At The Podium
Wellness Programs — Carrots and Sticks, Compliance and Risks
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 Bill Freudenrich |
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 Charlie Plumb |
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With health insurance costs on the rise, an increasing number of employers have begun implementing company-sponsored wellness programs as a way to encourage employees to live healthier lifestyles. Done correctly, it can be a win-win situation: As employees get healthier, companies are in a better position to control costs, reduce absences, and improve productivity and morale in the workplace. But sponsoring a wellness program that is well designed and legally compliant isn’t as simple as offering the proverbial carrots and sticks to motivate employees.
In this one-hour webinar, employee benefits lawyer Bill Freudenrich and employment attorney Charlie Plumb discuss advanced compliance issues dealing with employer-sponsored wellness programs, including those targeting tobacco cessation, weight loss and nutrition, and physical activity. Topics include:
- Employer risks and rewards
- What incentives (and penalties) are permissible under the law… and what’s not
- What you need to know about the differences between participation-only programs versus standard-based programs
- Legal compliance with anti-discrimination laws and recently released final changes to HIPAA regulations
- Notice requirements for wellness programs
- Plan design strategies for staying legal
- Considerations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Affordable Care Act, and other federal laws
- Coordinating COBRA, workers’ compensation, and FMLA leave
LINKS
- EmployerLINC Webinar: Wellness Programs — Carrots and Sticks, Compliance and Risks
- Bill Freudenrich’s professional biography and contact information
- Charlie Plumb’s professional biography and contact information
- McAfee & Taft’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group
- McAfee & Taft’s Labor and Employment Group
