Medical care ratio

Medical cost ratio (MCR) is a metric used in managed health care to measure medical costs as a percentage of premium revenues. It is calculated by dividing those premiums allocated for fully insured or self-funded health care coverage into the total expenses for inpatient, professional (physicians and other licensed providers), outpatient, and pharmacy. As a general rule, a medical cost ratio of 85% or less is desirable. Some insurers now call MCR "benefit cost ratio" (BCR).