On Feb. 12, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) withdrew two proposed rules it previously issued in January 2021 on wellness programs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA).
Overview of the Proposed Rules
The proposed rules were issued in response to a federal court decision vacating part of prior EEOC rules describing the incentives an employer could offer as part of a wellness program in certain circumstances. The proposed rules would have generally allowed only de minimis incentives to be offered for wellness program participation. Exceptions allowing larger incentives would have applied to health-contingent wellness programs that are part of, or qualify as, group health plans under the ADA rules.
Withdrawal
These proposed rules were withdrawn because they were not published by Jan. 20, 2021, the time of President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Upon inauguration, the President issued a memorandum requiring all agencies to immediately withdraw any proposed rules that had not yet been published. As a result, the next steps for these proposed rules are currently under consideration.
For more information on benefits offerings or on what you can do to control your health care costs, contact Ollis/Akers/Arney Insurance & Business Advisors today.
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