Question

Which of the following is an outcome of managed care?

1) Shift of patients to outpatient and home health services
2) Less complexity in funding sources
3) Less complexity in rules for consumers to follow
4) Greater consistency in the quality of care

Answer 1

One outcome of managed care, such as in HMOs, is the shift of patients to outpatient and home health services to increase healthcare efficiency and control costs, but it does not necessarily simplify funding or consumer rules, nor ensure consistent quality.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the outcomes of managed care is the shift of patients to outpatient and home health services. Managed care models like health maintenance organizations (HMOs) emphasize the efficiency of health care delivery. Instead of paying more for additional services under a fee-for-service system, providers receive a fixed payment per patient, motivating a shift toward less costly outpatient and home care settings where appropriate. This model seeks to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations or procedures and encourages the streamlining of care.

Under managed care, providers might utilize different methods such as telemedicine, employ new types of healthcare professionals, and incorporate technology to maximize efficiency. The advent of managed care has not necessarily led to less complexity in funding or consumer rules, nor can it guarantee greater consistency in quality across all providers, as these are influenced by various factors beyond the type of care model.