What does the term "integrated care" refer to in managed care?

The term "integrated care" in managed care refers to the coordination of healthcare services across various providers to ensure that patients receive comprehensive and continuous care. This approach recognizes that healthcare needs often span multiple specialties and services, and it aims to streamline the patient experience by fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Integrated care improves communication and reduces fragmentation, which enhances treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. By coordinating efforts across different levels of care—such as primary care, specialists, and support services—patients benefit from a more holistic approach that addresses both medical and non-medical factors related to their health.

In contrast, other options emphasize limited or ineffective approaches that do not support the overarching goals of integrated care. For instance, focusing solely on hospital-based services lacks the breadth of coordination across the healthcare system. Decentralized patient management may lead to disjointed care experiences, while isolated care for chronic conditions fails to recognize the interconnected nature of health issues that require a more comprehensive management strategy.