What is a primary goal of managed care systems?

The primary goal of managed care systems is to achieve a reduction in healthcare costs. Managed care aims to control healthcare expenditures while ensuring that patients receive necessary medical services. By coordinating care through various means, such as a network of providers and standardizing procedures, managed care organizations work to minimize unnecessary tests and avoid high-cost interventions that do not substantially improve patient outcomes.

This focus on cost management helps to keep healthcare affordable for individuals and insurers alike, enabling more people to access essential health services without leading to unsustainable expenditure. Therefore, the implementation of protocols, preventive care initiatives, and efficient resource utilization are instrumental in achieving the cost reduction objectives of managed care systems.