Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/233760
insight on H ealth & Wellness By R . J. Foste r Healthy savings Affordable Care Act provisions allow employer incentives for making healthy choices R ising fears over increasing costs of health insurance because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have created a surge of interest in wellness and prevention programs. "Wellness is a logical progression for companies that employ other benefit strategies (such as high-deductible w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m health plans) to support personal accountability in health care use," says Deb Anderson, director of health promotion for Network Health in Menasha. "Now, companies support healthy lifestyle choices by providing tools and support for employees to make simple changes that can have a big impact." The ACA gives employers increased ability to encourage participation in wellness programs. Employee incentives can be up to 30 percent of the cost of coverage, and up to 50 percent for special programs such as smoking cessation. And while wellness programs are always optional, the new law allows employers to [continued] » J a n u a r y 2 014 • Insight | 33