The Wellness Regulations are Finally Here!

The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury issued the final regulation under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to implement the Act’s increase in permissible wellness program rewards from 20% to 30% (and to 50% for smoking cessation programs).

Based on reading the regulation and conversations with several government officials, it appears that the new version is a considerable improvement from last Thanksgiving’s proposed regulation. In particular, it would appear that the rules have been considerably tightened with respect to when alternative pathways to obtain a reward must be provided and when the “medical appropriateness standard” comes into play.

ERIC members and guests can read more here.

The final regulations are available here.

Workplace Wellness Programs Study: Final Report is available here.

HHS cover letter is available here.

News release is available here.