Agencies issue proposed rule, guidance on workplace wellness programs

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission yesterday issued a proposed rule describing how Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to employer wellness programs that are part of group health plans. The rule will be published in Monday’s Federal Register, and comments will be accepted through June 19. For more information, see the EEOC factsheet and Question and Answer document. In addition, the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued answers to Frequently Asked Questions on wellness program requirements under the Affordable Care Act; the HHS Office for Civil Rights issued an FAQ on workplace wellness programs under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy, security and breach notification rules; and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued an FAQ on health insurance market reforms and wellness programs. For more information, see the HHS blog post.