News / Profession

The Trouble with Managed Care

Dynamic Chiropractic Staff

When comparing different types of health care programs, one must always consider how "patient friendly" it is. A recent comparative survey found these discrepancies between Fee for Service and Managed Care:

Complaint Fee for Service Managed Care
 
Not getting treatment you and your doctor thought was necessary 13% 22%
 
Unable to see specialist when needed one in past year 15% 21%
 
Unable to get needed diagnostic tests in past year 17% 24%
 
Care not appropriate or correct for situation 5% 12%
     
Not able to get appointment without waiting a long time 7% 17%
 
Not able to see doctor without waiting a long time at office 18% 26%
 
Doctor did not explain what he/she was doing 6% 12%
 
Doctor did not tell when and how to take medications at home 4% 10%

Until managed care becomes more patient friendly, it won't be the health care provider of choice for most patients.

SOURCE: Survey conducted by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

December 1995
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