Wellness Programs : Lobby groups take aim at wellness programs.
Given the gigantic growth of wellness programs over the last two years, it was inevitable resistance would creep up among watchdog groups.
In Washington, lobbyists have spearheaded a push for Congress, the DOL and IRS to crack down on “punitive” wellness programs.
Specifically, the groups seek to limit wellness programs in which employees’ share of their health costs are directly tied to their willingness to take part in a wellness program.
HIPAA’s non-discrimination rules prohibit employers from building negative financial incentives for staff with health risks.
For instance, you can’t raise someone’s premium share because he or she smokes. What you can do is offer a discount when someone completes a use of tobacco cessation program.
Reason – the law does allow for financial incentives to personnel who willingly participate in health promotion programs.
The watchdog groups seek greater regulation to be sure incentives and discounts are used only as rewards for healthy behavior, not as a thinly veiled form of discrimination against high-risk staff.