Which feature is commonly associated with managed care?

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Managing care with an eye on cost and coordination, the primary care physician acts as the gatekeeper. They’re usually the first point of contact and must authorize or route most referrals to specialists, tests, or procedures. This gatekeeping keeps care focused and appropriate, preventing unnecessary specialist visits and redundant or costly services, while also helping coordinate care across doctors, hospitals, and other providers.

Unrestricted access to all specialists goes against this approach, because it bypasses the coordinated referral system. The idea that there is no utilization management also doesn’t fit managed care, since plans typically review what services are medically necessary and may require prior authorization. And coverage isn’t limited to inpatient services only; managed care plans usually cover both inpatient and outpatient services within a network, with cost-containment and care coordination baked in.