80 FR 66853 - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 210 (October 30, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 210 (October 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 66853-66862 | |
| FR Document | 2015-27734 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 66853-66862] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-27734] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1635 RIN 3046-AB02 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (``EEOC'' or ``Commission'') is issuing a proposed rule that would amend the regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 as they relate to employer wellness programs. The proposed regulations address the extent to which an employer may offer an employee inducements for the employee's spouse who is also a participant in the employer's health plan to provide information about the spouse's current or past health status as part of a health risk assessment administered in connection with the employer's offer of health services as part of an employer-sponsored wellness program. Several technical changes to the existing regulation are also proposed. DATES: Comments regarding this proposal must be received by the Commission on or before December 29, 2015. Please see the section below entitled ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information on submitting comments. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN number 3046-AB02, by any of the following methods:Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. FAX: (202) 663-4114. (There is no toll free FAX number). Only comments of six or fewer pages will be accepted via FAX transmittal, in order to assure access to the equipment. Receipt of FAX transmittals will not be acknowledged, except that the sender may request confirmation of receipt by calling the Executive Secretariat staff at (202) 663-4070 (voice) or (202) 663-4074 (TTY). (These are not toll free numbers). Mail: Bernadette Wilson, Acting Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 131 M Street NE., Washington, DC 20507. Hand Delivery/Courier: Bernadette Wilson, Acting Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 131 M Street NE., Washington, DC 20507. Instructions: The Commission invites comments from all interested parties. All comment submissions must include the agency name and docket number or the Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. Comments need be submitted in only one of the above-listed formats. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Copies of the received comments also will be available for review at the Commission's library, 131 M Street NE., Suite 4NW08R, Washington, DC 20507, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., from December 29, 2015 until the Commission publishes the rule in final form. [[Page 66854]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher J. Kuczynski, Assistant Legal Counsel, at (202) 663-4665 (voice), or Kerry E. Leibig, Senior Attorney Advisor, at (202) 663-4516 (voice), or (202) 663-7026 (TTY). Requests for this notice in an alternative format should be made to the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs at (202) 663-4191 (voice) or (202) 663-4494 (TTY). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction Congress enacted Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (``GINA''), codified at 42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq., to protect job applicants, current and former employees, labor union members, and apprentices and trainees from employment discrimination based on their genetic information. In enacting GINA, Congress noted, ``New knowledge about genetics may allow for the development of better therapies that are more effective against disease or have fewer side effects than current treatments. These advances give rise to the potential misuse of genetic information to discriminate in health insurance and employment.'' See GINA Section 2(1), 42 U.S.C. 2000ff, note. Congress also expressed concerns about common misconceptions that an individual's genetic predisposition for a condition necessarily leads to the individuals developing the condition, explaining that [a]n employer might use information about an employee's genetic profile to deny employment to an individual who is healthy and able to perform the job. With these misconceptions so prevalent, employers may come to rely on genetic testing to ``weed out'' those employees who carry genes associated with diseases. Similarly, genetic traits may come to be used by health insurance companies to deny coverage to those who are seen as ``bad genetic risks.'' Enabling employers, health insurers and others to base decisions about individuals on the characteristics that are assumed to be their genetic destiny would be an undesirable outcome of our national investment in genetic research, and may significantly diminish the benefits that this research offers.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ H. Rep. 110-28, Part 1, 28 (Mar. 5, 2007). Congress enacted GINA to address concerns prevalent at the time that individuals would not take advantage of the increasing number of genetic tests that could inform them as to whether they were at risk of developing specific diseases or disorders due to fear that genetic information would be used to deny health coverage or employment.\2\ Consequently, GINA restricts acquisition and disclosure of genetic information, and includes an absolute prohibition on the use of genetic information in making employment decisions.\3\ The EEOC issued implementing regulations on November 9, 2010, to provide all persons subject to Title II of GINA additional guidance with regard to the law's requirements. See 75 FR 68912 (Nov. 9, 2010). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ See, e.g., S. Rep. No. 110-48, at 7 (2007) (noting that ``a 2004 poll taken by the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University found that 92 percent of those surveyed felt that employers should not have access to genetic test results'' and that ``[f]ears about the possible misuse of genetic knowledge appear to influence the public's desire to protect the privacy of genetic information''); see also id. at 10 (``While people fear discriminatory action based on their genes, they also fear the unauthorized disclosure or collection of genetic information. The need to protect the privacy of genetic information is important. Knowledge that a person has a particular medical condition or genetic trait may be embarrassing or damaging to that individual, or his or her family members.''). \3\ S. Rep. No. 110-48, at 10 (2007); H.R. Rep. No. 110-28, pt. 3, at 29. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title II of GINA prohibits the use of genetic information in employment; restricts employers and other entities covered by GINA \4\ from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information, unless one or more of six narrow exceptions applies; and strictly limits the disclosure of genetic information by GINA covered entities. See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq.; see also 29 CFR 1635.4-1635.9. The statute and the Title II final rule say that ``genetic information'' includes: Information about an individual's genetic tests; information about the genetic tests of a family member; information about the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of an individual (i.e., family medical history); \5\ requests for and receipt of genetic services by an individual or a family member; and genetic information about a fetus carried by an individual or family member or of an embryo legally held by the individual or family member using assisted reproductive technology. See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff(4) and 2000ff-8(b); see also 29 CFR 1635.3. Family members of an individual include someone who is a dependent of an individual through marriage, birth, adoption, or placement for adoption and any other individual who is a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-degree relative of the individual. See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff(3)(A) (defining family member for purposes of GINA to include a dependent within the meaning of section 701(f)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)); see also 29 CFR 1635.3(a).\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ Unless otherwise noted, the term ``GINA'' refers to Title II of GINA. \5\ Congress recognized ``that a family medical history could be used as a surrogate for genetic traits by a health plan or health insurance issuer. A consistent history of a heritable disease in a patient's family may be viewed to indicate that the patient himself or herself is at increased risk for that disease.'' For that reason, Congress believed it was important to include family medical history in the definition of ``genetic information.'' S. Rep. No. 110-48, at 28 (2007). \6\ The Commission's definition of ``dependent'' is solely for purposes of interpreting Title II of GINA, and is not relevant to interpreting the term ``dependent'' under Title I of GINA or under section 701(f)(2) of ERISA and the parallel provisions of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Internal Revenue Code (Code). See the preamble to EEOC's regulations implementing Title II of GINA at 75 FR 68914, note 5 (November 9, 2010) and the preamble to the regulations implementing Title I of GINA at 74 FR 51664, 51666 (October 7, 2009) for additional information. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although similar to Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in that both laws are concerned with limiting the use, acquisition, and disclosure of medical information in the employment setting, GINA, consistent with Congressional concern about the uniquely personal nature of genetic information, provides unique protections. Unlike the ADA, which allows employers to consider medical information in certain limited circumstances (such as using information from a post-offer medical examination to determine an applicant's current ability to perform a job), GINA prohibits employers from using genetic information in employment decisions in all circumstances, with no exceptions.\7\ GINA also is stricter in its limits of the acquisition of protected information than the ADA. For example, even though the ADA allows an employer to require a medical examination of all employees to whom it has offered a particular job, GINA limits the scope of medical examinations for employees who have been offered a particular job insofar as it prohibits inquiries about family medical history or other types of genetic information. GINA likewise prohibits employers from obtaining family medical history or any other type of genetic information through any medical examination required of employees for the purpose of determining continued fitness for duty. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ Sec. 202(a) of Title II of GINA limits employer use of genetic information. Employers cannot ``fail or refuse to hire, or to discharge, any employee, or otherwise discriminate against any employee with respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment'' or otherwise ``limit, segregate, or classify the employees'' in any way that would tend to deprive the employee of employment opportunities based on genetic information. Section 202(a) provides no exceptions to prohibitions on employer use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 66855]] There are only six very limited circumstances in which an employer \8\ may request, require, or purchase genetic information about an applicant or employee. One of the six narrow exceptions to GINA's acquisition prohibition permits employers that offer health or genetic services, including such services offered as part of voluntary wellness programs,\9\ to request genetic information as part of these programs, as long as certain specific requirements are met.\10\See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-1(b)(2), 2000ff-2(b)(2), 2000ff-3(b)(2), 2000ff-4(b)(2); see also 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2). The regulations implementing Title II currently make clear that one of the requirements is that the wellness program cannot condition inducements to employees on the provision of genetic information. This requirement is derived from Title I of GINA's explicit prohibition against adjusting premium or contribution amounts on the basis of genetic information.\11\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \8\ GINA applies to individuals and covered entities in addition to employees and employers, including employment agencies, unions and their members, and joint-labor management training and apprenticeship programs. See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-1, 2000ff-2, 2000ff-3 and 2000ff-4 (describing the prohibited practices of each of these entities); see also 29 CFR 1635.2(b) (definition of covered entity) and 29 CFR 1635.4 (description of prohibited practices). For the sake of readability, and recognizing that employers will be the covered entity most likely to offer wellness programs, the NPRM will refer to employers and employees throughout. \9\ A wellness program, defined as a ``program offered by an employer that is designed to promote health or prevent disease,'' is one type of health or genetic service that an employer might offer. Section 2705(j)(1)(A) of the PHSA, as amended by the Affordable Care Act. A wellness program that provides medical care (including genetic counseling) may constitute a group health plan required to comply with section 9802 of the Code, 26 U.S.C. 9802, section 702 of the ERISA, 29 U.S.C. 1182, or section 2705 of the PHSA (i.e., Title I of GINA). Regulations issued under these statutes address wellness programs that collect genetic information. Moreover, wellness programs that condition rewards on an individual satisfying a standard related to a health factor must meet additional requirements. See 26 CFR 54.9802-1(f), 29 CFR 2590.702(f), and 45 CFR 146.121(f). In addition, EEOC has issued proposed rules that would amend the regulations and interpretive guidance implementing Title I of the ADA as they relate to employer wellness programs. See 80 FR 21659 (April 20, 2015). \10\ Other health or genetic services include services such as an Employee Assistance Program or a health clinic that provides flu shots. Under GINA, employers may request genetic information as part of such health or genetic services, as long as the requirements of 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) are met. \11\ Title I of GINA applies to genetic information discrimination in health insurance and not employment. In the Commission's original GINA Title II regulation, the Commission, in consultation with the federal agencies responsible for enforcing Title I, determined that permitting employers to condition wellness program inducements on the provision of genetic information would undermine Title I's prohibition on adjusting premium or contribution amounts on the basis of genetic information. For more on the protections provided by Title I of GINA, see www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-GINA.html. For a discussion of how Titles I and II of GINA allow employers and plans to use financial inducements to promote employee wellness and healthy lifestyles, see the preamble to the GINA Title II final rule at 75 FR 68923 (November 9, 2010). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although the EEOC received no comments prior to the publication of the Title II final rule in 2010 regarding how GINA's restriction on employers' acquiring genetic information interacts with the practice of offering employees inducements where a spouse participates in a wellness program, this question has arisen since publication of the final rule. The EEOC has received numerous inquiries about whether an employer will violate GINA and, in particular, 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2), by offering an employee an inducement if the employee's spouse who is covered under the employer's group health plan \12\ completes a health risk assessment (HRA)--including those involving a medical questionnaire, a medical examination (e.g., to detect high blood pressure or high cholesterol), or both--that seeks information about the spouse's current or past health status, in connection with the spouse's receipt of health or genetic services as part of an employer- sponsored wellness program. See, e.g., Letter from the ERISA Industry Committee to EEOC (February 17, 2012) available at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/5-8-13/moore.cfm (attachment to written testimony). Online reports have raised the same concern. See, e.g., Tower Watson, Health Care Reform Bulletin (Oct. 2011) available at http://www.towerswatson.com/en/Insights/Newsletters/Americas/health-care-reform-bulletin/2011/Providing-Financial-Incentives-for-an-Employees-Spouse-to-Complete-a-Health-Risk-Assessment. Two panelists also raised this question during a May 2013 Commission meeting on Wellness Programs. See Written Testimony of Leslie Silverman available at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/5-8-13/silverman.cfm and Written Testimony of Amy Moore available at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/5-8-13/moore.cfm. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \12\ The term ``group health plan'' includes both insured and self-insured group health plans and is used interchangeably with the terms ``health plan'' and ``the plan'' in this NPRM. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read in one way, conditioning all or part of an inducement on the provision of the spouse's current or past health information could be read to violate the 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(ii) prohibition on providing financial inducements in return for an employee's protected genetic information. When an employer seeks information from a spouse (who is a ``family member'' under GINA as set forth at 29 CFR 1635.3(a)(1)) about his or her current or past health status, the employer is also treated under GINA as requesting genetic information about the employee. This is because GINA defines the term ``genetic information'' of an employee broadly to include information about a family member's (including a spouse's) current or past health status.\13\ However, the EEOC's regulations specifically permit employers to seek such information from a family member who is receiving health or genetic services from the employer, including such services offered as part of a voluntary wellness program, as long as each of the requirements of 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i) concerning health or genetic services provided on a voluntary basis are met. See 29 CFR 1635.8(c)(2). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \13\ The term ``genetic information'' includes ``the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of [an] individual.'' 42 U.S.C. 2000ff(4)(a)(ii). An individual's family members include anyone who is ``a dependent (as such term is used for purposes of section 1181(f)(2) of Title 29), which includes a spouse. 42 U.S.C. 2000ff(3)(a). See also 29 CFR 1635.3(a)(1) (defining ``family member'' to include ``[a] person who is a dependent . . . as the result of marriage . . .''). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The proposed regulations would clarify that GINA does not prohibit employers from offering limited inducements (whether in the form of rewards or penalties avoided \14\) for the provision by spouses (covered by the employer's group health plan) of information about their current or past health status as part of a HRA, which may include a medical questionnaire, a medical examination (e.g., to detect high blood pressure or high cholesterol), or both, as long as the requirements of 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i) are satisfied. These requirements include that the provision of genetic information be voluntary and that the individual from whom the genetic information is being obtained provides prior, knowing, voluntary, and written authorization, which may include authorization in electronic format.\15\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ Under the PHSA, as amended by the Affordable Care Act, when a wellness program offers a reward, the term refers both to obtaining a reward (such as a discount or rebate of a premium or contribution, a waiver of all or part of a cost-sharing mechanism, an additional benefit, or any financial or other incentive) and avoiding a penalty (such as the absence of a premium surcharge or other financial or nonfinancial disincentive). See 26 CFR 54.9802- 1(f)(1)(i), 29 CFR 2590.702(f)(1)(i), and 45 CFR 146.121(f)(1)(i). We have adopted this definition. \15\ The GINA notice and authorization requirement, which was included in the EEOC's regulations pursuant to a specific statutory requirement, see 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-(1)(b)(2)(B), is only met if the covered entity uses an authorization form that (1) is written so that the individual from whom the genetic information is being obtained is reasonably likely to understand it; (2) describes the type of genetic information that will be obtained and the general purpose for which it will be used; and (3) describes the restrictions on disclosure of genetic information. The GINA notice and authorization rule also requires that individually identifiable genetic information is provided only to the individual (or family member if the family member is receiving genetic services) and the licensed health care professionals or board certified genetic counselors involved in providing such services, and is not accessible to managers, supervisors, or others who make employment decisions, or to anyone else in the workplace; and, finally, that any individually identifiable genetic information provided under 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) is only available for purposes of such services and is not disclosed to the covered entity except in aggregate terms that do not disclose the identity of specific individuals. See 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i). When an employer requests only current or past health status information from the employee's spouse, authorization by the spouse for the acquisition of the information will suffice to meet GINA's requirement; the employee does not have to separately authorize acquisition of the spouse's current or past health status information. See 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i)(B). The ADA does not have the same statutory requirement for authorization as is in GINA. In light of this statutory difference, the NPRM on the ADA and wellness programs published by the Commission on April 20, 2015 would require a notice to employees in connection with such a HRA where a wellness program is part of a group health plan. The notice must clearly explain what medical information will be obtained, how it will be used, who will receive it, and the restrictions on disclosure. See 80 FR 21659 (April 20, 2015). The ADA proposed rule did not include an authorization requirement, although EEOC asked in the preamble whether one should be part of the final rule. The ADA proposed rule cannot alter the statutory authorization requirements under GINA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 66856]] The Commission further proposes to add to the existing 1635.8(b)(2) requirements a requirement that any health or genetic services in connection with which an employer requests genetic information be reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease. This addition will make the revised GINA regulations consistent with the proposed rule amending the ADA's regulations as they relate to wellness programs, which permits employers to collect medical information as part of a wellness program only if the program and the disability- related inquiries and medical examinations that are part of the program are reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease. These regulations further propose that inducements in exchange for current or past health status information about an employee's children (biological and non-biological \16\) are not permitted, although an employer may offer health or genetic services (including participation in a wellness program) to an employee's children on a voluntary basis and may ask questions about a child's current or past health status as part of providing such services. Although information about the manifestation of disease or disorder in spouses or children is genetic information protected by GINA, adopting a very narrow exception that permits inducements only for a spouse's current or past health status strikes the appropriate balance between GINA's goal of providing strong protections against employment discrimination based on the possibility that an employee may develop a disease or disorder in the future or may face discrimination because a family member is expected to become ill in the future, and the goal of the wellness program provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (``HIPAA''), as amended by the Affordable Care Act, of promoting participation in employer-sponsored wellness programs. There is minimal, if any, chance of eliciting information about an employee's own genetic make-up or predisposition for disease from the information about current or past health status of the employee's spouse. By contrast, there is a significantly higher likelihood of eliciting information about an employee's own genetic make-up or predisposition for disease from information about the current or past health status of the employee's children, which is why the proposed revision does not permit inducements in exchange for such information. Further, the legislative history makes clear that Congress was particularly concerned about allowing employers access to information revealing the possible genetic conditions of employees' children.\17\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \16\ GINA defines information about the manifestation of a disease or disorder in an employee's adopted child to be genetic information about the employee. See 29 CFR 1635.3(c)(1)(ii) (genetic information includes information about the ``manifestation of disease or disorder in family members of the individual'') and 1635.3(a)(1) (a family member includes anyone who is a dependent ``as the result of marriage, birth, adoption or placement for adoption). Family members also include first- through fourth-degree relatives of an individual or of the individual's dependents. 29 CFR 1635.3(a)(2). Thus, information about the manifested disease or disorder of a stepchild--the first-degree relative of an employee's spouse--is genetic information about the employee. \17\ GINA's legislative history recognized ``that a family medical history could be used as a surrogate for [an employee's] genetic traits, [and that] a consistent history of a heritable disease in a patient's family may be viewed to indicate that the patient himself or herself is at increased risk for that disease.'' S. Rep. No. 110-48, at 28 (2007). See, e.g., Statement of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, GINA's principal sponsor in the Senate, 154 Cong. Rec. S3363, S337 (Apr. 28, 2008) (noting concerns of mother who paid out of pocket for anonymous genetic testing because she feared that the results would be used to discriminate against her daughters); Statement of Senator Christopher Dodd, 154 Cong. Rec. S3363, S3369- 70 (Apr. 28, 2008) (``Many people are also afraid of affecting their children's ability to get jobs or obtain insurance. So without adequate protections against discrimination, people may forgo genetic testing, even in cases where the results have the potential to save their lives or the lives of their family.''); Statement of Sen. Brownback, id. (``Genetic discrimination against anyone is unacceptable, particularly those who are next generation, our children.''); Statement of Sen. Olympia Snowe (noting constituent's fears that having the BRAC test ``would ruin her daughter's ability to obtain insurance in the future.'') id. at S3367. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Furthermore, while the proposal allows inducements in return for a spouse's current and past health status, it does not allow inducements in return for the spouse providing his or her own genetic information, including the results of his or her genetic tests. Limiting inducements in this way not only promotes consistency with Title I of GINA, which prohibits inducements in return for the genetic information of a spouse who is a plan participant, but also ensures that the exception to the prohibition on inducements in return for genetic information is drawn narrowly.\18\ See 42 U.S.C. 300gg-4(b)(3)(A). Additionally, this approach has the advantage of reducing administrative burdens on employers by allowing them to use the same HRA--with questions about family medical history and other genetic information clearly identified and a statement that these questions need not be answered in order to receive an inducement--for employees and their spouses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \18\ See John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Harris Trust & Sav. Bank, 510 U.S. 86, 97 (1993) (``[W]e [are] inclined, generally, to tight reading of exemptions from comprehensive [statutory] schemes.'') citing Commissioner v. Clark, 489 U.S. 726, 739-40 (1989) (when a general policy is qualified by an exception, the Court ``usually read[s] the exception narrowly in order to the preserve the primary operation of the [policy]''), and A.H. Phillips, Inc. v. Walling, 324 U.S. 490, 493 (1945). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This proposal would not alter the absolute prohibition against the use of genetic information in making employment decisions. Were an employer to use information about a spouse's current or past health status to make an employment decision about an employee, it would violate GINA's prohibition on using genetic information.\19\ Nor would the proposal permit inducements in return for genetic information of an employee in any circumstance other than where an employee's spouse who is enrolled in the employer's group health plan provides information about his or her current or past health as part of a HRA. Inducements in return for information [[Page 66857]] about the current or past health of an employee's children, or in exchange for inquiries directed to an employee about the employee's family medical history or other genetic information, for example, are still prohibited. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ If the information about the spouse disclosed a disability, the employer would also violate the ADA's prohibition on discrimination based on association with someone with a disability. See 42 U.S.C. 12112(b)(4). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The revisions also prohibit conditioning participation in a wellness program or any inducement on an individual, or an individual's spouse or family member, waiving GINA's confidentiality provisions. Summary of the Proposed Regulation Revisions to the Wellness Program Exception The EEOC proposes to make six substantive changes to its GINA regulations. First, we propose to add a new subsection to 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2), to be numbered 1635.8(b)(2)(i)(A). It would explain that employers may request, require, or purchase genetic information as part of health or genetic services only when those services, including any acquisition of genetic information that is part of those services, are reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease. In order to meet this standard, the program must have a reasonable chance of improving the health of, or preventing disease in, participating individuals, and must not be overly burdensome, a subterfuge for violating Title II of GINA or other laws prohibiting employment discrimination, or highly suspect in the method chosen to promote health or prevent disease. Collecting information on a health questionnaire without providing follow-up information or advice would not be reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease. Additionally, a program is not reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease if it imposes, as a condition of obtaining a reward, an overly burdensome amount of time for participation, requires unreasonably intrusive procedures, or places significant costs related to medical examinations on employees. A program is also not reasonably designed if it exists merely to shift costs from the covered entity to targeted employees based on their health. Second, we propose to add a subsection to 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2), to be numbered 1635.8(b)(2)(iii). It would explain that, consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (b)(2)(ii), a covered entity may offer, as part of its health plan, an inducement to an employee whose spouse (1) is covered under the employee's health plan; (2) receives health or genetic services offered by the employer, including as part of a wellness program; and (3) provides information about his or her current or past health status as part of a HRA. No inducement may be offered, however, in return for the spouse providing his or her own genetic information, including results of his or her genetic tests.\20\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \20\ 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i)(B). Title I of GINA specifically prohibits a group health plan and a health insurance issuer in the group or individual market from collecting (including requesting, requiring or purchasing) genetic information prior to or in connection with enrollment in a group health plan or for underwriting purposes. See 26 CFR 54.9802-3T(b) and (d); 29 CFR 2590.702-1(b) and (d)); 45 CFR 146.122(b) and (d). ``Underwriting purposes'' includes rules for eligibility for benefits and the computation of premium or contribution amounts under the plan or coverage including any discounts, rebates, payments in kind, or other premium differential mechanisms in return for activities such as completing a HRA or participating in a wellness program. See 26 CFR 54.9802-3T(d)(1)(ii); 29 CFR 2590.702-1(d)(1)(ii); 45 CFR 146.122(d)(1)(ii). Consequently, wellness programs that provide rewards for completing HRAs that request a plan participant's genetic information, including family medical history, violate the prohibition against requesting genetic information for underwriting purposes, regardless of whether the plan participant provides authorization. Under Title I of GINA a group health plan and a health insurance issuer in the group or individual market may request genetic information through an HRA as long as the request is not in connection with enrollment and no rewards are provided. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The HRA, which may include a medical questionnaire, a medical examination (e.g., to detect high blood pressure or high cholesterol), or both, must otherwise comply with paragraph (b)(2)(i) in the same manner as if completed by the employee, including the requirement that the spouse provide prior knowing, voluntary, and written authorization when the spouse is providing his or her own genetic information,\21\ and the requirement that the authorization form describe the confidentiality protections and restrictions on the disclosure of genetic information. The employer also must obtain authorization from the spouse when collecting information about the spouse's past or current health status, though a separate authorization for the acquisition of this information from the employee is not necessary. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \21\ 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-1(b)(2)(B) states that the ``employee'' must provide prior, knowing, voluntary, and written authorization. EEOC regulations implementing Title II of GINA, by contrast, use the broader term ``individual'' when describing the prior, knowing, voluntary and written authorization requirement. See 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i)(B). The Commission believes that ``individual'' best reflects the intent of Congress, especially when considering the provisions in 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-1(b), which prohibit employers from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information about both employees and their family members with limited exceptions, and the general purpose of the statute. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The total inducement to the employee and spouse may not exceed 30 percent of the total annual cost of coverage for the plan in which the employee and any dependents are enrolled. The 30 percent limit includes any inducement for a spouse's current or past health status information and any other inducements to the employee, as permitted under Title I of the ADA, for the employee's participation in a wellness program that asks disability-related questions or includes medical examinations. Thus, for example, if an employer offers health insurance coverage at a total cost (taking into account both employer and employee contributions towards the cost of coverage for the benefit package) of $14,000 to cover an employee and the employee's spouse and/or spouse and other dependents, and provides the option of participating in a wellness program to the employee and spouse covered by the plan, it may not offer a total inducement greater than 30 percent of $14,000, or $4,200. This type of inducement limit generally parallels the limitations set forth in section 1201 of the Affordable Care Act,\22\ which explains that when dependents of employees, such as spouses, are permitted to fully participate in a health-contingent wellness program, the reward offered must not exceed the applicable percentage of the total cost of the coverage in which an employee and dependents are enrolled. See 26 CFR 54.9802-1(f)(3)(ii) and (4)(ii); 29 CFR 2590.702(f)(3)(ii) and (4)(ii); 45 CFR 146.121(f)(3)(ii) and (f)(4)(ii). The limited exception that the Commission proposes to make under Title II of GINA thus allows a practice that is in line with Title I of GINA and the Affordable Care Act. See 26 CFR 54.9802- 1(f)(3)(ii) and (4)(ii); 29 CFR 2590.702(f)(3)(ii) and (4)(ii); 45 CFR 146.121(f)(3)(ii) and (f)(4)(ii) for the references to the implementing Affordable Care Act regulations; see section 702(b)(3)(B) of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1182(b)(3)(B)); section 2705(b)(3)(B) of the PHSA (42 U.S.C.300gg-4(b)(3)(B)); and section 9802(b)(3)(B) of the Code (26 U.S.C. 9802(b)(3)(B)) for references to Title I of GINA. The EEOC has determined that extending the 30 percent limit established by the Affordable Care Act for health-contingent wellness program inducements in return for information about the health status (but not the genetic information) of spouses promotes GINA's interest in limiting access to genetic information and [[Page 66858]] ensuring that inducements are not so high as to be coercive, and thus prohibited. The EEOC consulted with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury, which share interpretive jurisdiction over the wellness program provisions under HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act, and while the proposed revisions may differ in some respects from the wellness program standards set forth by the Affordable Care Act and its implementing regulations,\23\ the EEOC believes that employers will be able to comply with both the wellness requirements under the Affordable Care Act and these regulations.\24\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \22\ Section 1201 of the Affordable Care Act added PHSA section 2705(j) and Section 1563 of the Affordable Care Act incorporated by reference such provision into section 715(a)(1) to the ERISA, and section 9815(a)(1) to the Code. See 29 U.S.C. 1182(j)(3)(A); 42 U.S.C. 300gg-4(j)(3)(A); 26 U.S.C. 9802(j)(3)(A). \23\ There are differences between the inducement limit provided in this proposal under GINA and the inducement limits under the wellness regulations implementing HIPAA, as amended by the Affordable Care Act, including that under those wellness regulations: (1) The inducement limit does not apply to ``participatory wellness programs,'' which include HRAs that all participants may answer, regardless of their health status (but only to ``health-contingent wellness programs''); and (2) the inducement limit on health-contingent wellness programs does not contain specific rules apportioning the inducement between the spouse and the employee. See 26 CFR 54.9802-1(f); 29 CFR 2590.702(f); 45 CFR 146.121(f). \24\ Regulations implementing the wellness provisions in HIPAA, as amended by the Affordable Care Act, permit covered entities to offer financial incentives as high as 50 percent of the total cost of employee coverage for tobacco-related wellness programs, such as smoking cessation programs. See 26 CFR 54.9802-1(f)(5); 29 CFR 2590.702(f)(5); 45 CFR 146.121(f)(5). The inducement rules in 1635.8(b)(2) apply only to health and genetic services that request genetic information. A smoking cessation program that asks employees whether they use tobacco (or whether they ceased using tobacco upon completion of the program) or requires blood tests to determine nicotine levels is not a wellness program that requests genetic information and is therefore not covered by this proposed rule. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Third, in addition to limiting the total inducement to 30 percent of the total cost of coverage for the plan in which the employee and any dependents are enrolled, the proposed rule, at new section 1635.8(b)(2)(iv), describes the manner in which inducements for employees and spouses are to be apportioned. The EEOC proposes that the maximum share of the inducement attributable to the employee's participation in an employer wellness program (or multiple employer wellness programs that request such information) be equal to 30 percent of the cost of self-only coverage, which is the maximum amount the Commission has proposed may be offered under the ADA for an employee to answer disability-related inquiries or take medical examinations in connection with a wellness program that is part of a group health plan. See 80 FR 21659, 21663 (April 20, 2015). The remainder of the inducement--equal to 30 percent of the total cost of coverage for the plan in which the employee and any dependents are enrolled minus 30 percent of the total cost of self-only coverage--may be provided in exchange for the spouse providing information to an employer wellness program (or multiple employer wellness programs that request such information) about his or her current or past health status. These limitations would be set forth at 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(iv)(a) and (b). Thus, for example, if an employee is enrolled in a health plan that covers the employee and any class of dependents for which the total cost of coverage is $14,000, the maximum inducement the employer can offer for the employee and the employee's spouse to provide information about their current or past health status is 30 percent of $14,000, or $4,200. If the employer's self-only coverage costs $6,000, the maximum allowable incentive the employer may offer for the employee's participation is 30 percent of $6,000, or $1,800. The rest of the inducement, $4,200 minus $1,800, or $2,400, may be offered for the spouse to provide current or past health status information. However, an employer would be free to offer all or part of the $2,400 inducement in other ways as well, such as for the employee, the spouse, and/or another of the employee's dependents to undertake activities that would qualify as participatory or health-contingent programs but do not include requests for genetic information, disability-related inquiries, or medical examinations. Thus, in the example above, an employer could offer $1,800 for the employee to answer disability-related questions and/or to take medical examinations as part of a health risk assessment, could offer the same amount for the employee's spouse to answer the same questions and to take the same medical examinations, and could offer the remaining $600 for the employee, the spouse, or both to undertake an activity-based health-contingent program, such as a program that requires participants to walk a certain amount each week. Additionally, a wellness program may offer inducements in accordance with HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act without regard to the limits on apportionment set forth in this proposed rule if neither the employee nor the employee's spouse are required to provide current or past health status information, so long as the wellness program otherwise complies with the requirements of the ADA and GINA. Fourth, proposed section 1635.8(b)(2)(vi) would prohibit a covered entity from conditioning participation in a wellness program or an inducement on an employee, or the employee's spouse or other covered dependent, agreeing to the sale of genetic information or waiving protections provided under section 1635.9. Section 1635.9 prohibits the disclosure of genetic information, except in six narrowly defined circumstances. Fifth, we propose to add another example to 29 CFR 1635.8(c)(2) to make clear that an employer is permitted to seek information--through medical questionnaires, medical examinations (e.g., to detect high blood pressure or high cholesterol), or both--about the current or past health status of an employee's spouse who is covered by the employer's group health plan and is completing a HRA on a voluntary basis in compliance with 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2). This provision of the regulations describes two circumstances under which the employer is permitted to request, require, or purchase genetic information or information about the past or current health status of an employee's family members who are receiving health or genetic services on a voluntary basis. The provision cross-references 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) to make clear that such acquisitions are only permitted if all of the requirements for seeking genetic information as part of a voluntary health or genetic service, including the rules on authorization and inducements, are met. Finally, the revisions would remove the term ``financial'' as a modifier of the type of inducements discussed in the regulation and make clear that the term ``inducements'' includes both financial and in-kind inducements, such as time-off awards, prizes, or other items of value, in the form of either rewards or penalties.\25\ Since promulgation of the original Title II regulations in 2010, the EEOC has become aware that inducements other than those that might be called purely financial are used with some frequency and intends that the regulations apply to all such inducements. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ Removal of the modifier ``financial'' is consistent with the HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act wellness program provisions, which generally define a permissible reward as ``a discount or rebate of a premium or contribution, a waiver of all or part of a cost-sharing mechanism, an additional benefit, or any financial or other incentive.'' See 26 CFR 54.9802-1(f)(1)(i); 29 CFR 2590.702(f)(1)(i); 45 CFR 146.121(f)(1)(i). See footnote 14 for additional discussion of the meaning of ``inducement.'' --------------------------------------------------------------------------- These revisions would require renumbering throughout 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2), as well as the addition of a reference to the new subsections within 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(ii). [[Page 66859]] Technical Amendments The first sentence of 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(iv) (which, in the proposed rule, will be renumbered as 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(vii)) reads as follows: ``Nothing in Sec. 1635.8(b)(2)(iii) limits the rights or protections of an individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, or under any other applicable civil rights law, or under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as amended by GINA.'' This subsection should have referred to subsection (b)(2)(ii) concerning inducements for completing HRAs, as well as subsection (b)(2)(iii) (which, in the proposed rule, will be renumbered as 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(v)) concerning disease management or other programs that offer inducements for achieving certain health outcomes. We propose to revise the rule so that it references the appropriate subsections, including the newly proposed 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(iii) and (iv) concerning inducements for spouses to complete HRAs. Finally, we propose to amend this and other subsections to include reference to HIPAA and the Affordable Care Act, where appropriate. Request for Comments The Commission invites written comments from members of the public on any issues related to this proposed rule about particular practices that might violate GINA. In addition, the Commission specifically requests comments on several issues: (1) Whether employers that offer inducements to encourage the spouses of employees to disclose information about current or past health must also offer similar inducements to persons who choose not to disclose such information, but who instead provide certification from a medical professional stating that the spouse is under the care of a physician and that any medical risks identified by that physician are under active treatment. (2) Should the proposed authorization requirement apply only to wellness programs that offer more than de minimis rewards or penalties to employees whose spouses provide information about current or past health status as part of a HRA? If so, how should the Commission define ``de minimis''? (3) Which best practices or procedural safeguards ensure that employer-sponsored wellness programs are designed to promote health or prevent disease and do not operate to shift costs to employees with spouses who have health impairments or stigmatized conditions? (4) Given that, in contrast to the status quo when the ADA was enacted, most employers today store personnel information electronically, and in light of increasingly frequent breaches to electronically stored employment records, should the rule include more specific guidance to employers regarding how to implement the requirements of 29 CFR 1635.9(a) for electronically stored records? If so, what procedures are needed to achieve GINA's goal of ensuring the confidentiality of genetic information with respect to electronic records stored by employers? (5) In addition to any suggestions offered in response to the previous question, are there best practices or procedural safeguards to ensure that information about spouses' current health status is protected from disclosure? (6) Given concerns about privacy of genetic information, should the regulation restrict the collection of any genetic information by a workplace wellness program to only the minimum necessary to directly support the specific wellness activities, interventions, and advice provided through the program--namely information collected through the program's HRA and biometric screening? Should programs be prohibited from accessing genetic information from other sources, such as patient claims data and medical records data? (7) Whether employers offer (or are likely to offer in the future) wellness programs outside of a group health plan or group health insurance coverage that use inducements to encourage employees' spouses to provide information about current or past health status as part of a HRA, and the extent to which the GINA regulations should allow inducements provided as part of such programs. Regulatory Procedures Executive Order 12866 Pursuant to Executive Order 12866, the EEOC has coordinated this proposed rule with the Office of Management and Budget. Under section 3(f)(1) of Executive Order 12866, the EEOC has determined that the proposed regulation will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local or tribal governments or communities. Although a detailed cost-benefit assessment of the proposed regulation is not required, the Commission notes that the rule will aid compliance with Title II of GINA by employers. Currently, employers face uncertainty as to whether providing an employee with an inducement if his or her spouse provides information about the spouse's current or past health status on a HRA will subject them to liability under Title II of GINA. This rule will clarify that offering limited inducements in these circumstances is permitted by Title II of GINA if the requirements of section 202(b)(2)(A) of GINA otherwise have been met. We believe that a potential benefit of this rule is that it will provide employers that adopt wellness programs that include spousal inducements with clarity about their obligations under GINA. The Commission does not believe the costs to employers associated with the rule are significant. Under HIPAA, as amended by the Affordable Care Act, inducements of up to 30 percent of the total cost of coverage in which an employee is enrolled are permitted where the employee and the employee's dependents are given the opportunity to fully participate in the health-contingent wellness program. This proposed rule simply clarifies that a similar inducement is permissible under Title II of GINA where an employer offers inducements for an employee's spouse enrolled in the group health plan to provide current or past health status information. The Commission further believes that employers will face initial start-up costs to train human resources staff and others on the revised rule. The EEOC conducts extensive outreach and technical assistance programs, many of them at no cost to employers, to assist in the training of relevant personnel on EEO-related issues. For example, in FY 2013, the agency's outreach programs reached more than 280,000 persons through participation in more than 3,800 no-cost educational, training and outreach events. We expect to put information about the revisions to the GINA regulations in our outreach programs in general and to continue to offer GINA-specific outreach programs which will, of course, include information about the revisions once the proposed rule becomes final. We will also post technical assistance documents on our Web site explaining the revisions to the GINA regulations, as [[Page 66860]] we do with all of our new regulations and policy documents.\26\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \26\ See, e.g., http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/genetic.cfm for documents explaining Title II of GINA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- We estimate that there are approximately 782,000 employers with 15 or more employees subject to Title II of GINA \27\ and, of that number, one half to two thirds (391,000 to 521,333) offer some type of wellness program.\28\ Assuming that nearly half of employer wellness programs are open for participation by the spouses or dependents of workers, and using the highest estimates, we assume that approximately 260,667 employers will be covered by this requirement.\29\ We further estimate that the typical human resources professional will need to dedicate, at most, 60 minutes to gain a satisfactory understanding of the revised regulations and that the median hourly pay rate of a human resources professional is approximately $49.41. See Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113121.htm. Assuming that an employer will train up to three human resources professionals/managers on the requirements of this rule, we estimate that initial training costs will be approximately 38,638,670.00.\30\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \27\ See Firm Size Data, at http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/849/12162. \28\ See Rand Health, Workplace Wellness Programs Study Final Report (2013), sponsored by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, available at http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/RR254/RAND_RR254.pdf (hereinafter referred to as the RAND Final Study). See also The Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey, available at http://kff.org/health-costs/report/2014-employer-health-benefits-survey/ [hereinafter referred to as the Kaiser Survey]. According to the RAND Final Report, ``approximately half of U.S. employers offer wellness promotion initiatives.'' By contrast, the Kaiser Survey found that ``[s]eventy-four percent of employers offering health benefits'' offer at least one wellness program. \29\ Although the Kaiser Survey reports that 51 percent of large employers versus 32 percent of small employers ask employees to complete a HRA, we are not aware of any data indicating what percentage of those employers provide spouses with the opportunity to participate in the HRA. We therefore have substituted a more general statistic to allow an estimate of the number of employers who will be covered by the requirements of this proposed rule. See Kaiser Foundation, Workplace Wellness Programs Characteristics and Requirements (2015), available at http://kff.org/private-insurance/issue-brief/workplace-wellness-programs-characteristics-and-requirements/ (Noting that nearly half (48 percent) of employer wellness programs are open for participation by the spouses or dependents of workers, as well as workers). \30\ A study published in 2009 by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that the median number of full-time equivalents for a HR department was three. See SHRM Human Capital Benchmarking Study, 2009 Executive Summary available at https://www.shrm.org/Research/SurveyFindings/Articles/Documents/09-0620_Human_Cap_Benchmark_FULL_FNL.pdf. Because we are not aware of any more specific data on the average number of human resources professionals per covered employer, we have based our estimates on this figure. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally, GINA's plain language (at 42 U.S.C. 2000ff-(1)(b)(2)) and EEOC's regulations (at 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) and (c)(2)) make it clear that an employer must obtain authorization for the collection of genetic information as part of providing health or genetic services to employees and their family members on a voluntary basis. Consequently, this proposed rule imposes no new obligations with respect to authorization for the collection of genetic information. We welcome comments on this and all of our conclusions concerning the benefits and burdens of the revisions. Paperwork Reduction Act This proposal contains no new information collection requirements subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Regulatory Flexibility Act Title II of GINA applies to all employers with 15 or more employees, approximately 764,233 of which are small firms (entities with 15-500 employees) according to data provided by the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy. See Firm Size Data, at http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/849/12162. The Commission certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because it imposes no reporting burdens and only minimal costs on such firms. The proposed rule simply clarifies that employers that offer wellness programs are free to adopt a certain type of inducement without violating GINA. It also corrects an internal citation and provides citations to the Affordable Care Act. It does not require any action on the part of covered entities, except to the extent that those entities created documentation or forms which cite to GINA for the proposition that the entity is unable to offer inducements to employees in return for a spouse's completion of HRAs that request information about the spouse's current or past health. We do not have data on the number or size of businesses that may need to alter documents relating to their wellness programs. However, our experience with enforcing the ADA, which required all employers with 15 or more employees to remove medical inquiries from application forms, suggests that revising questionnaires to eliminate or alter an instruction would not impose significant costs. To the extent that employers will expend resources to train human resources staff and others on the revised rule, we reiterate that the EEOC conducts extensive outreach and technical assistance programs, many of them at no cost to employers, to assist in the training of relevant personnel on EEO-related issues. For example, in FY 2013, the agency's outreach programs reached more than 280,000 persons through participation in more than 3,800 no-cost educational, training and outreach events. We expect to put information about the revisions to the GINA regulations in our outreach programs in general and to continue to offer GINA-specific outreach programs which will, of course, include information about the revisions once the proposed rule becomes final. We will also post technical assistance documents on our Web site explaining the revisions to the GINA regulations, as we do with all of our new regulations and policy documents. We estimate that the typical human resources professional will need to dedicate, at most, 60 minutes to gain a satisfactory understanding of the revised regulations. We further estimate that the median hourly pay rate of a human resources professional is approximately $49.41. See Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113121.htm. Assuming that small entities have between one and five human resources professionals/ managers, we estimate that the cost per entity of providing appropriate training will be between approximately $49.41 and $247.05. The EEOC does not believe that this cost will be significant for the impacted small entities. We urge small entities to submit comments concerning the EEOC's estimates of the number of small entities affected, as well as the cost to those entities. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 This proposed rule will not result in the expenditure by state, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. [[Page 66861]] List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1635 Administrative practice and procedure, Equal employment opportunity. Dated: October 27, 2015. For the Commission. Jenny R. Yang, Chair. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the EEOC proposes to amend chapter XIV of title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows: PART 1635--[AMENDED] 0 1. The authority citation for 29 CFR part 1635 is revised to read as follows: Authority: 29 U.S.C. 2000ff. 0 2. In Sec. 1635.8(b): 0 a. Redesignate paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) through (D) as paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(B) through (E); 0 b. Add new paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A); 0 c. Revise paragraph (b)(2)(ii) introductory text; 0 d. Redesignate paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and (iv) as paragraphs (b)(2)(v) and (vii); 0 e. Add new paragraphs (b)(2)(iii), (b)(2)(iv), and (b)(2)(vi); 0 f. Revise newly redesignated paragraph (b)(2)(vii). 0 g. Revise paragraph (c)(2). The revisions and additions read as follows: Sec. 1635.8 Acquisition of genetic information. * * * * * (b) * * * (2) * * * (i) * * * (A) The health or genetic services, including any acquisition of genetic information that is part of those services, are reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease. A program satisfies this standard if it has a reasonable chance of improving the health of, or preventing disease in, participating individuals, and it is not overly burdensome, is not a subterfuge for violating Title II of GINA or other laws prohibiting employment discrimination, and is not highly suspect in the method chosen to promote health or prevent disease. * * * * * (ii) Consistent with the requirements of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, a covered entity may not offer an inducement (financial or in-kind), whether in the form of a reward or penalty, for individuals to provide genetic information, except as described in paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and (iv) of this section, but may offer inducements for completion of health risk assessments that include questions about family medical history or other genetic information, provided the covered entity makes clear, in language reasonably likely to be understood by those completing the health risk assessment, that the inducement will be made available whether or not the participant answers questions regarding genetic information. * * * * * (iii) Consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, a covered entity may offer, as part of its health plan, an inducement to an employee whose spouse provides information about the spouse's own current or past health status as part of a health risk assessment when the employee has elected coverage for any class of dependents under the health plan, and the spouse is included in such coverage. No inducement may be offered, however, in return for the spouse's providing his or her own genetic information, including results of his or her genetic tests, for the current or past health status information of an employee's children, or for the genetic information of an employee's child. The health risk assessment, which may include a medical questionnaire, a medical examination (e.g., to detect high blood pressure or high cholesterol), or both, must otherwise comply with paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section in the same manner as if completed by the employee, including the requirement that the spouse provide prior, knowing, voluntary, and written authorization, and the requirement that the authorization form describe the confidentiality protections and restrictions on the disclosure of genetic information. The health risk assessment must also be administered in connection with the spouse's receipt of health or genetic services offered by the employer, including such services offered as part of a wellness program. This inducement, when combined with any other inducement permitted under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for an employee's participation in a wellness program that asks disability-related questions or requires medical examinations, may not exceed 30 percent of the total cost of the coverage under the plan in which an employee and the spouse are enrolled. For example, if an employer offers health insurance coverage at a total cost of $14,000 for employees and their dependents (including spouses) and provides the option of participating in a wellness program to employees and spouses who are covered by the plan, the employer may not offer an inducement greater than 30 percent of $14,000, or $4,200. (iv) When an employer offers an inducement for an employee and the employee's spouse to participate in a wellness program that requests information about the spouse's current or past health status: (A) The maximum amount of the inducement for an employee's spouse to provide information about current or past health status may not exceed 30 percent of the total cost of coverage for the plan in which the employee is enrolled less 30 percent of the total cost of self-only coverage. For example, if an employer offers health insurance coverage at a total cost of $14,000 for employees and their dependents and $6,000 for self-only coverage, the maximum inducement the employer can offer for the employee and the employee's spouse to provide information about their current or past health status is 30 percent of $14,000, or $4,200. The maximum amount of the $4,200 inducement that could be offered for the employee's spouse to provide current or past health status information is $4,200 minus $1,800 (30 percent of the cost of self-only coverage), or $2,400 (B) The maximum amount of the inducement the employer may offer to the employee for participation is 30 percent of the cost of self-only coverage. For example, if an employer offers health insurance coverage at a total cost of $14,000 for employees and their dependents and $6,000 for self-only coverage, the maximum inducement that may be offered for the employee to respond to disability-related inquiries or take medical examinations is $1,800. * * * * * (vi) A covered entity may not, however, condition participation in a wellness program or provide any inducement to an employee, or the spouse or other covered dependent of the employee, in exchange for an agreement permitting the sale of genetic information, including information about the current health status of an employee's family member, or otherwise waiving the protections of Sec. 1635.9. (vii) Nothing contained in paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) through (vi) of this section limits the rights or protections of an individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, or other applicable civil rights laws, or under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as amended by GINA. For example, if an employer offers an inducement for participation in disease management programs or other programs that [[Page 66862]] promote healthy lifestyles and/or require individuals to meet particular health goals, the employer must make reasonable accommodations to the extent required by the ADA; that is, the employer must make ``modifications or adjustments that enable a covered entity's employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by its other similarly situated employees without disabilities'' unless ``such covered entity can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of its business.'' 29 CFR 1630.2(o)(1)(iii); 29 CFR 1630.9(a). In addition, if the employer's wellness program provides (directly, through reimbursement, or otherwise) medical care (including genetic counseling), the program may constitute a group health plan and must comply with the special requirements for wellness programs that condition rewards on an individual satisfying a standard related to a health factor, including the requirement to provide an individual with a ``reasonable alternative (or waiver of the otherwise applicable standard)'' under HIPAA, when ``it is unreasonably difficult due to a medical condition to satisfy'' or ``medically inadvisable to attempt to satisfy'' the otherwise applicable standard. See section 9802 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 9802, 26 CFR 54.9802-1 and 54.9802- 3T), section 702 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (29 U.S.C. 1182, 29 CFR 2590.702 and 2590.702-1), and section 2705 of the PHSA (45 CFR 146.121 and 146.122), as amended by section 1201 of the Affordable Care Act. * * * * * (c) * * * (2) A covered entity does not violate this section when, consistent with paragraph (b)(2) of this section, it requests, requires, or purchases genetic information or information about the manifestation of a disease, disorder, or pathological condition of an individual's family member who is receiving health or genetic services on a voluntary basis. For example, an employer does not unlawfully acquire genetic information about an employee when it asks the employee's family member who is receiving health services from the employer if her diabetes is under control. Nor does an employer unlawfully acquire genetic information about an employee when it seeks information-- through a medical questionnaire, a medical examination, or both--about the current or past health status of the employee's family member who is covered by the employer's group health plan and is completing a health risk assessment on a voluntary basis in connection with the family member's receipt of health or genetic services (including health or genetic services provided as part of a wellness program) offered by the employer in compliance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. * * * * * 0 3. In Sec. 1635.11, revise paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) and (iv) to read as follows: Sec. 1635.11 Construction. * * * * * (b) * * * (1) * * * (iii) Section 702(a)(1)(F) of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(F)), section 2705(a)(6) of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), as amended by section 1201 of the Affordable Care Act and section 9802(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 9802(a)(1)(F)), which prohibit a group health plan or a health insurance issuer in the group or individual market from discriminating against individuals in eligibility and continued eligibility for benefits based on genetic information; or (iv) Section 702(b)(1) of ERISA (29 U.S.C. 1182(b)(1)), section 2705(b)(1) of the PHSA, as amended by section 1201 of the Affordable Care Act and section 9802(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 9802(b)(1)), as such sections apply with respect to genetic information as a health status-related factor, which prohibit a group health plan or a health insurance issuer in the group or individual market from discriminating against individuals in premium or contribution rates under the plan or coverage based on genetic information. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2015-27734 Filed 10-29-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules 66853
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Applicable Statutes and Which the Associate Chief Counsel (Procedure employer’s offer of health services as
Minimize Any Significant Economic and Administration). part of an employer-sponsored wellness
Impact of the Proposed Rule on Small program. Several technical changes to
Entities List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 300 the existing regulation are also
Reporting and recordkeeping proposed.
The IOAA authorizes the charging of
requirements, User fees. DATES: Comments regarding this
user fees for agency services, subject to
policies designated by the President. Proposed Amendments to the proposal must be received by the
Regulations Commission on or before December 29,
OMB Circular A–25 implements
2015. Please see the section below
presidential policies regarding user fees Accordingly, 26 CFR part 300 is entitled ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY
and encourages user fees when a proposed to be amended as follows: INFORMATION for additional information
government agency provides a special
■ Paragraph 1. The authority citation on submitting comments.
benefit to a member of the public. In the
for part 300 continues to read as ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
IOAA, Congress has stated a preference
follows: identified by RIN number 3046–AB02,
that special benefits be self-sustaining.
Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701. by any of the following methods:
A PTIN is required for an individual • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
to prepare or assist in preparing all or ■ Par. 2. Section 300.13 is amended by
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
substantially all of a tax return or claim revising paragraphs (b) and (d) to read
instructions for submitting comments.
for refund for compensation. PTINs are as follows: • FAX: (202) 663–4114. (There is no
used by the IRS to collect and track data § 300.13 Fee for obtaining a preparer tax toll free FAX number). Only comments
on tax return preparers. This data allows identification number. of six or fewer pages will be accepted
the IRS to track the number of persons via FAX transmittal, in order to assure
* * * * *
who prepare or assist in preparing (b) [The text of proposed § 300.13(b) access to the equipment. Receipt of FAX
returns and claims for refund, the is the same as the text of § 300.13T(b) transmittals will not be acknowledged,
qualifications of those persons who published elsewhere in this issue of the except that the sender may request
prepare or assist in preparing returns Federal Register]. confirmation of receipt by calling the
and claims for refund, the number of Executive Secretariat staff at (202) 663–
returns each person prepares, and, when * * * * *
4070 (voice) or (202) 663–4074 (TTY).
instances of misconduct or potential (d) [The text of proposed § 300.13(d)
(These are not toll free numbers).
is the same as the text of § 300.13T(d)
misconduct are detected, locate and • Mail: Bernadette Wilson, Acting
published elsewhere in this issue of the
review returns and claims for refund Executive Officer, Executive Secretariat,
Federal Register].
prepared by a specific tax return Equal Employment Opportunity
preparer. PTINs must be renewed Karen M. Schiller, Commission, U.S. Equal Employment
annually to ensure that the identifying Acting Deputy Commissioner for Services and Opportunity Commission, 131 M Street
information associated with a PTIN is Enforcement. NE., Washington, DC 20507.
current. [FR Doc. 2015–27791 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am] • Hand Delivery/Courier: Bernadette
Due to the costs to the government to BILLING CODE 4830–01–P Wilson, Acting Executive Officer,
process the application for a PTIN, the Executive Secretariat, Equal
requirement to include a PTIN on tax Employment Opportunity Commission,
returns and claims for refund, and the EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
expressed preference in the IOAA that COMMISSION Commission, 131 M Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20507.
special benefits be self-sustaining, there
29 CFR Part 1635 Instructions: The Commission invites
is no viable alternative to imposing a
comments from all interested parties.
user fee. RIN 3046–AB02 All comment submissions must include
Comments and Public Hearing the agency name and docket number or
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination
the Regulatory Information Number
Before these proposed regulations are Act of 2008
(RIN) for this rulemaking. Comments
adopted as final regulations, AGENCY: Equal Employment need be submitted in only one of the
consideration will be given to any Opportunity Commission. above-listed formats. All comments
written (a signed original and eight (8) ACTION: Proposed rule. received will be posted without change
copies) or electronic comments that are to http://www.regulations.gov, including
submitted timely to the IRS. The IRS SUMMARY: The Equal Employment any personal information you provide.
and Treasury Department request Opportunity Commission (‘‘EEOC’’ or Docket: For access to the docket to
comments on all aspects of these ‘‘Commission’’) is issuing a proposed read background documents or
proposed regulations. All comments rule that would amend the regulations comments received, go to http://
that are submitted by the public will be implementing Title II of the Genetic www.regulations.gov. Copies of the
made available for public inspection
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Information Nondiscrimination Act of received comments also will be
and copying. A public hearing will be 2008 as they relate to employer wellness available for review at the Commission’s
scheduled if requested in writing by any programs. The proposed regulations library, 131 M Street NE., Suite
person who timely submits written address the extent to which an employer 4NW08R, Washington, DC 20507,
comments. If a public hearing is may offer an employee inducements for between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:00
scheduled, notice of the date, time, and the employee’s spouse who is also a p.m., from December 29, 2015 until the
place for the public hearing will be participant in the employer’s health Commission publishes the rule in final
published in the Federal Register. plan to provide information about the form.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: deny health coverage or employment.2 marriage, birth, adoption, or placement
Christopher J. Kuczynski, Assistant Consequently, GINA restricts for adoption and any other individual
Legal Counsel, at (202) 663–4665 acquisition and disclosure of genetic who is a first-, second-, third-, or fourth-
(voice), or Kerry E. Leibig, Senior information, and includes an absolute degree relative of the individual. See 42
Attorney Advisor, at (202) 663–4516 prohibition on the use of genetic U.S.C. 2000ff(3)(A) (defining family
(voice), or (202) 663–7026 (TTY). information in making employment member for purposes of GINA to
Requests for this notice in an alternative decisions.3 The EEOC issued include a dependent within the
format should be made to the Office of implementing regulations on November meaning of section 701(f)(2) of the
Communications and Legislative Affairs 9, 2010, to provide all persons subject Employee Retirement Income Security
at (202) 663–4191 (voice) or (202) 663– to Title II of GINA additional guidance Act (ERISA)); see also 29 CFR
4494 (TTY). with regard to the law’s requirements. 1635.3(a).6
See 75 FR 68912 (Nov. 9, 2010). Although similar to Title I of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title II of GINA prohibits the use of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Introduction genetic information in employment; in that both laws are concerned with
restricts employers and other entities limiting the use, acquisition, and
Congress enacted Title II of the covered by GINA 4 from requesting,
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination disclosure of medical information in the
requiring, or purchasing genetic employment setting, GINA, consistent
Act of 2008 (‘‘GINA’’), codified at 42 information, unless one or more of six
U.S.C. 2000ff et seq., to protect job with Congressional concern about the
narrow exceptions applies; and strictly uniquely personal nature of genetic
applicants, current and former limits the disclosure of genetic
employees, labor union members, and information, provides unique
information by GINA covered entities. protections. Unlike the ADA, which
apprentices and trainees from See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff et seq.; see also 29
employment discrimination based on allows employers to consider medical
CFR 1635.4–1635.9. The statute and the information in certain limited
their genetic information. In enacting Title II final rule say that ‘‘genetic
GINA, Congress noted, ‘‘New knowledge circumstances (such as using
information’’ includes: Information information from a post-offer medical
about genetics may allow for the about an individual’s genetic tests;
development of better therapies that are examination to determine an applicant’s
information about the genetic tests of a current ability to perform a job), GINA
more effective against disease or have family member; information about the
fewer side effects than current prohibits employers from using genetic
manifestation of a disease or disorder in information in employment decisions in
treatments. These advances give rise to family members of an individual (i.e.,
the potential misuse of genetic all circumstances, with no exceptions.7
family medical history); 5 requests for GINA also is stricter in its limits of the
information to discriminate in health and receipt of genetic services by an
insurance and employment.’’ See GINA acquisition of protected information
individual or a family member; and than the ADA. For example, even
Section 2(1), 42 U.S.C. 2000ff, note. genetic information about a fetus carried
Congress also expressed concerns about though the ADA allows an employer to
by an individual or family member or of require a medical examination of all
common misconceptions that an an embryo legally held by the
individual’s genetic predisposition for a employees to whom it has offered a
individual or family member using particular job, GINA limits the scope of
condition necessarily leads to the assisted reproductive technology. See 42
individuals developing the condition, medical examinations for employees
U.S.C. 2000ff(4) and 2000ff–8(b); see who have been offered a particular job
explaining that also 29 CFR 1635.3. Family members of insofar as it prohibits inquiries about
[a]n employer might use information about an individual include someone who is family medical history or other types of
an employee’s genetic profile to deny a dependent of an individual through genetic information. GINA likewise
employment to an individual who is healthy
and able to perform the job. With these 2 See, e.g., S. Rep. No. 110–48, at 7 (2007) (noting
prohibits employers from obtaining
misconceptions so prevalent, employers may that ‘‘a 2004 poll taken by the Genetics and Public family medical history or any other type
come to rely on genetic testing to ‘‘weed out’’ Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University found of genetic information through any
those employees who carry genes associated that 92 percent of those surveyed felt that medical examination required of
with diseases. Similarly, genetic traits may employers should not have access to genetic test employees for the purpose of
results’’ and that ‘‘[f]ears about the possible misuse
come to be used by health insurance of genetic knowledge appear to influence the determining continued fitness for duty.
companies to deny coverage to those who are public’s desire to protect the privacy of genetic
seen as ‘‘bad genetic risks.’’ Enabling information’’); see also id. at 10 (‘‘While people fear 6 The Commission’s definition of ‘‘dependent’’ is
employers, health insurers and others to base discriminatory action based on their genes, they solely for purposes of interpreting Title II of GINA,
decisions about individuals on the also fear the unauthorized disclosure or collection and is not relevant to interpreting the term
characteristics that are assumed to be their of genetic information. The need to protect the ‘‘dependent’’ under Title I of GINA or under section
genetic destiny would be an undesirable privacy of genetic information is important. 701(f)(2) of ERISA and the parallel provisions of the
Knowledge that a person has a particular medical Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Internal
outcome of our national investment in
condition or genetic trait may be embarrassing or Revenue Code (Code). See the preamble to EEOC’s
genetic research, and may significantly damaging to that individual, or his or her family regulations implementing Title II of GINA at 75 FR
diminish the benefits that this research members.’’). 68914, note 5 (November 9, 2010) and the preamble
offers.1 3 S. Rep. No. 110–48, at 10 (2007); H.R. Rep. No.
to the regulations implementing Title I of GINA at
110–28, pt. 3, at 29. 74 FR 51664, 51666 (October 7, 2009) for additional
Congress enacted GINA to address 4 Unless otherwise noted, the term ‘‘GINA’’ refers information.
concerns prevalent at the time that to Title II of GINA. 7 Sec. 202(a) of Title II of GINA limits employer
individuals would not take advantage of 5 Congress recognized ‘‘that a family medical use of genetic information. Employers cannot ‘‘fail
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the increasing number of genetic tests history could be used as a surrogate for genetic or refuse to hire, or to discharge, any employee, or
traits by a health plan or health insurance issuer. otherwise discriminate against any employee with
that could inform them as to whether A consistent history of a heritable disease in a respect to the compensation, terms, conditions, or
they were at risk of developing specific patient’s family may be viewed to indicate that the privileges of employment’’ or otherwise ‘‘limit,
diseases or disorders due to fear that patient himself or herself is at increased risk for that segregate, or classify the employees’’ in any way
genetic information would be used to disease.’’ For that reason, Congress believed it was that would tend to deprive the employee of
important to include family medical history in the employment opportunities based on genetic
definition of ‘‘genetic information.’’ S. Rep. No. information. Section 202(a) provides no exceptions
1 H. Rep. 110–28, Part 1, 28 (Mar. 5, 2007). 110–48, at 28 (2007). to prohibitions on employer use.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules 66855
There are only six very limited Although the EEOC received no genetic information. When an employer
circumstances in which an employer 8 comments prior to the publication of the seeks information from a spouse (who is
may request, require, or purchase Title II final rule in 2010 regarding how a ‘‘family member’’ under GINA as set
genetic information about an applicant GINA’s restriction on employers’ forth at 29 CFR 1635.3(a)(1)) about his
or employee. One of the six narrow acquiring genetic information interacts or her current or past health status, the
exceptions to GINA’s acquisition with the practice of offering employees employer is also treated under GINA as
prohibition permits employers that offer inducements where a spouse requesting genetic information about the
health or genetic services, including participates in a wellness program, this employee. This is because GINA defines
such services offered as part of question has arisen since publication of the term ‘‘genetic information’’ of an
voluntary wellness programs,9 to the final rule. The EEOC has received employee broadly to include
request genetic information as part of numerous inquiries about whether an information about a family member’s
these programs, as long as certain employer will violate GINA and, in (including a spouse’s) current or past
specific requirements are met.10 particular, 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2), by health status.13 However, the EEOC’s
U.S.C. 2000ff–1(b)(2), 2000ff–2(b)(2), offering an employee an inducement if regulations specifically permit
2000ff–3(b)(2), 2000ff–4(b)(2); see also the employee’s spouse who is covered employers to seek such information
29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2). The regulations under the employer’s group health from a family member who is receiving
implementing Title II currently make plan 12 completes a health risk health or genetic services from the
clear that one of the requirements is that assessment (HRA)—including those employer, including such services
the wellness program cannot condition involving a medical questionnaire, a offered as part of a voluntary wellness
inducements to employees on the medical examination (e.g., to detect high program, as long as each of the
provision of genetic information. This blood pressure or high cholesterol), or requirements of 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i)
requirement is derived from Title I of both—that seeks information about the concerning health or genetic services
GINA’s explicit prohibition against spouse’s current or past health status, in provided on a voluntary basis are met.
adjusting premium or contribution connection with the spouse’s receipt of See 29 CFR 1635.8(c)(2).
amounts on the basis of genetic health or genetic services as part of an The proposed regulations would
information.11 employer-sponsored wellness program. clarify that GINA does not prohibit
See, e.g., Letter from the ERISA Industry employers from offering limited
8 GINA applies to individuals and covered Committee to EEOC (February 17, 2012) inducements (whether in the form of
entities in addition to employees and employers, available at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/ rewards or penalties avoided 14) for the
including employment agencies, unions and their meetings/5-8-13/moore.cfm (attachment provision by spouses (covered by the
members, and joint-labor management training and employer’s group health plan) of
apprenticeship programs. See 42 U.S.C. 2000ff–1, to written testimony). Online reports
2000ff–2, 2000ff–3 and 2000ff–4 (describing the have raised the same concern. See, e.g., information about their current or past
prohibited practices of each of these entities); see Tower Watson, Health Care Reform health status as part of a HRA, which
also 29 CFR 1635.2(b) (definition of covered entity) Bulletin (Oct. 2011) available at http:// may include a medical questionnaire, a
and 29 CFR 1635.4 (description of prohibited medical examination (e.g., to detect high
practices). For the sake of readability, and www.towerswatson.com/en/Insights/
recognizing that employers will be the covered Newsletters/Americas/health-care- blood pressure or high cholesterol), or
entity most likely to offer wellness programs, the reform-bulletin/2011/Providing- both, as long as the requirements of 29
NPRM will refer to employers and employees Financial-Incentives-for-an-Employees- CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i) are satisfied. These
throughout. requirements include that the provision
9 A wellness program, defined as a ‘‘program Spouse-to-Complete-a-Health-Risk-
Assessment. Two panelists also raised of genetic information be voluntary and
offered by an employer that is designed to promote
health or prevent disease,’’ is one type of health or this question during a May 2013 that the individual from whom the
genetic service that an employer might offer. Commission meeting on Wellness genetic information is being obtained
Section 2705(j)(1)(A) of the PHSA, as amended by
Programs. See Written Testimony of provides prior, knowing, voluntary, and
the Affordable Care Act. A wellness program that written authorization, which may
provides medical care (including genetic Leslie Silverman available at http://
counseling) may constitute a group health plan www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/5-8-13/ include authorization in electronic
required to comply with section 9802 of the Code, silverman.cfm and Written Testimony of format.15
26 U.S.C. 9802, section 702 of the ERISA, 29 U.S.C.
1182, or section 2705 of the PHSA (i.e., Title I of
Amy Moore available at http:// 13 The term ‘‘genetic information’’ includes ‘‘the
GINA). Regulations issued under these statutes www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/5-8-13/ manifestation of a disease or disorder in family
address wellness programs that collect genetic moore.cfm. members of [an] individual.’’ 42 U.S.C.
information. Moreover, wellness programs that Read in one way, conditioning all or 2000ff(4)(a)(ii). An individual’s family members
condition rewards on an individual satisfying a include anyone who is ‘‘a dependent (as such term
standard related to a health factor must meet
part of an inducement on the provision
is used for purposes of section 1181(f)(2) of Title
additional requirements. See 26 CFR 54.9802–1(f), of the spouse’s current or past health 29), which includes a spouse. 42 U.S.C. 2000ff(3)(a).
29 CFR 2590.702(f), and 45 CFR 146.121(f). In information could be read to violate the See also 29 CFR 1635.3(a)(1) (defining ‘‘family
addition, EEOC has issued proposed rules that 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(ii) prohibition on member’’ to include ‘‘[a] person who is a dependent
would amend the regulations and interpretive . . . as the result of marriage . . .’’).
guidance implementing Title I of the ADA as they
providing financial inducements in
14 Under the PHSA, as amended by the Affordable
relate to employer wellness programs. See 80 FR return for an employee’s protected
Care Act, when a wellness program offers a reward,
21659 (April 20, 2015). the term refers both to obtaining a reward (such as
10 Other health or genetic services include Title I’s prohibition on adjusting premium or a discount or rebate of a premium or contribution,
services such as an Employee Assistance Program contribution amounts on the basis of genetic a waiver of all or part of a cost-sharing mechanism,
or a health clinic that provides flu shots. Under information. For more on the protections provided an additional benefit, or any financial or other
GINA, employers may request genetic information by Title I of GINA, see www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq- incentive) and avoiding a penalty (such as the
as part of such health or genetic services, as long GINA.html. For a discussion of how Titles I and II absence of a premium surcharge or other financial
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
as the requirements of 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) are met. of GINA allow employers and plans to use financial or nonfinancial disincentive). See 26 CFR 54.9802–
11 Title I of GINA applies to genetic information inducements to promote employee wellness and 1(f)(1)(i), 29 CFR 2590.702(f)(1)(i), and 45 CFR
discrimination in health insurance and not healthy lifestyles, see the preamble to the GINA 146.121(f)(1)(i). We have adopted this definition.
employment. In the Commission’s original GINA Title II final rule at 75 FR 68923 (November 9, 15 The GINA notice and authorization
Title II regulation, the Commission, in consultation 2010). requirement, which was included in the EEOC’s
with the federal agencies responsible for enforcing 12 The term ‘‘group health plan’’ includes both regulations pursuant to a specific statutory
Title I, determined that permitting employers to insured and self-insured group health plans and is requirement, see 42 U.S.C. 2000ff–(1)(b)(2)(B), is
condition wellness program inducements on the used interchangeably with the terms ‘‘health plan’’ only met if the covered entity uses an authorization
provision of genetic information would undermine and ‘‘the plan’’ in this NPRM. Continued
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The Commission further proposes to although an employer may offer health Furthermore, while the proposal
add to the existing 1635.8(b)(2) or genetic services (including allows inducements in return for a
requirements a requirement that any participation in a wellness program) to spouse’s current and past health status,
health or genetic services in connection an employee’s children on a voluntary it does not allow inducements in return
with which an employer requests basis and may ask questions about a for the spouse providing his or her own
genetic information be reasonably child’s current or past health status as genetic information, including the
designed to promote health or prevent part of providing such services. results of his or her genetic tests.
disease. This addition will make the Although information about the Limiting inducements in this way not
revised GINA regulations consistent manifestation of disease or disorder in only promotes consistency with Title I
with the proposed rule amending the spouses or children is genetic of GINA, which prohibits inducements
ADA’s regulations as they relate to information protected by GINA, in return for the genetic information of
wellness programs, which permits adopting a very narrow exception that a spouse who is a plan participant, but
employers to collect medical permits inducements only for a spouse’s also ensures that the exception to the
information as part of a wellness current or past health status strikes the prohibition on inducements in return
program only if the program and the appropriate balance between GINA’s for genetic information is drawn
disability-related inquiries and medical goal of providing strong protections narrowly.18 See 42 U.S.C. 300gg–
examinations that are part of the against employment discrimination 4(b)(3)(A). Additionally, this approach
program are reasonably designed to based on the possibility that an has the advantage of reducing
promote health or prevent disease. employee may develop a disease or administrative burdens on employers by
These regulations further propose that disorder in the future or may face allowing them to use the same HRA—
inducements in exchange for current or discrimination because a family member with questions about family medical
past health status information about an is expected to become ill in the future, history and other genetic information
employee’s children (biological and and the goal of the wellness program clearly identified and a statement that
non-biological 16) are not permitted, provisions of the Health Insurance these questions need not be answered in
Portability and Accountability Act order to receive an inducement—for
form that (1) is written so that the individual from (‘‘HIPAA’’), as amended by the employees and their spouses.
whom the genetic information is being obtained is Affordable Care Act, of promoting This proposal would not alter the
reasonably likely to understand it; (2) describes the
type of genetic information that will be obtained participation in employer-sponsored absolute prohibition against the use of
and the general purpose for which it will be used; wellness programs. There is minimal, if genetic information in making
and (3) describes the restrictions on disclosure of any, chance of eliciting information employment decisions. Were an
genetic information. The GINA notice and about an employee’s own genetic make- employer to use information about a
authorization rule also requires that individually
identifiable genetic information is provided only to up or predisposition for disease from spouse’s current or past health status to
the individual (or family member if the family the information about current or past make an employment decision about an
member is receiving genetic services) and the health status of the employee’s spouse. employee, it would violate GINA’s
licensed health care professionals or board certified By contrast, there is a significantly prohibition on using genetic
genetic counselors involved in providing such
services, and is not accessible to managers, higher likelihood of eliciting information.19 Nor would the proposal
supervisors, or others who make employment information about an employee’s own permit inducements in return for
decisions, or to anyone else in the workplace; and, genetic make-up or predisposition for genetic information of an employee in
finally, that any individually identifiable genetic disease from information about the any circumstance other than where an
information provided under 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) is
only available for purposes of such services and is
current or past health status of the employee’s spouse who is enrolled in
not disclosed to the covered entity except in employee’s children, which is why the the employer’s group health plan
aggregate terms that do not disclose the identity of proposed revision does not permit provides information about his or her
specific individuals. See 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i). inducements in exchange for such current or past health as part of a HRA.
When an employer requests only current or past
health status information from the employee’s
information. Further, the legislative Inducements in return for information
spouse, authorization by the spouse for the history makes clear that Congress was
acquisition of the information will suffice to meet particularly concerned about allowing (‘‘Many people are also afraid of affecting their
GINA’s requirement; the employee does not have to employers access to information children’s ability to get jobs or obtain insurance. So
separately authorize acquisition of the spouse’s without adequate protections against
current or past health status information. See 29
revealing the possible genetic discrimination, people may forgo genetic testing,
CFR 1635.8(b)(2)(i)(B). conditions of employees’ children.17 even in cases where the results have the potential
The ADA does not have the same statutory to save their lives or the lives of their family.’’);
requirement for authorization as is in GINA. In light dependent ‘‘as the result of marriage, birth, Statement of Sen. Brownback, id. (‘‘Genetic
of this statutory difference, the NPRM on the ADA adoption or placement for adoption). Family discrimination against anyone is unacceptable,
and wellness programs published by the members also include first- through fourth-degree particularly those who are next generation, our
Commission on April 20, 2015 would require a relatives of an individual or of the individual’s children.’’); Statement of Sen. Olympia Snowe
notice to employees in connection with such a HRA dependents. 29 CFR 1635.3(a)(2). Thus, information (noting constituent’s fears that having the BRAC test
where a wellness program is part of a group health about the manifested disease or disorder of a ‘‘would ruin her daughter’s ability to obtain
plan. The notice must clearly explain what medical stepchild—the first-degree relative of an employee’s insurance in the future.’’) id. at S3367.
information will be obtained, how it will be used, spouse—is genetic information about the employee. 18 See John Hancock Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Harris
who will receive it, and the restrictions on 17 GINA’s legislative history recognized ‘‘that a Trust & Sav. Bank, 510 U.S. 86, 97 (1993) (‘‘[W]e
disclosure. See 80 FR 21659 (April 20, 2015). The family medical history could be used as a surrogate [are] inclined, generally, to tight reading of
ADA proposed rule did not include an for [an employee’s] genetic traits, [and that] a exemptions from comprehensive [statutory]
authorization requirement, although EEOC asked in consistent history of a heritable disease in a schemes.’’) citing Commissioner v. Clark, 489 U.S.
the preamble whether one should be part of the patient’s family may be viewed to indicate that the 726, 739–40 (1989) (when a general policy is
final rule. The ADA proposed rule cannot alter the patient himself or herself is at increased risk for that qualified by an exception, the Court ‘‘usually
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
statutory authorization requirements under GINA. disease.’’ S. Rep. No. 110–48, at 28 (2007). See, e.g., read[s] the exception narrowly in order to the
16 GINA defines information about the Statement of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, GINA’s preserve the primary operation of the [policy]’’),
manifestation of a disease or disorder in an principal sponsor in the Senate, 154 Cong. Rec. and A.H. Phillips, Inc. v. Walling, 324 U.S. 490, 493
employee’s adopted child to be genetic information S3363, S337 (Apr. 28, 2008) (noting concerns of (1945).
about the employee. See 29 CFR 1635.3(c)(1)(ii) mother who paid out of pocket for anonymous 19 If the information about the spouse disclosed
(genetic information includes information about the genetic testing because she feared that the results a disability, the employer would also violate the
‘‘manifestation of disease or disorder in family would be used to discriminate against her ADA’s prohibition on discrimination based on
members of the individual’’) and 1635.3(a)(1) (a daughters); Statement of Senator Christopher Dodd, association with someone with a disability. See 42
family member includes anyone who is a 154 Cong. Rec. S3363, S3369–70 (Apr. 28, 2008) U.S.C. 12112(b)(4).
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![66860 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules
we do with all of our new regulations Finally, GINA’s plain language (at 42 medical inquiries from application
and policy documents.26 U.S.C. 2000ff–(1)(b)(2)) and EEOC’s forms, suggests that revising
We estimate that there are regulations (at 29 CFR 1635.8(b)(2) and questionnaires to eliminate or alter an
approximately 782,000 employers with (c)(2)) make it clear that an employer instruction would not impose
15 or more employees subject to Title II must obtain authorization for the significant costs.
of GINA 27 and, of that number, one half collection of genetic information as part
to two thirds (391,000 to 521,333) offer To the extent that employers will
of providing health or genetic services
some type of wellness program.28 expend resources to train human
to employees and their family members
Assuming that nearly half of employer on a voluntary basis. Consequently, this resources staff and others on the revised
wellness programs are open for proposed rule imposes no new rule, we reiterate that the EEOC
participation by the spouses or obligations with respect to authorization conducts extensive outreach and
dependents of workers, and using the for the collection of genetic information. technical assistance programs, many of
highest estimates, we assume that We welcome comments on this and all them at no cost to employers, to assist
approximately 260,667 employers will of our conclusions concerning the in the training of relevant personnel on
be covered by this requirement.29 We benefits and burdens of the revisions. EEO-related issues. For example, in FY
further estimate that the typical human 2013, the agency’s outreach programs
resources professional will need to Paperwork Reduction Act reached more than 280,000 persons
dedicate, at most, 60 minutes to gain a This proposal contains no new through participation in more than
satisfactory understanding of the revised information collection requirements 3,800 no-cost educational, training and
regulations and that the median hourly subject to review by the Office of outreach events. We expect to put
pay rate of a human resources Management and Budget under the information about the revisions to the
professional is approximately $49.41. Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. GINA regulations in our outreach
See Bureau of Labor Statistics, chapter 35). programs in general and to continue to
Occupational Employment and Wages, offer GINA-specific outreach programs
Regulatory Flexibility Act
May 2014 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/ which will, of course, include
current/oes113121.htm. Assuming that Title II of GINA applies to all information about the revisions once the
an employer will train up to three employers with 15 or more employees, proposed rule becomes final. We will
human resources professionals/ approximately 764,233 of which are also post technical assistance
managers on the requirements of this small firms (entities with 15–500 documents on our Web site explaining
rule, we estimate that initial training employees) according to data provided the revisions to the GINA regulations, as
costs will be approximately by the Small Business Administration we do with all of our new regulations
38,638,670.00.30 Office of Advocacy. See Firm Size Data, and policy documents.
at http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/849/
26 See, e.g., http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/ 12162. We estimate that the typical human
genetic.cfm for documents explaining Title II of The Commission certifies under 5 resources professional will need to
GINA. U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule dedicate, at most, 60 minutes to gain a
27 See Firm Size Data, at http://www.sba.gov/
will not have a significant economic satisfactory understanding of the revised
advocacy/849/12162.
28 See Rand Health, Workplace Wellness impact on a substantial number of small regulations. We further estimate that the
Programs Study Final Report (2013), sponsored by entities because it imposes no reporting median hourly pay rate of a human
the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and burdens and only minimal costs on such resources professional is approximately
Human Services, available at http://www.rand.org/ $49.41. See Bureau of Labor Statistics,
content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/
firms. The proposed rule simply
RR254/RAND_RR254.pdf (hereinafter referred to as clarifies that employers that offer Occupational Employment and Wages,
the RAND Final Study). See also The Kaiser Family wellness programs are free to adopt a May 2014 at http://www.bls.gov/oes/
Foundation and Health Research & Educational certain type of inducement without current/oes113121.htm. Assuming that
Trust 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey,
available at http://kff.org/health-costs/report/2014-
violating GINA. It also corrects an small entities have between one and five
employer-health-benefits-survey/ [hereinafter internal citation and provides citations human resources professionals/
referred to as the Kaiser Survey]. According to the to the Affordable Care Act. It does not managers, we estimate that the cost per
RAND Final Report, ‘‘approximately half of U.S. require any action on the part of covered entity of providing appropriate training
employers offer wellness promotion initiatives.’’ By
contrast, the Kaiser Survey found that ‘‘[s]eventy- entities, except to the extent that those will be between approximately $49.41
four percent of employers offering health benefits’’ entities created documentation or forms and $247.05. The EEOC does not believe
offer at least one wellness program. which cite to GINA for the proposition that this cost will be significant for the
29 Although the Kaiser Survey reports that 51
that the entity is unable to offer impacted small entities. We urge small
percent of large employers versus 32 percent of
small employers ask employees to complete a HRA,
inducements to employees in return for entities to submit comments concerning
we are not aware of any data indicating what a spouse’s completion of HRAs that the EEOC’s estimates of the number of
percentage of those employers provide spouses with request information about the spouse’s small entities affected, as well as the
the opportunity to participate in the HRA. We current or past health. We do not have
therefore have substituted a more general statistic
cost to those entities.
to allow an estimate of the number of employers
data on the number or size of businesses
who will be covered by the requirements of this that may need to alter documents Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
proposed rule. See Kaiser Foundation, Workplace relating to their wellness programs.
Wellness Programs Characteristics and However, our experience with enforcing This proposed rule will not result in
Requirements (2015), available at http://kff.org/
the ADA, which required all employers the expenditure by state, local, or tribal
private-insurance/issue-brief/workplace-wellness- governments, in the aggregate, or by the
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
programs-characteristics-and-requirements/ (Noting with 15 or more employees to remove
that nearly half (48 percent) of employer wellness
private sector, of $100 million or more
programs are open for participation by the spouses Summary available at https://www.shrm.org/ in any one year, and it will not
or dependents of workers, as well as workers). Research/SurveyFindings/Articles/Documents/09- significantly or uniquely affect small
30 A study published in 2009 by the Society for 0620_Human_Cap_Benchmark_FULL_FNL.pdf. governments. Therefore, no actions were
Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that Because we are not aware of any more specific data deemed necessary under the provisions
the median number of full-time equivalents for a on the average number of human resources
HR department was three. See SHRM Human professionals per covered employer, we have based of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Capital Benchmarking Study, 2009 Executive our estimates on this figure. of 1995.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules 66861
List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1635 that include questions about family the employer may not offer an
Administrative practice and medical history or other genetic inducement greater than 30 percent of
procedure, Equal employment information, provided the covered $14,000, or $4,200.
opportunity. entity makes clear, in language (iv) When an employer offers an
reasonably likely to be understood by inducement for an employee and the
Dated: October 27, 2015. those completing the health risk employee’s spouse to participate in a
For the Commission. assessment, that the inducement will be wellness program that requests
Jenny R. Yang, made available whether or not the information about the spouse’s current
Chair. participant answers questions regarding or past health status:
genetic information. (A) The maximum amount of the
For the reasons set forth in the
* * * * * inducement for an employee’s spouse to
preamble, the EEOC proposes to amend
(iii) Consistent with the requirements provide information about current or
chapter XIV of title 29 of the Code of
of paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this past health status may not exceed 30
Federal Regulations as follows:
section, a covered entity may offer, as percent of the total cost of coverage for
PART 1635—[AMENDED] part of its health plan, an inducement to the plan in which the employee is
an employee whose spouse provides enrolled less 30 percent of the total cost
■ 1. The authority citation for 29 CFR information about the spouse’s own of self-only coverage. For example, if an
part 1635 is revised to read as follows: current or past health status as part of employer offers health insurance
Authority: 29 U.S.C. 2000ff. a health risk assessment when the coverage at a total cost of $14,000 for
employee has elected coverage for any employees and their dependents and
■ 2. In § 1635.8(b): $6,000 for self-only coverage, the
class of dependents under the health
■ a. Redesignate paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A) maximum inducement the employer can
plan, and the spouse is included in such
through (D) as paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(B) offer for the employee and the
coverage. No inducement may be
through (E); employee’s spouse to provide
■ b. Add new paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A);
offered, however, in return for the
spouse’s providing his or her own information about their current or past
■ c. Revise paragraph (b)(2)(ii)
genetic information, including results of health status is 30 percent of $14,000, or
introductory text; $4,200. The maximum amount of the
■ d. Redesignate paragraphs (b)(2)(iii)
his or her genetic tests, for the current
or past health status information of an $4,200 inducement that could be offered
and (iv) as paragraphs (b)(2)(v) and (vii); for the employee’s spouse to provide
■ e. Add new paragraphs (b)(2)(iii), employee’s children, or for the genetic
information of an employee’s child. The current or past health status information
(b)(2)(iv), and (b)(2)(vi);
health risk assessment, which may is $4,200 minus $1,800 (30 percent of
■ f. Revise newly redesignated
include a medical questionnaire, a the cost of self-only coverage), or $2,400
paragraph (b)(2)(vii).
medical examination (e.g., to detect high (B) The maximum amount of the
■ g. Revise paragraph (c)(2).
blood pressure or high cholesterol), or inducement the employer may offer to
The revisions and additions read as
both, must otherwise comply with the employee for participation is 30
follows:
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section in the percent of the cost of self-only coverage.
§ 1635.8 Acquisition of genetic same manner as if completed by the For example, if an employer offers
information. employee, including the requirement health insurance coverage at a total cost
* * * * * that the spouse provide prior, knowing, of $14,000 for employees and their
(b) * * * voluntary, and written authorization, dependents and $6,000 for self-only
(2) * * * and the requirement that the coverage, the maximum inducement
(i) * * * authorization form describe the that may be offered for the employee to
(A) The health or genetic services, confidentiality protections and respond to disability-related inquiries or
including any acquisition of genetic restrictions on the disclosure of genetic take medical examinations is $1,800.
information that is part of those information. The health risk assessment * * * * *
services, are reasonably designed to must also be administered in connection (vi) A covered entity may not,
promote health or prevent disease. A with the spouse’s receipt of health or however, condition participation in a
program satisfies this standard if it has genetic services offered by the wellness program or provide any
a reasonable chance of improving the employer, including such services inducement to an employee, or the
health of, or preventing disease in, offered as part of a wellness program. spouse or other covered dependent of
participating individuals, and it is not This inducement, when combined with the employee, in exchange for an
overly burdensome, is not a subterfuge any other inducement permitted under agreement permitting the sale of genetic
for violating Title II of GINA or other Title I of the Americans with information, including information
laws prohibiting employment Disabilities Act (ADA), for an about the current health status of an
discrimination, and is not highly employee’s participation in a wellness employee’s family member, or otherwise
suspect in the method chosen to program that asks disability-related waiving the protections of § 1635.9.
promote health or prevent disease. questions or requires medical (vii) Nothing contained in paragraphs
* * * * * examinations, may not exceed 30 (b)(2)(ii) through (vi) of this section
(ii) Consistent with the requirements percent of the total cost of the coverage limits the rights or protections of an
of paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, a under the plan in which an employee individual under the Americans with
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
covered entity may not offer an and the spouse are enrolled. For Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, or
inducement (financial or in-kind), example, if an employer offers health other applicable civil rights laws, or
whether in the form of a reward or insurance coverage at a total cost of under the Health Insurance Portability
penalty, for individuals to provide $14,000 for employees and their and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as
genetic information, except as described dependents (including spouses) and amended by GINA. For example, if an
in paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and (iv) of this provides the option of participating in a employer offers an inducement for
section, but may offer inducements for wellness program to employees and participation in disease management
completion of health risk assessments spouses who are covered by the plan, programs or other programs that
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![66862 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 210 / Friday, October 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules
promote healthy lifestyles and/or member who is covered by the prohibiting emissions that will have
require individuals to meet particular employer’s group health plan and is certain adverse air quality effects in
health goals, the employer must make completing a health risk assessment on other states. On June 28, 2010, the State
reasonable accommodations to the a voluntary basis in connection with the of Idaho made a submittal to the
extent required by the ADA; that is, the family member’s receipt of health or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
employer must make ‘‘modifications or genetic services (including health or to address these requirements. The EPA
adjustments that enable a covered genetic services provided as part of a is proposing to approve the submittal as
entity’s employee with a disability to wellness program) offered by the meeting the requirement that each SIP
enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employer in compliance with paragraph contain adequate provisions to prohibit
employment as are enjoyed by its other (b)(2) of this section. emissions that will contribute
similarly situated employees without * * * * * significantly to nonattainment or
disabilities’’ unless ‘‘such covered entity ■ 3. In § 1635.11, revise paragraphs interfere with maintenance of the 2008
can demonstrate that the (b)(1)(iii) and (iv) to read as follows: ozone National Ambient Air Quality
accommodation would impose an Standard (NAAQS) in any other state.
undue hardship on the operation of its § 1635.11 Construction.
DATES: Written comments must be
business.’’ 29 CFR 1630.2(o)(1)(iii); 29 * * * * * received on or before November 30,
CFR 1630.9(a). In addition, if the (b) * * * 2015.
employer’s wellness program provides (1) * * *
(iii) Section 702(a)(1)(F) of ERISA (29 ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
(directly, through reimbursement, or
U.S.C. 1182(a)(1)(F)), section 2705(a)(6) identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R10–
otherwise) medical care (including
of the Public Health Service Act OAR–2015–0258, by any of the
genetic counseling), the program may
(PHSA), as amended by section 1201 of following methods:
constitute a group health plan and must • http://www.regulations.gov: Follow
comply with the special requirements the Affordable Care Act and section
9802(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue the on-line instructions for submitting
for wellness programs that condition comments.
rewards on an individual satisfying a Code (26 U.S.C. 9802(a)(1)(F)), which
prohibit a group health plan or a health • Email: R10-Public_Comments@
standard related to a health factor, epa.gov
including the requirement to provide an insurance issuer in the group or
individual market from discriminating • Mail: Kristin Hall, EPA Region 10,
individual with a ‘‘reasonable Office of Air, Waste and Toxics (AWT–
alternative (or waiver of the otherwise against individuals in eligibility and
continued eligibility for benefits based 150), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900,
applicable standard)’’ under HIPAA, Seattle, WA 98101
when ‘‘it is unreasonably difficult due on genetic information; or
(iv) Section 702(b)(1) of ERISA (29 • Hand Delivery/Courier: EPA Region
to a medical condition to satisfy’’ or 10 9th Floor Mailroom, 1200 Sixth
‘‘medically inadvisable to attempt to U.S.C. 1182(b)(1)), section 2705(b)(1) of
the PHSA, as amended by section 1201 Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA 98101.
satisfy’’ the otherwise applicable Attention: Kristin Hall, Office of Air,
standard. See section 9802 of the of the Affordable Care Act and section
9802(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code Waste and Toxics, AWT–150. Such
Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 9802, deliveries are only accepted during
26 CFR 54.9802–1 and 54.9802–3T), (26 U.S.C. 9802(b)(1)), as such sections
apply with respect to genetic normal hours of operation, and special
section 702 of the Employee Retirement arrangements should be made for
Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) information as a health status-related
factor, which prohibit a group health deliveries of boxed information.
(29 U.S.C. 1182, 29 CFR 2590.702 and Instructions: Direct your comments to
2590.702–1), and section 2705 of the plan or a health insurance issuer in the
group or individual market from Docket ID No. EPA–R10–OAR–2015–
PHSA (45 CFR 146.121 and 146.122), as 0258. The EPA’s policy is that all
amended by section 1201 of the discriminating against individuals in
premium or contribution rates under the comments received will be included in
Affordable Care Act. the public docket without change and
plan or coverage based on genetic
* * * * * may be made available online at http://
information.
(c) * * * www.regulations.gov, including any
(2) A covered entity does not violate * * * * * personal information provided, unless
[FR Doc. 2015–27734 Filed 10–29–15; 8:45 am]
this section when, consistent with the comment includes information
BILLING CODE P
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, it claimed to be Confidential Business
requests, requires, or purchases genetic Information (CBI) or other information
information or information about the whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
manifestation of a disease, disorder, or ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Do not submit information that you
pathological condition of an AGENCY consider to be CBI or otherwise
individual’s family member who is protected through http://
40 CFR Part 52
receiving health or genetic services on a www.regulations.gov or email. The
voluntary basis. For example, an [EPA–R10–OAR–2015–0258; FRL–9936–31– http://www.regulations.gov Web site is
employer does not unlawfully acquire Region 10] an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
genetic information about an employee means the EPA will not know your
when it asks the employee’s family Approval and Promulgation of identity or contact information unless
member who is receiving health services Implementation Plans; Idaho: you provide it in the body of your
Interstate Transport of Ozone
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
from the employer if her diabetes is comment. If you send an email
under control. Nor does an employer AGENCY: Environmental Protection comment directly to the EPA without
unlawfully acquire genetic information Agency. going through http://
about an employee when it seeks ACTION: Proposed rule. www.regulations.gov your email address
information—through a medical will be automatically captured and
questionnaire, a medical examination, SUMMARY: The Clean Air Act (CAA) included as part of the comment that is
or both—about the current or past requires each State Implementation Plan placed in the public docket and made
health status of the employee’s family (SIP) to contain adequate provisions available on the Internet. If you submit
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Document Created: 2015-12-14 15:29:25
Document Modified: 2015-12-14 15:29:25
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Comments regarding this proposal must be received by the Commission on or before December 29, 2015. Please see the section below | |
| Contact | Christopher J. Kuczynski, Assistant Legal Counsel, at (202) 663-4665 (voice), or Kerry E. Leibig, Senior Attorney Advisor, at (202) 663-4516 (voice), or (202) 663-7026 (TTY). Requests for this notice in an alternative format should be made to the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs at (202) 663-4191 (voice) or (202) 663-4494 (TTY). | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 66853 | |
| RIN Number | 3046-AB02 | |
| CFR Associated | Administrative Practice and Procedure and Equal Employment Opportunity |
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