The final rules continue to support “participatory wellness programs,” such as those that reimburse the cost of membership in a fitness center, provide a reward to employees for attending a monthly health education seminar and those that reward employees who complete a health risk assessment.
The rules also outline standards for nondiscriminatory “health-contingent wellness programs,” which include programs that provide a reward to those who do not use or decrease their use of tobacco and programs that reward those who achieve a specified health-related goal.
The final rules also ensure flexibility for employers as it will increase the maximum reward that may be offered under health-contingent wellness programs to 30 percent of the cost of coverage, a ten percent increase from the current amount.
The final rules will be effective for plans beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2014.
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