Managed health care - Essay Example

Managed Health Care Managed Health Care Question part a). Health care today is whether or not managed care in working? In US, Managed health care comprises of such techniques and technologies which are beneficial in terms of improving the quality of life and health care. There are several organizations that provide such services and also provide finances for health care techniques. Such finances include incentives for general physicians so that they choose such medical equipments which are of comparatively lower cost but of high effectiveness, sharing of costs for surgical instruments and proving maximum facilities in this regard.

Although the above mentioned and some other medical related problems in terms of cost are thought to be handled by Managed health care organizations, yet it has become controversial as the defined tasks are not properly done. Physicians, surgical equipment companies, pharmacies are considered for taking high costs and incentives as their commission. If managed care is to be associated with health care as a compulsion, all such activities should be taken under observations so as to provide proper and adequate medical facilities to the patients, which are of comparatively lower cost so that maximum number of people can benefit from it (Managed health care, Tobin 2012).

Question #1, part b). Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of managed care (i.e., in what areas it is working and in what areas it is not working?) Explain upon what factors you base your opinion. No doubt managed health care provides enough benefit when the services are taken in bulk; it prominently reduces the total cost of equipments. Moreover, when managed health care organizations provide choice amongst physicians, labs and hospitals, it also becomes highly cost reducing for them as well as for the patient.

But one who thinks that limiting choice is a bad option; he/she should have more money to spend in order to consult with other doctors. The delivery system by such organizations should be fair and cost-effective, i.e., all hospitals, physicians, nurses, Para-medical staff who are affiliated with managed health care organizations should be provided timely and at proper and needed place. In these areas, somehow managed health care is earning good points. But on the other hand, if the commission set by the elements of the delivery system rates too high, or they are less effective than the cost, the system starts to decline and the opponents get something to argue upon (Donohue 2008).

Question #2, part a). Why Physicians are the primary controller of costs in the health care system? Before managed health care was introduced, there was fee-for-service method in which doctors were paid every time they provide some service. Their services can be limitless and thus they earn a lot by this method. They themselves were the ones who decide how much to be charged for a particular service. Managed health care organizations convince doctors to provide services per person monthly, so that the costs from the patient’s side reduce effectively.

It is obvious that Physicians are the primary controller of costs in the health care system. They are the service providers and they are the ones who recommend instruments, equipments and medicines. Thus all managed health care organizations choose their physicians keenly and wisely, who are not costly for them and at the same time provide quality service to the patients. Question #2, part b). Address how managed care plans can affect the above stated fact?There are several managed care plans which are highly helpful for the patients.

There are directories through which finding a primary physician becomes easier and also there are insurance plans through which the recommendation and referrals to a particular doctor can also be found. As it depends entirely upon the physician how much he/she costs for his/her services, hence managed care plans are arranged in such a way so as to assist patients by providing contacts of cost effective physicians. Hence overall, managed health care is a good attempt towards a prosperous and healthier US (Health Care systems 2012).

Works CitedManaged Health Care (a good idea gone wrong). Retrieved on 14/5/2012 from: Health Care Systems - Managed health care vs. fee-for-service. Retrieved on 14/5/2012 from: Donohue, T. U.S. Health Care—Strengths and Weaknesses (Feb 12, 2008) Retrieved on 14/5/2012 from: Tobin, C.WHAT IS MANAGED HEALTH CARE? Retrieved on 14/5/2012 from: http://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/vodold/mngdcare.htm>