title: Managed care in obstetrics.
abstract: Managed care has evolved from an experiment in cost-containment to a major force in the health care industry in the United States. Obstetrics, as a high-volume, high-cost specialty, seems to have attracted considerable attention from the managed care industry. Wide variations in standards for treating common pregnancy complications as well as the keen interest expressed by regulatory agencies and employer groups have resulted in a variety of preventative practice and disease management guidelines in this field.
authors.affiliation: Tufts Health Plan, Waltham, MA 02154, USA.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Richman
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards