What does "managed care" aim to achieve in health insurance?

Managed care is a system of health insurance designed primarily to promote effective and efficient healthcare delivery. Its main goal is to reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization and costs while ensuring that patients receive the necessary care. By employing techniques such as provider networks, preauthorization for certain services, and care coordination, managed care organizations can help manage resources more effectively.

This approach not only aims to contain healthcare spending but also encourages the use of evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes. Through these methods, managed care can identify areas where healthcare services might be excessive or redundant and work to eliminate those inefficiencies.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary objectives of managed care. Eliminating all out-of-pocket expenses for patients, increasing premium costs, or providing unlimited access to all healthcare providers would not be feasible or sustainable approaches in the context of managed care. These alternatives do not support the core principles of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and appropriate resource utilization that define managed care systems.