Health Policy Solutions looks at impact of ACA on wellness programs

Health Policy Solutions looked at the Affordable Care Act's impact on workplace wellness programs, including that of Oakwood Homes in Denver.

Excerpt: 

For decades, corporations have experimented with wellness programs in an attempt to improve their employees' health and reduce the cost of health insurance. Lunch-hour yoga classes, free flu shots, smoking cessation programs and other offerings have often been provided, occasionally with incentives for participants.

Now, as additional elements of the Affordable Care Act are implemented, organizations and their employees will have new encouragement to get in the game.

Starting with health insurance policies effective Jan. 1, 2014, losing weight, controlling cholesterol, quitting smoking or even just attempting to achieve better health could be profitable. In some states, employees could see their premiums cut by as much as 30 to 50 percent for achieving certain wellness goals. Colorado has limited them to a maximum of 20 percent of premiums.

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