Gatekeeper

gate·keep·er (gtkpr)

n.

A primary-care provider, often in the setting of a managed-care organization, who coordinates patient care and provides referrals to specialists, hospitals, laboratories, and other medical services.

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gatekeeper,

a health care professional, usually a primary care physician or a physician extender, who is the patient's first contact with the health care system and triages the patient's further access to the system.

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Gatekeeper

Managed care
(1) A person, organization, or legislation that selectively limits access to a service; in health care, primary-care physicians—e.g., family practitioners, general practitioners, internists, paediatricians and PROs—and utilization review committees, respectively, function as direct or indirect gatekeepers
(2) A physician who manages a patient’s healthcare services, coordinates referrals, and helps control healthcare costs by screening out unnecessary services; many health plans insist on a gatekeeper’s prior approval for special services, in the absence of which the claim will not be covered
Molecular biology The initial gene mutated in a ‘cascade’ of mutations, leading to the development of a disease

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gatekeeper

Managed care 1. A person, organization, or legislation that selectively limits access to a service; in health care, primary-care physicians–eg family practitioners, general practitioners, internists, pediatricians and PROs and utilization review committees, respectively, function as direct or indirect gatekeepers 2. Care coordinator A physician who manages a Pt's healthcare services, coordinates referrals and helps control healthcare costs by screening out unnecessary services; many health plans insist on a gatekeeper's prior approval for special services or the claim will not be covered