June 5, 2026 | Less than 1 minute read time
Supporting member health with coordinated teams, preventive services and digital tools for better, connected coverage
What is managed care, and how does it shape your health coverage today?
This short video breaks down how managed care works – from coordinated care teams to preventive services to digital tools that support your everyday health. You’ll also learn about the origin of managed care and how it is evolving to deliver more connected, affordable care across different types of plans.
Media description (scene 1): Open with the Aetna logo, then transition to a map of America. Pictograms pop up of people and care tools; lines appear to connect them all together. Then, zoom in to one pictogram of a doctor and transition to the next scene.
Narration: Health care in America can be complicated – but understanding how it works can make it simpler. Managed care shapes patients’ health care experiences, making care more connected, personalized, and affordable.
Media description (scene 2): Open on that pictogram of the doctor, then zoom out to a circle of the “network.” A rotating circle of icons that represent the “network,” including hospitals and providers. Pop up a low-cost icon with pulsing arrow down. Transition to a member meeting with a physician, then images of doctors, care teams, and members.
Narration: Managed care is a type of health insurance that works by partnering with networks of doctors, hospitals, and other care providers to improve health outcomes and lower costs. Managed care has transformed into a model that delivers better support and health to patients. It focuses on helping people get preventive care while they’re healthy to avoid later health issues. Doctors, care teams, and members have seen the impact firsthand: when care is connected, patients thrive.
Media description (scene 3): The member is at their annual visit with their primary care doctor. Then, transition to the care manager calling the member to recommend a therapist visit. Transition to the member at their therapist appointment; then we see a care manager, and an image of a computer with Aetna services.
Narration: Managed care plays a big role in how people experience health care. Whether you get your coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, or your employer, managed care helps your doctors stay connected so you have a more coordinated navigation through the health care experience. Sometimes, that coordination includes a care manager – a person who helps connect you to the right support and services.
Media description (scene 4): Show the member’s hand from a bird’s-eye view using the Aetna app and scheduling an appointment, and then on a telehealth visit. We see additional images of physicians inside and outside the network, and then a member picking up a prescription.
Narration: Not every plan works the same way. Some help you stay connected with one primary doctor who manages your care. Others give you more flexibility to choose different doctors – even those outside of your network – to meet your specific treatment needs. No matter the structure of your plan, managed care helps make your care coordinated and comprehensive.
Media description (scene 5): Pictograms of nutrition, condition management, and virtual visits pop up. Then, transition to member doing yoga, and another member coming home to a delivery. Then the member is on their computer checking their bill. We see a web of providers and services representing managed care, and a tablet with health services.
Narration: Care plans are tailored to your needs. Programs may support nutrition, condition management, or virtual visits. It can also mean support for everyday things that affect health, like help with rides to the doctor or getting healthy groceries. By supporting preventive care to identify issues early and avoiding duplicate or unnecessary services, managed care can also help lower overall health care costs. These kinds of support are growing, because managed care keeps evolving to meet people’s needs – like using technology to anticipate your individual health care needs, such as reminders for prescription refills or upcoming appointments.
Media description (scene 6): The member interacts with their physician again. Then, zoom out to see a network (circle) of diverse individuals and families with managed care pictograms, to show a community of managed care. End with the Aetna logo.
Narration: The next time you talk to a doctor, get support with filling a prescription, or use a digital health tool to view your benefits and track your health goals, managed care is helping behind the scenes. It’s part of what keeps your care connected and more affordable.
Legal notices
Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).
Programs and services may not be available for all plans or in all locations.
Aetna and MinuteClinic, LLC (which either operates or provides certain management support services to MinuteClinic-branded walk-in clinics) are part of the CVS Health® family of companies.
The EAP is administered by Resources for Living, LLC. All EAP calls are confidential, except as required by law. EAP instructors, educators and participating providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Refer to Aetna.com for more information about Aetna® plans.