What is the primary goal of managed care?

• A. Balance cost containment with quality and access
• B. Maximize hospital profits
• C. Eliminate all patient costs
• D. Expand only outpatient services

Answer: (B)

Managed care is designed to deliver value by balancing three essential elements: cost containment, quality of care, and patient access. By coordinating services through networks, using evidence-based guidelines, and applying utilization management, a plan seeks to curb unnecessary spending while ensuring that patients receive appropriate, high-quality care when they need it. This balance is critical because aiming solely to maximize profits would undermine patient outcomes, and trying to eliminate all patient costs or expand only outpatient services ignores the need to manage care across the full continuum, including inpatient care and coordinated services. So the best choice emphasizes control of costs in tandem with maintaining quality and ensuring access for patients.