Managed Care :: Caregiver Medical Health Care

The advantages of managed care to the consumer are medical expenses completely covered, no deductible, and lower monthly premium payment. The consumer under managed care coverage would only need to make his monthly premium payment and co- payments. Managed care makes health care more affordable to the consumers. The disadvantages of managed care would be the consumer would only be able to see caregivers affiliated with the managed care organization, having to pay co-pay every visit, rising premiums, under treatment, and too much reed tape to get necessary treatments. A caregiver’s perspective about managed care is it offers some stability in patient load and income. Managed care would help cut some of the caregiver’s expenses of maintaining facilities and staff, by uniting caregivers and sharing resources. Managed care may also help health care organizations run more efficiently and effectively. The disadvantage is a loss of professional independence and, an increase financial risk. According to the text â€Å"Capitation is especially risky because providers receive a set fee no matter how much care is needed.† A great deal of vigor in managed care is focused on paperwork, authorizations, and procedures, and caregivers say it is nearly unattainable to do their jobs efficiently and meet the increased demand for paperwork. Which would I prefer traditional insurance or manage care? Well this is a very tough question for me. I have had both, when traditional insurance was on the rise during the late 90’s, my ex-husband and I had very affordable insurance for a very reasonable price. We had no deductable, we could see who we wanted for caregivers, a ten dollar co-pay, and reduced prescriptions. Today I am on Medicaid (not for elderly but for poor), but I don’t think I could afford today’s insurance prices. I like Medicaid because I don’t have to worry about money for doctor’s bills, co-pays, or prescriptions. On the other hand I have a tough time finding caregivers accepting new Medicaid patients, some doctors treat Medicaid patients differently, many treatments and prescriptions ordered are not covered by Medicaid, so I had to go with out.