What is an essential feature of managed care systems?

The essential feature of managed care systems is the coordination of patient care. Managed care emphasizes structured approaches to healthcare delivery that aim to improve patient outcomes while managing costs. This coordination involves various healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals, working together to ensure that patients receive the appropriate care at the right time.

This system focuses on creating a cohesive treatment plan that follows patients through different levels of care and integrates preventive measures, treatment protocols, and consistent communication between healthcare providers. By coordinating care, managed care systems reduce the chances of duplicated tests, ensure continuity of treatment, and facilitate smoother transitions between different types of care, all of which are crucial for improving overall healthcare efficiency and effectiveness.

The other options do not capture the essence of managed care. For example, the exclusive use of hospital services does not reflect the broader, community-based approach characteristic of managed care. The non-requirement for preventive services contradicts the fundamental goal of these systems, which often emphasize the importance of preventive care to reduce future health issues. Finally, encouragement of unnecessary testing is contrary to the principles of managed care, which seeks to avoid wasteful spending and unnecessary medical procedures.