This volume aims to go beyond tracking HMO penetration by examining the aggregate forces at work in an emerging managed care market. It discusses the fundamentals of managed care including: managing health; defining covered populations; and financing. The book examines how providers, payors and physicians are responding to trends in managed care and illustrates how to measure any market's level of managed care penetration through the creation of a managed care index. In addition, it details how to put the index to work as a reliable benchmarking tool and a solid planning base.