Managed Care Plans are programs designed to control the costs of healthcare services.
These plans employ various strategies to manage patient use, quality, and financing. Strategies include setting annual and lifetime limits, implementing co-payments, and requiring pre-approvals for certain services.
Despite the negative light often portrayed in the media, Managed Care Plans have changed their focus to ensure patients receive appropriate care. The idea is to use levels of care, placement criteria, and patient treatment planning methods. Evidence-based treatments are utilized to optimize outcomes and contain costs.
The managed care revolution has brought consequences, that include reduced substance abuse treatment benefits and limited availability of care. These trends are particularly concerning in substance abuse treatment due to its significant social cost.
To address challenges and improve patient care quality and consumer satisfaction, providers must reverse negative trends. Ethical practices in addiction medicine and behavioral health, managers work towards successful outcomes for substance abuse and mental health issues.
