1. A. Each wellness benefit shall include:

   1. (1) A health risk assessment that is:

      1. (a) Available at no cost to all employees covered under the small employer's wellness benefit; and
      2. (b) Completed by each employee on a voluntary basis;
   2. (2) Written feedback to each employee who completes the health risk assessment, with recommendations for lowering risks identified in the completed health risk assessment; and

   3. (3) A financial incentive to promote:

      1. (a) Preventive care;
      2. (b) Healthy behavior and lifestyle choices; or
      3. (c) Participation in a disease management program or case management program.

2. B. The financial incentive described in §A(3) of this regulation may be in the form of:

   1. (1) A direct reward of financial value given to the employee, such as a monetary reward or a gift card; or
   2. (2) A reduction in the employee's copayments, coinsurance, or deductible that would otherwise be payable under the small employer's health benefit plan.
3. C. A carrier shall be considered to have satisfied the requirement of §A(3) of this regulation, if the wellness benefit offered by the carrier eliminates the deductible for preventive services only.

Authority: Health General Article, §19-108; Insurance Article, §§2-109, 15-1201, 15-1204(g), and 15-1207(a); Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.05 adopted as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 896); adopted permanently effective July 17, 2008 (35:14 Md. R. 1248)

Regulation .02B amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1594)

Regulation .05A amended effective October 19, 2009 (36:21 Md. R. 1594)