Managed care and the radiologist: expectations and future trends.

Abstract

Our health care system, burdened by excessive costs and unprecedented growth, is in need of reform. How to carry out such reform and achieve an acceptable balance between quality and cost of care remains the dilemma. Attempts to control costs and limit growth have, in recent years, produced a disturbing trend in the quality and availability of health care benefits, focusing on benefit reduction without addressing resource utilization or quality of care. The result of these efforts? Persons who have health care insurance are paying more for basic plans and reduced benefits; others are either uninsured or underinsured. Health care benefits continue to be the fastest growing component of business expenses, strengthening the perception of diminishing competitiveness in the world market. The formation of smaller businesses offering no health care benefits continues to be problematic.