What is the main focus of managed care plans?

Managed care plans primarily focus on reducing healthcare costs while maintaining quality of care. This is achieved through a variety of strategies that include coordinating patient services, promoting preventive care, and implementing cost-control measures. Managed care organizations often strive to provide efficient service delivery by creating networks of providers who agree to provide services at negotiated rates. By managing the care pathway, these plans aim to ensure that patients receive necessary treatments without unnecessary tests or procedures, promoting both cost-effectiveness and quality of healthcare services.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the core objectives of managed care. For instance, providing unlimited choices for all types of care could lead to significant cost increases and is contrary to the managed care approach of utilizing a defined network of providers. Ensuring that all providers are out-of-network contradicts the essence of managed care, which typically emphasizes in-network services to control costs. Lastly, offering cash benefits for medical expenses is not a primary focus of managed care plans; instead, they are centered on delivering comprehensive health services through structured plans and networks.