SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1980        FILED ON: 1/16/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1040

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act to Promote Wellness for Persons in the Service of the Commonwealth..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section:

Section 24: Employees who participate in a wellness program as developed by the Department of Public Health may be eligible for reduced premiums, copayments, or other incentives as determined by the Group Insurance Commission. A wellness program shall encourage activities that lead to desired health outcomes, including smoking cessation, diabetes screening for early detection, teen pregnancy prevention, cancer screening for early detection and stroke education for enrolled individuals.  The Department of Public Health shall publish an annual report on: (1) the number of enrollees who meet at least one wellness goal; (2) any reduction of copayments or premiums; and (3) any other incentive provided because enrollees met wellness goals.  The report shall be submitted to the general court by filing it with the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means.