Article Cited from The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 1, 2010 by Cari Tuna

The article Wellness Efforts Face Hurdle published in The Wall Street Journal reports that employers who offer cash incentives for employees or insurance-premium reductions to complete health surveys are in violation of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. This law restricts employers’ and health insurers’ ability to collect and disclose genetic information including family medical history.

According to the article, employers are frustrated  by this restriction claiming that financial incentives are needed to boost participation in wellness programs. Incentives include cash, gift cards or discounts – 64% of those employers who offer wellness programs use incentives to motivate employees to participate.

In debating about the new health care reform act, this issue is becoming even more problematic as to where incentives will play within wellness participation.

By complying within the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, how can employers design a wellness program specifically targeting the prevention or treatment of an illness? Click to read more…