Most of us use the phrase with a vague understanding that there is a definition for the concept. If that sounds a little too general, it is. The difficulty in developing a succinct, understandable definition stems from the fact that managed care continues to evolve. It was like limiting your choice to consuming only vanilla ice cream, he adds. Continuing with his analogy, Flaherty suggests that there are now chocolate, raspberry, tutti frutti and dozens of other palate pleasers to choose.
Companies can even concoct their own flavor with the help of a provider.
Finding new creative solutions for health coverage, Flaherty adds, is one of the primary factors in managed care's rise in popularity. We see it in the percentage of employers looking for relief in health care costs. They are looking more at alternative programs and more at managed care. Masuik's statement is substantiated by The 1995 HMO PPO Directory , which shows that Indiana has achieved a 12.5 penetration percentage for managed care products. The directory also ranks Indiana 29 out of 50 states for its acceptance of managed care.