I Can Benefit

Given the gigantic growth of health promotion 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” health promotion programs.

Specifically, the groups seek to limit wellness programs in which employees’ share of their healthcare costs are directly tied to their willingness to take part in a wellness program.

HIPAA’s non-discrimination rules prohibit businesss from creating negative financial incentives for personnel with health risks.

For  instance, you can’t raise someone’s premium share because he or she smokes. What you are able to do is offer a discount when someone completes a smoking cessation program.

Reason -  the law does allow for financial incentives to employees 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 healthful behavior, not as a thinly veiled form of discrimination against high-risk employees.