Which of the following is a typical feature of managed care health plans?

The correct answer highlights a fundamental characteristic of managed care health plans, which is their strong focus on preventive care and cost management. Managed care organizations aim to deliver healthcare services in a way that reduces unnecessary expenses while promoting the health of their members through preventive measures. This proactive approach helps prevent the onset of more severe health issues, thereby lowering costs long-term and improving overall health outcomes.

Managed care plans typically incentivize members to engage in preventive care services such as regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations. This not only benefits the individual by catching potential health problems early but also helps manage the overall healthcare costs for the plan. By focusing on prevention, managed care reduces the need for more extensive and expensive treatments later on.

In contrast, the other choices represent aspects that do not align with the core principles of managed care. For instance, managed care generally restricts the choice of healthcare providers to a network to control costs, leads to potentially lower out-of-pocket expenses due to negotiated rates with providers, and emphasizes patient education and engagement to encourage informed decision-making about health choices.