Implementing the Affordable Care Act, GINA, and other Discrimination Laws into Your Wellness Program - Webinar (Recorded)

The federal government believes wellness programs can cut healthcare costs and decrease the cost of employer-sponsored health insurance by promoting health and preventing disease. The new federal regulations have divided wellness programs into two types with specific rules for each. A major piece of the regulations addresses the issue of employee discrimination based on health/disability, age, gender and other protected classes. The U. S. Department of Labor, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services regulations require that regardless of the type of wellness program, every individual participating should be able to receive the full amount of any reward or incentive, regardless of any health factor. Specific regulations have been created to prevent employee discrimination in wellness programs. Employers have until January 1, 2014 to ensure that their wellness programs comply with the final rule. Wellness programs have progressed from merely a newsletter, exercise incentives and enhancing one’s diet, to a more comprehensive strategy to purposely try to improve employee health while decreasing the employer’s healthcare costs. Wellness programs are increasingly considered a benefit for the employee and used to incent and reward employee engagement with the program. One of the challenges that has been created along the way is discrimination of employees based on their protected class such as a disability, race, or gender. It is imperative for organizations to recognize the need to incorporate non-discriminatory options in their wellness strategy for all employees.