What is meant by "managed care" in healthcare delivery?

"Managed care" refers to a healthcare delivery system designed primarily to manage costs while improving the quality of healthcare services. It incorporates strategies to streamline processes, negotiate prices, and coordinate care among different healthcare providers. The essence of managed care lies in its approach to resource utilization, preventative care, and integrated service delivery, allowing for better patient outcomes at a reduced financial burden on both individuals and the healthcare system.

In managed care, various methods such as health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are utilized to oversee and guide the care that patients receive. This enables the careful monitoring of treatments, promotes preventive measures, and fosters collaboration among providers, thus aligning incentives toward better health outcomes without unnecessary expenses.

The other options reflect misunderstandings about managed care. For instance, a system that provides unlimited services would be unsustainable and counter to the core principles of managed care, which seeks to limit unnecessary care to manage costs. A focus on specialist-only care ignores the comprehensive primary care aspect that managed care emphasizes. Lastly, a system that eliminates healthcare networks contradicts the structure of managed care, which relies on networks of providers to deliver coordinated and cost-effective care.