"Managed care" health plans include many different kinds of health insurance and health care plans. All managed care plans place restrictions on access to medical services, some more than others, to lower costs to the plan. Managed care plans include health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Even some conventional health insurance plans that pay physician fees have managed care requirements, such as making you get permission from plan reviewers before entering a hospital for care, except for emergencies.