FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6019

C 131 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning employee wellness programs.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Parlette, Kilmer, Jarrett, Tom, Holmquist, Pflug, Shin and Schoesler).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

Background: Health carriers develop rates for small groups based on an adjusted community rate that may be varied for geographic area, family size, age, and wellness activities. Wellness activities include an explicit activity consistent with Department of Health guidelines, such as smoking cessation, injury and accident prevention, reduction of alcohol misuse, appropriate weight reduction, exercise, automobile and motorcycle safety, blood cholesterol reduction, and nutrition education for the purpose of improving enrollee health status and reducing health service costs. A discount for wellness activities may reflect actuarially justified differences in utilization or cost attributed to such programs.

Summary: Health insurance carriers may allow a wellness discount of up to 20 percent for small employers that develop and implement a wellness program that directly improves employee wellness. Employers must document program activities and may request a reduction in premiums based on three years of experience.

Carriers may review the employer's claim history to determine whether the wellness program has improved employee health, except carriers may not use claims for maternity or prevention services to deny the employer's request. Carriers may consider such areas as improved productivity or a reduction in absenteeism due to illness if documentation is submitted by the employer. Interested employers may work with the carrier to develop a wellness program and a means to track improved employee health.

Votes on Final Passage:

Effective: July 26, 2009