare costs, improving the coordination and quality of care, and providing access to healthcare for patients. However, it is important to note that the outcomes of these programs can vary depending on the specific program and how it is implemented, some managed care programs have been criticized for restricting patient access to certain treatments and providers and for compromising the quality of care.