What is the primary purpose of a Formulary in a managed care setting?

• A. To manage patient scheduling
• B. To provide an evidence-based list of medications covered by a plan
• C. To set hospital visitation rules
• D. To determine provider salaries

Answer: (B)

A formulary is an evidence-based list of medications that a managed care plan covers for its members. Its main purpose is to guide prescribing and coverage decisions toward drugs that are proven effective, safe, and cost-efficient. This helps ensure quality care while controlling drug costs, as plans encourage the use of preferred, lower-cost options and negotiate better prices with manufacturers. Scheduling, visitation rules, and provider salaries are unrelated to formulary decisions.