1

Optum Medical Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Follow the payment Security policy and procedures according to Optum Medical guidelines * Answers ... Schedule and coordinate all patient appointments as directed * Maintain an organized and clean work ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Optum Medical Director information

See salary details

$13K

$232.4K

$357K

How much do optum medical director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for optum medical director in the United States is $232,369.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $198,000.00 and $284,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Optum Medical Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optum Medical Director, you need a medical degree (MD or DO), board certification in a relevant specialty, and substantial clinical experience. Familiarity with healthcare management systems, utilization review tools, and knowledge of regulatory compliance (such as NCQA or CMS guidelines) are typically required. Leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills are vital for driving clinical excellence and collaborating across teams. These competencies ensure effective oversight of clinical programs, improved patient outcomes, and alignment with organizational goals in a complex healthcare environment.

What is the difference between Optum Medical Director vs Optum Medical Physician?

AspectOptum Medical DirectorOptum Medical Physician
Required CredentialsMedical degree, medical license, leadership experienceMedical degree, medical license, clinical experience
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, leadership, strategic planningClinical, patient care, direct medical services
Employer & Industry UsageHealthcare management, insurance, health servicesHospitals, clinics, outpatient facilities
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership roles in healthcare organizationsClinical roles providing direct patient care

The Optum Medical Director typically focuses on administrative leadership, strategic planning, and overseeing healthcare operations, requiring both medical credentials and leadership experience. In contrast, the Optum Medical Physician primarily provides direct patient care in clinical settings. Both roles are integral to healthcare delivery but differ in responsibilities and work environment.

What does an Optum Medical Director do?

An Optum Medical Director is a physician leader responsible for overseeing clinical programs, ensuring quality care, and providing medical expertise within Optum, a health services and innovation company. Their duties often include reviewing cases for medical necessity, supporting utilization management, and collaborating with healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes. They may also participate in policy development, clinical guideline implementation, and training initiatives to align with Optum's standards and goals.

What are the typical collaboration opportunities for an Optum Medical Director within cross-functional teams?

As an Optum Medical Director, you will frequently collaborate with a wide range of professionals, including clinical teams, data analysts, quality improvement specialists, and administrative staff. Your role often involves working closely with these groups to develop care management strategies, review clinical protocols, and improve patient outcomes. Effective communication and the ability to bridge clinical and operational objectives are key to successfully leading initiatives and ensuring alignment across departments. This collaborative environment not only enhances your leadership skills but also provides valuable exposure to various facets of healthcare management.
More about Optum Medical Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Optum Medical Director jobs? Cities with the most Optum Medical Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optum Medical jobs? The most popular types of Optum Medical jobs are:
What states have the most Optum Medical Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Optum Medical Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Optum Medical Director job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $232,369 per year, or $111.7 per hour.
Medical Director - Vascular Surgery - Remote

Medical Director - Vascular Surgery - Remote

UnitedHealth Group

Phoenix, AZ • Remote

$248K - $373K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 4 days ago


UnitedHealth Group rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 140 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

225th of 871 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Clinical Advocacy & Support has an unrelenting focus on the customer journey and ensuring we exceed expectations as we deliver clinical coverage and medical claims reviews. Our role is to empower providers and members with the tools and information needed to improve health outcomes, reduce variation in care, deliver seamless experience, and manage health care costs.

The Medical Director provides physician support to Enterprise Clinical Services operations, the organization responsible for the initial clinical review of service requests for Enterprise Clinical Services.  The Medical Director collaborates with Enterprise Clinical Services leadership and staff to establish, implement, support, and maintain clinical and operational processes related to benefit coverage determinations, quality improvement and cost effectiveness of service for members. The Medical Director's activities primarily focus on the application of clinical knowledge in various utilization management activities with a focus on pre-service benefit and coverage determination or medical necessity (according to the benefit package), and on communication regarding this process with both network and non-network physicians, as well as other Enterprise Clinical Services.

The Medical Director collaborates with a multidisciplinary team and is actively involved in the management of medical benefits. The collaboration often involves the member's primary care provider or specialist physician. It is the primary responsibility of the medical director to ensure that the appropriate and most cost-effective quality medical care is provided to members.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.  

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Conduct coverage reviews based on individual member plan benefits and national and proprietary coverage review policies, render coverage determinations
  • Document clinical review findings, actions, and outcomes in accordance with policies, and regulatory and accreditation requirements
  • Engage with requesting providers as needed in peer-to-peer discussions
  • Be knowledgeable in interpreting existing benefit language and policies in the process of clinical coverage reviews
  • Participate in daily clinical rounds as requested
  • Communicate and collaborate with network and non-network providers in pursuit of accurate and timely benefit determinations for plan participants while educating providers on benefit plans and medical policy
  • Communicate and collaborate with other internal partners
  • Call coverage rotation

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

  • M.D or D.O.
  • Board certification in General Surgery through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) with strong focus in Vascular Surgery
  • Active unrestricted license to practice medicine
  • 5 years of clinical practice experience after completing residency training
  • Sound understanding of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)
  • Experience performing vascular surgeries and procedures
  • Solid PC skills, specifically using MS Word, Outlook, and Excel
  • Proven ability to participate in call coverage rotation 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in utilization and clinical coverage review
  • Proven excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, facilitation skills
  • Proven data analysis and interpretation aptitude
  • Proven innovative problem-solving skills
  • Proven excellent skills for both clinical and non-clinical audiences

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

Compensation for this specialty generally ranges from $248,500 to $373,000. Total cash compensation includes base pay and bonus and is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience and may increase over time based on productivity and performance in the role. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.


What UnitedHealth Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom