How to survive and thrive under managed care: lessons from U.S. dermatologists

Abstract

Dermatologists in the US have had many years experience in dealing with managed care and some lessons for survival and even thriving have become clear. First is to try to prevent managed care. By pointing out its history of failure in many countries it is still possible to prevent the catastrophe, to patient, physician and final payer, that managed care does represent. If prevention is not possible, minimizing its impact by promoting direct access, unbundling, and wider coverage is important. In addition, dermatologists will need to maximize reasonable sources of direct pay alternatives.