NY S00815

Allows insurers and health maintenance organizations to offer actuarially-justified premium reductions or other benefits for participation in qualified wellness programs, subject to superintendent approval.

Defines qualified wellness programs as systematic programs that promote physical and mental fitness, prevent or mitigate acute or chronic conditions, and may include education programs, behavioral incentive programs, and progress monitoring.

Specifies that wellness program elements may include health risk assessments, smoking cessation, weight management, stress management, fitness incentives, chronic pain management, substance abuse cessation, employer health promotion assistance, and preventive service incentives.

Prohibits insurers from requiring specific health outcomes as a condition of wellness program participation, and requires wellness programs to demonstrate actuarially that they promote the general good health of the covered population.

Applies to individual and group health insurance policies across multiple insurance law articles covering different types of insurers and small employers, with an effective date of 180 days after enactment.