The goals of these changes are to cut medical costs, make the delivery of health care more efficient, and to promote preventive medicine, health, and primary care. While these changes are positive in many ways, they are also creating concerns among both the health care consumer and provider. These changes must be managed to insure that high quality care remains at the forefront of medical care. In exchange for lower premiums, copayments and deductibles, the consumer agrees to see a limited group of physicians selected by the plan. The plan keeps costs down by limiting the consumer's access to expensive specialists and procedures.
Patients visit any doctor at any time and pay directly for their treatment.
These plans are the least restrictive, but the most expensive. Four types of managed care plans exist. In an HMO, the member is offered a specific list of doctors and hospitals from whom he or she must receive care in order to be covered. This type of plan is the cheapest but most restrictive. Three other types of managed care plans are available.