title: Workplace wellness programs: how regulatory flexibility might undermine success.
abstract: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act revised the law related to workplace wellness programs, which have become part of the nation's broader health strategy. Health-contingent programs are required to be reasonably designed. However, the regulatory requirements are lax and might undermine program efficacy in terms of both health gains and financial return. I propose a method for the government to support a best-practices approach by considering an accreditation or certification process. Additionally I discuss the need for program evaluation and the potential for employers to be subject to litigation if programs are not carefully implemented.
authors.affiliation: Jennifer L. Pomeranz is with the Department of Public Health, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pomeranz
mesh_terms: D033161:Government Regulation; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration