I.Q. -- Interesting Quote

By Editorial Staff

The Fallacy of Managed Care

Although the whole purpose of managed care has been to tame the ever-increasing costs of health care, some providers claim that goal has not been reached.

The recent issue of Medical Products Sales, the official journal of the Health Industry Distributors Association, featured several articles regarding managed care and the changing nature of health care itself.¹ One article quotes consultant Henry Golembesky, MD, who asserted his belief that managed care has failed to bring about any cost-saving changes in how doctors treat patients:

"Managed care cost controls are a fallacy and [have done] nothing but teach physicians what they need to say to get what they want for the patient. They haven't taught us how to be more cost-effective or how to treat people for good outcomes at a good price."

Perhaps it's time once again for the health care industry to reassess patient care.

Reference

1. Medical Product Sales, April 1995, Vol. 26 , No.4.