Which type of organization implements gatekeeping to contain healthcare costs?

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) implement gatekeeping as a fundamental strategy to contain healthcare costs. Gatekeeping involves the use of a primary care physician (PCP) who acts as a coordinator for patient care. Under this model, patients are generally required to obtain a referral from their PCP before seeking services from specialists or other healthcare providers.

This system not only helps ensure that patients receive appropriate and necessary care but also minimizes unnecessary tests and treatments, contributing to overall cost containment. By managing patient access to various levels of care, HMOs aim to streamline healthcare delivery, control costs, and improve health outcomes.

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), while they do provide some level of cost management, typically offer more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers without requiring referrals. Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs) also provide a network of providers but do not necessarily include strong gatekeeping mechanisms like HMOs. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) focus on coordinated care and quality improvement but do not implement traditional gatekeeping in the same way as HMOs.