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Alternative Participation Standard

Meaning

A secondary, non-discriminatory method for an individual to qualify for a wellness program’s incentive when a primary, health-contingent standard is medically inadvisable or unreasonably difficult due to a physiological or hormonal condition. This standard ensures equitable access to benefits for individuals with chronic endocrine challenges, recognizing that biological variability and existing health states may preclude achieving the standard clinical metrics. The focus shifts to a reasonable, physician-approved course of action, not merely a numerical biometric outcome. It is a critical safeguard against penalizing those with complex, pre-existing health issues.