To understand any new area, the players are the key. This presentation will discuss the various players in managed care and their roles; Providers: hospitals, physicians, mental health, pharmacy, DME, HHA etc. Payers: insurance companies, HMO's, self-insured employers under ERISA plans; and others third party administrators, Administrative Service Organizations (ASO's), PPO's, IPA's, MSO's, Discount Cards, Consumer Directed (driven) Plans. All play a role in understanding managed care.