Premium Discounts for COVID-19 Vaccination Generally Must be Offered as Part of a Wellness Program
On Oct. 4, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs addressing rules regarding premium incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid coverage of preventive services for COVID-19.
Premium Incentives for COVID-19 Vaccinations
The FAQs clarify that a group health plan (or health insurance issuer offering coverage in connection with a group health plan) may offer participants a premium discount for receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. However, plans generally may not condition eligibility for benefits or coverage on vaccination status, and any discount must comply with the final wellness program rules.
Under these rules, a premium discount that requires an individual to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination would be considered an activity-only wellness program, which is a type of health-contingent wellness program. These programs must comply with the regulations’ five nondiscrimination criteria, including an incentive limit and a requirement to offer a reasonable alternative standard in some cases. The maximum permissible reward (or penalty) under a health-contingent wellness program that is part of a group health plan (and is not related to tobacco use) is 30% of the cost of coverage.
Article from or HR Library, HR360
