Coordination of care: stage one in assessing rural managed care

This article provides a framework for assessing the role of managed care in optimizing the mix of services to advance the health of rural populations. Mindful of limited organizational and financial resources in many rural areas, such assessments must carefully weigh the contribution of these resources to effective management of care. The framework presented emphasizes the different populations and different health conditions that a variety of care coordinators may address more or less effectively. Attention to issues having to do with organizational architecture and financial accountability of managed care should flow from prior to consideration of care management.