Which statement is true about how managed care plans operate?

Managed care plans are designed to control costs, improve efficiency, and ensure quality care by coordinating services among a network of providers. The primary focus on in-network care allows these plans to negotiate lower rates with participating providers, which helps keep overall expenses down.

This approach creates a financial incentive for members to use in-network services, often leading to lower out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copayments. By concentrating care within a specific network, managed care plans can effectively manage the quality of care received and ensure that members adhere to evidence-based treatment protocols.

The other statements do not correctly represent how managed care operates. For example, managed care typically does not reimburse all providers equally and emphasizes quality care over simply access. Additionally, it discourages patients from seeking out-of-network care due to higher costs associated with those services. Lastly, managed care plans have different regulatory requirements compared to traditional indemnity insurance, which operates on a fee-for-service basis without a tightly controlled network.