The healthy workforce act of 2009

If passed, the Healthy Workforce Act would amend the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to provide a credit for the costs employers incur in implementing wellness programs for their employees.

The bill provides an annual credit for employees participating in wellness programs of $200 per employee for the first 200 employees and $100 per year for additional employees.

To claim the credit, workplace wellness programs need to be certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and consist of the following components:

1. Health Awareness Component
    a. Health education
    b. Health screenings

2. Employee Engagement Component
    a. Workplace wellness committee
    b. Employee participation tracking

3. Behavior Change Component – encouraging healthy living through counseling, seminars, online programs or self-help materials.

4. Supportive Environment Component – including on-site policies promoting health and wellness, participation incentives, and the opportunity for employees to influence the workplace wellness program.

Read our tips for starting a workplace wellness program on our Web site.