Last year’s health care reform legislation, although still up for further debate in Congress and facing a constitutionality ruling later this year in the U.S. Supreme Court, will result in major changes for companies and their health care insurers. Many experts in the health care and human resources (HR) community are predicting substantial growth in employee wellness programs and, with these programs, greater use of incentives in order to encourage healthier lifestyles.
As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, employers will be able to offer greater incentives beginning in 2014 to employees participating in corporate wellness programs or for meeting other health targets.