Information and decision support in managed care

Employers are increasingly purchasing health care benefits based on value, as it relates to both current and future needs, and they are seeking managed care partners who are committed to continuous quality improvement. They realize that meaningful health care information provides an essential foundation to support the development and implementation of future strategies, rather than allowing change to occur by chance. The success of a managed care strategy depends on the employer's ability to monitor plan performance routinely and target opportunities for improvement; the managed care organization's commitment to maintain cost-effective, quality-conscious provider networks; and the providers' willingness to change their practice patterns to improve quality and outcomes.