A method and network element are provided that manage bearers in a wireless communication system. The method and network element receives a bearer request associated with a user equipment (UE) and a service data flow (SDF). In response to determining that a value of a first quality of service parameter associated with the SDF is the same as a value of the corresponding first quality of service parameter of a bearer currently allocated to the UE, and that a value of the second quality of service parameter associated with the SDF is different than a value of the corresponding second quality of service parameter of the bearer currently allocated to the UE, the method and network element modifies the value of the second quality of service parameter of the bearer currently allocated to the UE to produce a modified bearer and maps the SDF to the modified bearer.