Factors affecting the frequency of value-focused health activities and policies by employers.

Objective: We sought to gather employer perspectives about value-focused activities (VFAs), intentions to make decisions based on value, and other factors affecting decisions.

Methods: Health decision-makers (n = 174), both American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine members and corporate HR/benefits directors, responded to an Internet-based questionnaire.

Results: Of a total of 32 listed VFAs, companies reported, on average, performing 5.2 activities currently and considering 2.6. Twenty-five percent of companies reported doing eight or more. The most common VFAs were providing access to flu shots, centers of excellence, and wellness programs. Greater access to detailed outcome data was associated with doing more VFAs, as was greater accountability for absence, disability, and productivity outcomes.

Conclusions: Employers vary widely in the number of VFAs in which they participate. Decision-makers with more information about, and accountability for, value outcomes reported doing more VFAs.