Workplace Wellness Programs: Federal Agencies Weigh In (Update on Contraceptive Coverage)

April 18 update on contraceptive coverage: On April 15, 2015, Supreme Court Justice Alito stayed the final order of the federal Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Zubik v. Burwell.  The Third Circuit had denied rehearing of its order denying relief in a case in which two Catholic dioceses, among other religious organizations, had challenged the administration’s latest accommodation of religious objections to compliance with the contraceptive coverage mandate issued under the Affordable Care Act.  The administration had proposed the accommodation, which merely requires religious organizations to notify the government of an objection to compliance and then leaves the government responsible for ensuring compliance,  in response to an earlier Supreme Court order which had indicated this approach was acceptable.   Justice Alito gave the government until April 20 to respond.  The contraceptive issue is now again before the Supreme Court. Original post: Workplace wellness programs are very controversial.  Employers believe that they improve employee health, reduce absenteeism, and cut the cost of employee health benefit programs.  They are encouraged in this belief by wellness program vendors, who aggressively tout the benefits of their programs.  Disability advocates, on the other hand, are concerned that wellness programs are perpetuating discrimination against the disabled and health status underwriting.  Privacy advocates worry about who has access to the sens...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Equity and Disparities Featured Insurance and Coverage Americans With Disabilities Act Employer-Sponsored Insurance privacy workplace wellness programs Source Type: blogs