Speaking Engagement

Apr 1, 2008

Wellness Programs: Is Yours in Shape

Health Care Costs and Legal Developments Mandate Strategic and Careful Implementation Webinar
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Address

Webinar

Health Care Costs and Legal Developments Mandate Strategic and Careful Implementation - Webinar

Many employers are trying to manage health care costs by adopting "wellness initiatives" designed to encourage employees to lead healthier lives and take better care of chronic conditions. These initiatives take different forms and implicate benefits and employment discrimination laws.

Our panel, featuring Betty-Jo Saenz, a benefits strategy expert from Motorola, Inc., and three Seyfarth Shaw lawyers will discuss:

  • Wellness Initiative Hits and Misses--How to design these programs to ensure they work effectively.
  • Benefits Law Boundaries--Limitations imposed by HIPAA (including a review of recent U.S. Department of Labor guidance) and the sometimes overlooked ERISA considerations.
  • The Quandary of Which Laws Apply--Does ERISA preempt and thus render invalid state and local laws that seek to protect on discrimination or privacy grounds "unhealthy" lifestyles, such as smoking at home, that wellness plans are intended to discourage?
  • The Americans With Disabilities Act, plus state disability and privacy laws (if not preempted by ERISA)--How these bear on employee wellness programs.

Speakers:

Betty-Jo Saenz, Motorola Inc.
Mark Casciari, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Condon McGlothlen, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
David Weiner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

If you have any questions, please contact Dena Kill at dkill@seyfarth.com.

Materials: