And many networks do not do enough to limit inappropriate or unnecessary care.

Government studies document that Medicare is riddled with waste, fraud and inappropriate care, probably in excess of $20 billion a year.

But those who habitually resort to needlessly expensive or inappropriate care will be called to task, perhaps even dropped from the preferred list.

But what if getting "high marks" simply means lavishing inappropriate care on patients?

Contributing to the high mortality figure was the inappropriate medical care given en route to the hospital.

We care for a population that comes to us with medical problems that are often advanced and complicated because of neglect or inappropriate care.

Dr. Dhabuwala also denied that he had ever given inappropriate care to his patients, including in the cases of the hysterectomies.

We all cross the roads, perhaps without looking, and we all take inappropriate care.

Pruning out inappropriate care is only sensible - but it is not rationing.

Health plans say they establish such financial incentives to deter inappropriate and unnecessary care.