Workplace Wellness Programs: How Regulatory Flexibility Might Undermine Success.

COST effectiveness; HEALTH promotion; INDUSTRIAL hygiene; POLICY sciences; QUALITY assurance; RESEARCH; REWARD (Psychology); EVIDENCE-based medicine; PROFESSIONAL practice; EVALUATION of human services programs; PATIENT Protection & Affordable Care Act

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act revised the law related to workplace wellness programs, which have become part of the nation’s broader health strategy. Health-contingent programs are required to be reasonably designed. However, the regulatory requirements are lax and might undermine program efficacy in terms of both health gains and financial return. I propose a method for the government to support a best-practices approach by considering an accreditation or certification process. Additionally I discuss the need for program evaluation and the potential for employers to be subject to litigation if programs are not carefully implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]