"While the standard in the Proposed EEOC Rule for determining whether a program is reasonably designed to promote health is similar to the standard articulated in the FAQ guidance, the HIPAA Wellness Rule standard applies only to health-contingent programs while the standard in the Proposed EEOC Rule applies to all wellness programs, including participatory programs.... The Proposed EEOC Rule provides that offering a reasonable alternative standard and giving notice to the employee of that alternative as part of a health-contingent program under the HIPAA Wellness Rule would likely fulfill an employer's obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. The EEOC goes on to note, however, that the ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for participatory programs even though the HIPAA Wellness Rule does not require participatory programs to provide reasonable alternative standards."  MORE >>