Coordinated agency versus autonomous consumers in health services markets.
Despite widespread acceptance of the competitive market model in the U.S. health care system, debate continues regarding the optimal form of competition and the patient-professional relationship. The managed care model envisions organizations that act as the consumer's agent, addressing the challenges that consumers face in the market for health care services. The consumer-directed health plan model envisions autonomous, well-informed, price-conscious consumers shopping among providers unconstrained by organizational affiliations. Although advocates of these two approaches stress their philosophical differences, the realities of the market suggest that both models, as well as hybrids, might be valued by consumers.
Dowd
Bryan E
BE
Division of Health Services Research and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, USA. dowdx001@umn.edu
D003256:Community Participation; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee; D006296:Health Services; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D017146:Models, Organizational; D014481:United States