Managed health care plans: sheep in wolves' clothing.
The gatekeeper is the ambassador of managed care, a cost-effective, quality advocate. The gatekeeper is one of the most effective management tools available to managed care organizations and patients today. However, there is little evidence proving this positive cost-benefit. Furthermore, managers lack the understanding and information about how gatekeepers operate and why certain decisions are made. The authors discuss what they believe is the real promise of managed care.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York, Buffalo 14240.
J G
JG
Kaplan
J S
JS
Sneider
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States