<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 31.11.14.03" title_num="31" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="14" heading="Components of a Wellness Benefit.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Each wellness benefit shall include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A health risk assessment that is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Available at no cost to all employees covered under the small employer's wellness benefit; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Completed by each employee on a voluntary basis;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Written feedback to each employee who completes the health risk assessment, with recommendations for lowering risks identified in the completed health risk assessment; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A financial incentive to promote:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Preventive care;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Healthy behavior and lifestyle choices; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Participation in a disease management program or case management program.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The financial incentive described in §A(3) of this regulation may be in the form of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A direct reward of financial value given to the employee, such as a monetary reward or a gift card; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A reduction in the employee's copayments, coinsurance, or deductible that would otherwise be payable under the small employer's health benefit plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>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.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>