Did you know that the Affordable Care Act allows employers to include Employee Wellness Plans as a means to cut health care costs? According to a Gallup poll, more than 85% of employers with 1000 or more employees offer Employee Wellness Programs, but only 60% of these companies' employees are aware of such plans and only 24% take advantage of them. Wellness programs are intended to reward employees for participating in programs that enable employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Sounds good, right? The Affordable Care Act sets certain standards for these programs. Now, if you could cut your costs and know that you are also complying with the ACA, you might jump at the opportunity. Here is a classic example of where "Look before you leap" might be safe advice, though. While your wellness plan might pass ACA muster, you it may not satisfy the ADA requirements--according to the EEOC. This week the EmpLAWyerologist will examine requirements under both laws and attempt to make some sense of them, after the jump...

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