Workplace Wellness : Lobby groups take aim at wellness programs.

Given the immense 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.

In particular, the groups seek to limit health promotion programs in which employees’ share of their medical costs are directly tied to their willingness to participate in a health promotion program.

HIPAA’s non-discrimination rules prohibit corporations from creating negative financial incentives for staff members with health risks.

For example, 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 tobacco use cessation program.

Reason -  the law does allow for financial incentives to personnel who willingly participate in wellness programs.

The watchdog groups seek greater regulation to make sure incentives and discounts are used only as rewards for healthy behavior, not as a thinly veiled form of discrimination against high-risk employees.