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Health-Contingent Reward Analysis

Meaning

Health-Contingent Reward Analysis is a clinical and behavioral science framework used to evaluate the effectiveness, fairness, and potential for coercion within wellness programs that offer incentives or penalties tied to specific health outcomes or behaviors. This analysis assesses whether the financial or non-financial reward is truly contingent upon achieving a defined, measurable health standard, such as a specific BMI or blood pressure target. From a regulatory standpoint, this analysis is critical for ensuring compliance with non-discrimination laws like HIPAA and the ADA, particularly concerning the structure of “outcome-based” wellness programs. It is a key tool for ethical and legal program design, ensuring fairness to all participants.