title: Public perceptions of cost containment strategies: mixed signals for managed care.
abstract: With health care costs, and insurance premiums in particular, escalating rapidly, we may see the reintroduction of utilization management strategies associated with managed care, which seemed destined for oblivion only a short time ago. Results from a survey to assess Americans' views of managed care cost containment strategies indicate mixed support: Despite an overall lack of confidence in managed care, Americans appear to be receptive to specific managed care practices. Those designing cost containment strategies must find a balance between imposing restrictions that moderate use and hold down costs and allowing consumers to retain some control over their own health care.
authors.affiliation: NORC at University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. schur-claudia@norc.org
authors.forename: Claudia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Schur
authors.forename: Marc L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yegian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D014481:United States