Which managed care plan is characterized by requiring a primary care physician as a gatekeeper?

The managed care plan that requires selection of a primary care physician (PCP) as a gatekeeper is the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). In an HMO, members must choose a primary care physician who is responsible for coordinating their healthcare services. This PCP manages patient care and must provide referrals to specialists within the network. This model is designed to promote preventive care and manage costs by controlling access to healthcare services.

Other types of plans, such as PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) and POS (Point of Service) plans, offer different levels of flexibility in choosing healthcare providers and do not strictly require a gatekeeper. Indemnity insurance operates on a fee-for-service basis without the need for a primary care physician, allowing direct access to specialists without referrals. Thus, the defining feature of a PCP as a gatekeeper is unique to HMOs among the options provided.