A corporate medical department's role in medical benefits

Concerns about the increasing cost of medical care, compounded by quality and access considerations have resulted in an expanding role for our corporate medical department in several related areas. On the level of the provision of care, we extend not only direct medical attention but also testing services. Wiser consumers are the goal of such health education efforts and our health promotion and patient advocate programs. Additional efforts to encourage meaningful and cost-efficient health care include in-house case management and various medical insurance plan revisions. Negotiation by the medical department with local health care providers can have a direct impact on the cost of care. These different activities complement one another and are fostered by a mutually supportive working relationship with the medical benefits department.