No one doubts the laudable goals of wellness programs. But while questions still swirl about the true effectiveness of wellness programs and their ultimate return on investment, spending on corporate wellness incentives shows no sign of slowing down. Employers plan to spend an average of $594 per employee on wellness-based incentives this year, up 15% from the average of $521 reported in 2013, according to a National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments survey.
Still, wellness programs hold many legal and tax implications for employers, particularly in light of the Affordable Care Act, which allows greater latitude in the amount of financial incentives employers can offer employees and family members who participate in certain types of wellness programs.
