Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Case Manager Certification Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term "integrated care" within the context of the Affordable Care Act refers to care that is coordinated across multiple providers. This approach emphasizes the importance of collaboration among healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive and cohesive services to patients. By integrating care, healthcare professionals from various specialties work together to address a patient's overall health, rather than focusing on isolated symptoms or conditions. This model is designed to enhance the patient experience, improve health outcomes, and make healthcare delivery more efficient.

Integrated care also aligns with the goals of the Affordable Care Act, which seeks to improve care quality and reduce costs by promoting a patient-centered system. The integrated approach helps in managing chronic conditions, promoting preventative care, and addressing mental health alongside physical health, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive support.

Consequently, this model stands in contrast to disconnected or episodic care, which lacks coordination and continuity, and is less effective in managing complex health needs. Similarly, specialized care for isolated health issues may miss broader health concerns, and care focused solely on inpatient services does not take into account the full spectrum of patient needs and the importance of outpatient and community resources.