The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has issued guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that explains how the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) impacts employer-provided group health plans and insurance providers. Among other things, Title I of GINA prohibits group health plans and health insurance issuers from discriminating based… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: Wellness Programs
Survey Suggests PPACA’s Wellness Provisions Will Provide Boost to Wellness Programs
In our review of health care reform’s impact on wellness programs last month, we forecasted that the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) would boost the adoption of workplace wellness programs and help lay the foundation for creating a culture of health and prevention in the workplace. A recent survey, conducted by the… Continue Reading
Wellness as a Strategic Priority – An Interview with Alistair Dornan from Right Management, Part II
We started this conversation with redefining wellness. You have said that the true “potential of wellness initiatives can only be realized when wellness is embedded within the organization’s core business strategy (.pdf).” Q: What do you mean by embedding wellness within a core business strategy?A: Any organisation should begin the conversation thinking of wellness in the… Continue Reading
Health Care Reform Provides Support for Wellness Programs
Many employers already recognize the value of comprehensive wellness programs in reducing health care costs and improving the health and productivity of their workforce. The White House has publicly backed the expanded use of wellness programs through passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA), which President Obama signed into law on… Continue Reading
Comprehensive Analysis Demonstrates that Workplace Wellness Programs Save Money and Reduce Absenteeism
Whether they have implemented a wellness program or are considering doing so, employers consistently ask the same questions: Do wellness programs really reduce benefit costs? If so, by how much? Do such programs reduce absenteeism? How can we measure the benefits versus the costs of such programs? Companies have endeavored to gauge the economic benefits… Continue Reading
Study Reveals Declining Employer Satisfaction with Health Insurers and Demand for Wellness Solutions
A recent study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute imparted less-than-shocking news: employers have become less satisfied with their health insurers. In part due to the poor economic climate, employers of all sizes are taking a critical look at their health benefits strategy and the value they derive from it. What makes this study particularly… Continue Reading
GINA’s Potential Impact on Employee Wellness Programs
As businesses seek proactive solutions to control rising healthcare costs and improve the health and productivity of their workers, wellness programs have become a valuable tool for employers and employees alike. However, a new federal law creates potential restrictions on employers wishing to promote these programs. Intended to encourage individuals to take advantage of advances… Continue Reading