Employ a wellness program that creates benefits and growth for your business.
Implementing a comprehensive wellness program can yield a multitude of advantages and benefits. These wellness initiatives not only promote a holistic approach to health but also play a pivotal role in preventing potential liabilities. By adhering to best practices for disclosure and documentation, businesses can navigate through complex regulations, such as ERISA, HIPAA, and taxation requirements, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks. Fostering a culture of transparency and accountability through stringent document retention requirements and disclosure obligations can fortify the integrity of your wellness program, paving the way for a safer and healthier workplace environment. Anticipating the involvement of enforcement agencies such as the EEOC, CMS, DOL, IRS, and state and local authorities, businesses can align their wellness programs with regulatory expectations, positioning themselves for sustainable growth and success.
Learning Objectives
- You will be able to describe your wellness program, identify additional wellness opportunities, and articulate their value.
- You will be able to identify legally permissible wellness programs.
- You will be able to maintain documentation to be prepared to respond to agency audits and inquiries.
- You will be able to assess the nature of agency communications to determine the nature of the agency’s activities so that you can respond appropriately.
Agenda
Introduction
- Defining Wellness
- Health Care and Disability Costs
- Confronting Absenteeism, Presenteeism, and Retention
Why Do We Have Wellness Programs?
- Who Definition
- Wellness Wheel
- Types of Wellness Programs
- Workshops/Seminars
- Webinars
- Apps
- Workplace Support Groups
- One on One
- Preventative Measures
- Health Education
- Screening
- Lifestyle Management
- Nutrition
- Fitness
- Sleep
- Social/Spiritual
- Disease Management
- Stress Management
- Client-Centered Care
- Mental Health and Employee Wellbeing
- Happy and Healthy
- Bias Reduction
- Impact on Workplace Safety
- Safe Spaces
- Ergonomics
- Injury Prevention
How Do You Know If Your Wellness Program Is Creating Potential Liability?
- ERISA and HIPAA
- The EEOC
- Taxation
- State and Local Activities
Best Practices for Disclosure and Documentation
- Document Retention Requirements
- Disclosure Obligations
- Designing and Administering Reasonable Alternative Standards
- Claims Procedures Best Practices
What to Expect From Agency Enforcement Actions
- EEOC
- CMs and DOL
- IRS
- State and Local Enforcement
Speakers
Liza A. Wade, MS, CHES,
Liza Wade- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
- Specializes in Workplace Wellness
- Provides personal consultations for an integrative approach to health and wellbeing
- M.S. degree in Health Promotion, Maryland University of Integrative Health; Certificate in Herbal Studies
Tonie Bitseff,
Buchalter- Member of the Corporate Law and the Labor & Employment Practice Groups in Buchalter’s Seattle office
- Over 20 years of experience serving as ERISA counsel to employee benefit plans and employers
- Addresses legal issues in design, implementation, administration, corrections, and conflict resolution related to health plans, severance plans, life insurance, disability benefits, wellness plans, 125 plans, individual account plans (HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs), retirement plans, and other forms of compensation
- Assists clients with design, diligence review, internal audits, benefit outsourcing, vendor management, coverage issues, ERISA fiduciary liability, ERISA claims and appeals processes, and government audits
- She serves as ERISA counsel supporting contract negotiations and business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions
- LL.M. degree in taxation, University of Washington School of Law; J.D. degree, Seattle University School of Law; B.A. degree in speech communications, University of Washington
- Can be contacted at 206-319-7042 or tbitseff@buchalter.com
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for benefits and human resource managers, attorneys, presidents, vice presidents, business owners and managers, insurance and claims professionals, CFOs, and controllers.
