9 trends creating a ripple effect. New directions in information technology must advance with changes in managed care.

Managed care is no longer a neatly packaged alternative to fee-for-service healthcare. Today's health plans come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from traditional staff model HMOs to point-of-service and out-of-network plans. As managed care continues to evolve, information is at the crux of these developments. New directions in information technology must advance with the changes in managed care.