The growth of managed care in the U.S. was spurred by the enactment of the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973. While managed care techniques were pioneered by health maintenance organizations, they are now used by a variety of private health benefit programs.
1 Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and tissues beneath the skin. 2  Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the types of bacteria that are usually responsible for cellulitis, although many types of bacteria can cause the condition. Sometimes cellulitis appears in areas where the skin has broken open, such as the skin near ulcers or surgical wounds. 2  Symptoms and signs include redness, tenderness, swelling, and warmth of the affected area. 3  Cellulitis is not contagious.
Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. It occurs when bacteria get into the tissues beneath the skin. The bacteria that cause cellulitis often live harmlessly on the skin. But if the surface of your skin is damaged, they can get into the layers underneath and cause an infection. The break in the skin may be so small it's not noticeable. It may be caused by: 1  a cut or graze. 2  a burn.  an animal or human bite.