Corporate Synergies Explains What's Legal When it Comes to Wellness Programs.MT. LAUREL, N.J. -- Corporate Synergies explains that until now, fear of personal and corporate law suits and fines has prevented employers from enforcing wellness and disease management programs. That has all changed. Once employers understand the legal dos and don'ts of the final HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191) Also known as the "Kennedy-Kassebaum Act," this U.S. law protects employees' health insurance coverage when they change or lose their jobs (Title I) and provides standards for patient health, nondiscrimination non·dis·crim·i·na·tion n. 1. Absence of discrimination. 2. The practice or policy of refraining from discrimination. non rules (effective for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2007), they can wield wield tr.v. wield·ed, wield·ing, wields 1. To handle (a weapon or tool, for example) with skill and ease. 2. To exercise (authority or influence, for example) effectively. See Synonyms at handle. a "big stick" to enforce compliance with full protection. First, they need to understand what is permissible per·mis·si·ble adj. Permitted; allowable: permissible tax deductions; permissible behavior in school. per·mis . ANSWERS TO YOUR PRIVACY QUESTIONS! * How much more can you charge employees for your health plans depending on their various health activities? * Can I terminate an employee's coverage for non-compliance? * Can I enforce mandatory participation in wellness and disease management programs? * What type of incentives can I give employees to do the right thing? * What if employees can't accomplish these goals? * How do I accommodate an employee's physician and still comply with the alternative care provisions? * What are my options to handle spouses who represent 30-40% of claims? * Now that I am personally and corporately protected, how do I develop a plan that my employees embrace and believe is in their best interest without appearing like I am "big brother?" Eric Raymond, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Corporate Synergies, states, "Knowing the likely course of future regulatory change, the employer can initiate a program today that will mesh seamlessly with tomorrow's push toward lifestyle-centered benefit plans." WHAT CAN AN EMPLOYER DO? * By understanding the boundaries of permissible incentives, an employer can structure wellness programs that really drive the long-term health of its employees. * Through careful design of program elements, spouses and dependents (the often unseen drivers of cost escalation es·ca·late v. es·ca·lat·ed, es·ca·lat·ing, es·ca·lates v.tr. To increase, enlarge, or intensify: escalated the hostilities in the Persian Gulf. v.intr. ) can become an integral part of the group's overall health improvement. * Using properly developed HIPAA 'firewalls,' employers can pinpoint areas of potential abuse and develop programs that target the specific needs of their population...no more shotgun approach 'shotgun approach' A diagnostic philosophy in which every conceivable parameter is measured, especially in a Pt with an obscure disease, to detect rare conditions that may cause a particular Sx. See Defensive medicine. Cf Screening. to wellness! * Employers can determine whether an immediate increase in benefits can actually result in decreased insurance premiums. * Structuring the incentive and design strategies correctly enables employees who would otherwise ignore calls for improved health to become the plan's most ardent (Ardent Software, Inc., Westboro, MA) A database vendor formed in 1998 as the merger of VMARK Software, Unidata and O2 Technology. Its products included the UniVerse and UniData databases and DataStage data warehouse utility. proponents. About Corporate Synergies Group, Inc. Corporate Synergies is a full-service benefits consultant and brokerage firm. The company manages more than $3/4 billion in healthcare premiums, and utilizes a unique suite of services combined with innovative technology to deliver cost-effective benefit solutions to both employers and employees. |
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