Reproductive health care delivery. Patterns in a changing market

Providers of reproductive health services, including clinics and office-based physicians, face new challenges as the American health system progresses toward managed care. Although services for low-income women are often subsidized, the average out-of-pocket payments for reproductive health services are the same for women with incomes below and above 200% of the poverty level. Although many women, especially those classified as low income, use clinics, most say that they would prefer to receive care in a private physician's office and in a place where they can get general health care as well. Multivariate analyses indicate the importance of type of insurance and source of primary health care in affecting a woman's selection of her reproductive health care provider. Specialized providers such as family planning clinics need to consider how they can blend with managed care plans.