Unit V Scholarly Activity
Instructions
In a one page paper, explain the purpose of a managed care organization (MCO). Use specific examples to illustrate how they align with healthcare quality goals.You must use at least two reliable sources (government agency or peer-reviewed) to support your paper. Adhere to APA Style when creating all citations and references for this assignment.ResourcesThe following resource(s) may help you with this assignment.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Managed care organization (MCO) is a type of healthcare organization that manages the delivery of healthcare services to its members through a network of healthcare providers. The primary purpose of an MCO is to improve the quality of healthcare while reducing costs. In this paper, we will discuss the purpose of the MCO and how it aligns with healthcare quality goals.
The Purpose of a Managed Care Organization (MCO):
The primary purpose of an MCO is to manage the delivery of healthcare services to its members while controlling costs. MCOs aim to improve the quality of healthcare through the implementation of healthcare policies and procedures that align with healthcare quality goals.
For example, MCOs implement preventive care programs that focus on early detection and treatment of health problems. This approach helps to reduce the need for costly medical treatments, hospitalizations, and surgeries, thereby reducing costs. Preventive care programs also allow MCOs to promote the goals of better population health and disease prevention.
MCOs also ensure that healthcare providers follow evidence-based medical practices, which enhance the quality of healthcare service delivery. MCOs evaluate the performance of healthcare providers and reward those that provide high-quality care. In this way, MCOs encourage healthcare providers to reach their professional goals of providing quality care while minimizing costs.
Conclusion:
MCOs contribute significantly to the healthcare industry by facilitating quality healthcare delivery while controlling costs. They align with healthcare quality goals through preventive care programs, evidence-based medical practices, provider performance evaluation, and reward systems. The MCOs’ purpose makes them an essential partner in healthcare and creates opportunities for healthcare providers and patients to receive quality healthcare services at an affordable cost.
