Budget Amendment ID: FY2013-S4-688

EHS 688

Wellness Programs for Small Businesses

Messrs. Richard T. Moore and Joyce moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new section:-

SECTION __. Chapter 176Q of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 7A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 7A. (a) There shall be a small group wellness incentive pilot program to expand the prevalence of employee wellness initiatives by small businesses. The program shall be administered by the board of the connector, in consultation with the department of public health. The program shall provide subsidies and technical assistance for eligible small groups to implement evidence-based employee health and wellness programs to improve employee health, decrease employer health costs and increase productivity.

(b) An eligible small group shall be qualified to participate in the program if:

(1) the eligible small group purchases group coverage through the connector;

(2) the eligible small group enrolls in an evidence-based, employee wellness program offered through the connector;

(3) the eligible small group meets certain minimum criteria, as determined by the connector board; and

(4) the eligible small group meets certain minimum employee participation requirements in the qualified wellness program, as determined by the connector board, in collaboration with the department of public health.

(c) For eligible small groups participating in the program, the connector shall provide an annual subsidy not to exceed 15 per cent of eligible employer health care costs as calculated by the connector board. If the director determines that funds are insufficient to meet the projected costs of enrolling new eligible employers, the director shall impose a cap on enrollment in the program.

(d) The connector shall report annually to the joint committee on community development and small business, the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means on the enrollment in the small business wellness incentive program and evaluate the impact of the program on expanding wellness initiatives for small groups.

(e) The connector shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.