Rehabilitation issues from an insurer's viewpoint: past, present, future

Insurance is a contractual agreement by which one party agrees to compensate another for losses stipulated within the agreement. Coverage for services depends upon the specific contact in force. This presentation reviews the historical basis for third-party payment mechanisms from the perspective of an insurer. Current practices and problems related to the many facets of Health Care Insurance deserve emphasis. With certain fundamentals in mind, it may be easier to analyze trends. The need for quality and other controls impacts significantly upon the providers of services, those who utilize rehabilitation resources, society in general, and the fiscal reimbursement system.