Write a 1,000-1,500-word paper about the role of managed care and integrated health systems. Include and address the following in your paper: Managed Care-The role of managed care and integrated health system A key theorist and a brief description of behavioral therapy.

Managed Care-The role of managed care and integrated health system

Managed care is a healthcare services delivery approach that seeks to utilize scarce resources through optimization in the care of patients. Healthcare is a highly competitive American business sector that has gaps as it pertains to customers’ needs. To satisfy these gaps, the healthcare insurers implemented various changes. Managed care in the sector was found to be a perfect solution for resource utilization, coordination of healthcare delivery, and implementation of systems that promote both preventive and curative care. Managed care was expected to deliver two solutions. First, it would offer cost savings in comparison to traditional insurance plans that purchasers used. This benefit would be realized through adherence to the detailed list of services, and benefits. The incentives for patients and physicians to observe the list ensured that resources were used carefully. The utilization of such resources was also monitored and controlled through obtaining preauthorization when planning to perform non-emergency procedures or prescribe expensive medication. Secondly, the managed care system would incorporate an integrated system of finance and delivery of preventive and curative care for chronically ill patients (Tobin, 1997). The claims database was comprehensive enough to allow assessment of economic and clinical outcomes as well as the implementation of improvements.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) pays attention to people’s thoughts and their connection to feelings and behaviors (NAMI, 2021). During a session, a psychologist’s goal is to reveal any unhealthy thought patterns and the resulting self-destructive behaviors. It strengthens self-awareness and enables the patients to develop coping strategies to deal with destructive tendencies. Patients develop confidence and identify effective stress-relieving strategies. It has been found to be effective in the management of insomnia, panic disorders, occupational stress, chronic pain, PTSD, phobias, problems related to substance abuse, severe mental conditions, depression, eating disorders, and relationship or interpersonal issues (Knapp & Beck, 2008). In 2017, studies established that CBT is ideal in increasing the brain regions’ connectivity. Some of the most affected parts of the brain include the amygdala as well as the frontal lobes. In 2018, studies confirmed improvement of emotion regulation among children with autism disorders (Wake Forest University, n.d).

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy (CT) is a significant aspect of contemporary psychology. CT operates on the assumption that cognitions have an effect on behaviors and emotions. The relationship between cognition and emotions is two-way because an alteration in one’s emotions affects cognitions. An individual’s perception of certain situations and events affects their emotions (Hoffmann, 2013). Dr. Aaron Beck played a critical role in developing CT through working with patients suffering from depression. CT is unique from other CBTs due to the connection between emotions and cognitions and their ability to influence each other. While CT teaches patients to disengage from negative thoughts or tame them, Dr. Aaron Beck identified various shortcomings. These distortions included categorization of experiences as good or bad, mind-reading, overgeneralization, and creation of ‘should’ statements. Psychologists should be in apposition to use evidence to correct such distortions (Dobson & Mastikhina, 2015).

Managed Care and Its Purpose

A managed care system is an integrated framework that incorporates delivery of care and financing through a clear set of health services. Any healthcare framework that enables providers to achieve efficient delivery of care while managing costs can be categorized as managed care. Various forms of managed care include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), point-of-service plans (POS), fee-for-service plans, and self-insurance plans. Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) achieve their objectives by controlling access to special care and getting rid of any unnecessary procedures and services (Tobin, 1997).

The main features of managed care include preauthorization, thorough utilization review, insistence on the use of physicians as well as other healthcare givers, quality improvement plans, and payment systems that ensure physicians are accountable for the quality and cost of specific medical services. Managed care has had a significant influence on various aspects of healthcare, including improved outcomes, reduction of health expenditure, and improved access to preventive and curative care.