What to measure
Evidence before assumptions.
- Governance calendar completion
- Contract inventory quality
- Decision documentation
- Vendor accountability
← The Framework
Component 09
Fiduciary Governance, Contracts & Accountability
Can the employer demonstrate that the plan is being managed prudently and in the interests of participants?
Clear definition
Fiduciary governance, contracts and accountability establish a repeatable process for oversight, documentation, procurement and vendor management throughout the year.
Common mistakes
What weakens performance.
- Relying exclusively on an annual renewal meeting
- Leaving advisor or vendor compensation unclear
- Treating compliance as a once-a-year checklist
High-performance practices
Build a deliberate approach.
01
Maintain a fiduciary committee and governance calendar
02
Document decisions, data requests and vendor reviews
03
Build audit rights, performance standards and transparency into agreements
Book connection
Chapters 18–19: Governing the work
Chapters 18–19
These chapters translate fiduciary responsibility into an operating cadence for decisions, documentation and vendor oversight.
Explore the bookHealth Plan Score connection
Fiduciary Governance & Accountability
Is there documented, year-round oversight of contracts, compensation, decisions and vendor performance?
A lower score signals the need for a governance calendar, decision record and clear accountability.
Take the Health Plan ScoreEmployer Benefits IQ resource
Health Plan Governance Calendar
A printable Employer Benefits IQ worksheet for defining the decision, evidence, accountable owner and review cadence.
Author perspective
By Corry Hull, REBC, CSFS — Author, The High Performance Health Plan and Founder, Employer Benefits IQ.
Explore the Health Plan Score