An electronic network strategy for managed care

Electronic networks, which allow payors and providers to send and receive clinical and financial information directly from their computers, must be established to gain efficiency in health care reform. Standards are being built for the various types of health care transactions, with large-scale pilot programs testing how feasible and practical these networks actually will be. A great deal of development still needs to take place, but there are immediate benefits that can be realized for managed care companies that are prepared to move data electronically.