The Role and Value of Corporate Medical Directors in Employer Benefits Management

Abstract

Objective Knowledge of health-related employer benefits is considered a core competency by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This study seeks to understand how this translates into practice. Methods An electronic survey was e-mailed to members of American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Corporate Medicine and Health and Human Performance Sections; Integrated Benefits Institute; and Employer Health Innovation Roundtable. Results One hundred nineteen responses were received, including 54 from corporate medical directors (CMDs) and 43 from employee benefits professionals, from a variety of industries. Fifty percent of CMDs reported expertise in designing benefits, but only 25% are engaged with health benefits. The majority of CMDs thought that their involvement was important, while the majority of benefits professionals thought that it was not important. Conclusions Many CMDs report having benefits expertise but being underutilized while others report not having expertise.