Wellness and PPACA Compliance

December 18, 2013
Hosted by Susan Doherty

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Guest Information

Episode Description

The Affordable Care Act kicks into full gear on January first and with it comes new rules with how company wellness programs are regulated. Wellness plan administrators across the nation are checking to make sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. Judith Wethall, Littler employee benefits attorney, will share with us the compliance issues surrounding such things as HIPAA non-discrimination, ERISA rules, safe harbor language, reasonable alternatives, incentives and why tobacco usage is treated differently. And even though the Employer Mandate has been delayed until 2015, it’s time to start reviewing your plans now. We'll also take a look at how the ACA interacts with other laws, such as the ADA, ADEA and GINA.

Investing in the Future: Creating Wealth Through Health

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Our show is designed to help employers understand the complex issues surrounding employee wellness programs. We take deep dives into specific program offerings to learn how and why they work. We look at ways to improve employee engagement and get them excited about wellness as a way of life. We talk to employers about best practices and hear from experts on healthcare reform and legal issues. We cover absenteeism, productivity, incentives, disease management, fitness, stress, ergonomic design and more.

The health of our nation is no longer about personal choices. Obesity and diseases affect us all. They also affect the bottom line of all businesses, large and small. Creating a culture of health in the workplace is no longer optional, it is essential to a healthy balance sheet. Health programming need not be expensive. Failure to actively participate is costly.

My goals are to inform, enlighten and sometimes entertain you. Let’s make a difference in our world today!

Susan Doherty

Susan Doherty’s goal is to get everyone moving towards better health. She previously managed the wellness programs for a restaurant chain with up to 50,000 employees nationwide. There she implemented premium incentive programs, biometric screenings, activity based pay-for-prevention and employee coaching programs. She also managed a corporate gym, weight loss programming, anti-smoking campaigns and national health discounts. Susan was also the onsite ergonomic program manager for up to 800 corporate employees.

Susan holds a Human Resources Certification from San Diego State and is a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist and a passionate health coach. She is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, currently sits on the Board of Directors of NAWBO-SD and is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management. She is a past board member of the Corporate Health and Wellness Assoc. and past winner of the Corporate Wellness Leadership Award through CHWA, a past presenter at their national conference and other wellness conferences.

Her businesses include The Healthy Well, a corporate wellness company, Working Wellness Solutions and Action Ergonomics. She and her associates help your company with all aspects of your health and wellness programs from design consulting to 'feet on the ground' management at your sites. They are employee focused and budget conscious. Susan is a passionate speaker and available to speak to any size group.

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