Managed care organizations' arrangements with nurse practitioners.

Thirty-four of 67 MCOs in New York and Connecticut responded to requests for information on the roles, participation, and listing of nurse practitioners as primary care providers or in other capacities. MCO executives report a high degree of satisfaction with NPs who serve as their primary care providers, especially in women's health and geriatrics, as they spend more time teaching and explaining procedures than physicians. Ongoing lack of up-to-date information and/or confusion about the scope of NP practice exists among both health care professionals and the public. Perceived differences in the scope of care provided by NPs was related to state regulations, physician practice patterns, and availability of primary care physicians. Eighty-five percent of MCO executives thought their organizations should encourage the use of NPs.