1. 1 Wellness Tax Credit Program Indiana State Department of Health

2. 2 Where it came from… Part of the 2007 bill that increased the cigarette tax Focused on encouraging small employers to start wellness programming Assist with the costs incurred

3. 3 Who is eligible? Small employers in Indiana Small employer is 2-100 employees Small employer is 2-100 employees Must be actively engaged in business Must be actively engaged in business Majority of employees work in Indiana Majority of employees work in Indiana

4. 4 What is the benefit? Employer is entitled to a credit of 50% of the costs incurred for providing a qualified wellness program Provides opportunity for employers with minimal budgets for wellness 73% of businesses in Indiana have between 2-100 employees!

5. 5 What is a qualified wellness program? Must include all 3 of the following areas: Appropriate weight loss; Appropriate weight loss; Smoking cessation; and Smoking cessation; and Pursuit of preventative health care services Pursuit of preventative health care services Under each of these 3 target areas, 4 components need to be addressed Assessment of employee health Assessment of employee health Educational materials Educational materials Rewards program Rewards program Measurement tool Measurement tool

6. 6 How to apply Program is administered by the Indiana State Department of Health www.wellnesstaxcredit.gov Program outline must be submitted through website by annual deadline

7. 7 Once it is submitted… Plan is reviewed by the wellness tax credit advisory board Either approved or denied Applicant is notified of advisory board decision Advisory board typically meets every other month throughout the year

8. 8 If you are denied Notified of denial Feedback given on necessary improvements Able to make corrections, and re-submit in the same year (before annual deadline) There is no restriction on number of times application can be submitted in a year

9. 9 If you are approved Notified of approval Considered a certified wellness program by the Indiana State Department of Health Certificate of approval is sent to you Application is submitted each year for approval Able to apply for tax credit through Department of Revenue Congratulations on making the health of your employees an priority!

10. H OW DO I GET STARTED ? J ANE E LLERY, P H.D. F ISHER I NSTITUTE FOR W ELLNESS AND G ERONTOLOGY B ALL S TATE U NIVERSITY 10

11. Partnerships - Internal Hire a Wellness Manager – or send an employee for professional development Wellness Committee WELLNESS CHAMPION WELLNESS CHAMPION Human Resources Human Resources EAP EAP Safety/OSHA Safety/OSHA Training and Development Training and Development Who else? Who else? 11

12. Partnerships - External Organizations Indiana State Department of Health/Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity Indiana State Department of Health/Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity Wellness Councils of America/Wellness Council of Indiana/Indiana Chamber of Commerce Wellness Councils of America/Wellness Council of Indiana/Indiana Chamber of Commerce National, State, and Local Non-Profits National, State, and Local Non-Profits Service Providers Independent Contractors Independent Contractors Health Plans Health Plans Benefit Brokers Benefit Brokers Universities – BSU Health Fellows/Building Better Communities Universities – BSU Health Fellows/Building Better Communities 12

13. Assessment of Employee Health Health Risk Assessment/Appraisal or an Individual Wellness Assessment Coordinated through a service provider, your health plan, or internally Coordinated through a service provider, your health plan, or internally Questionnaires specific to weight, smoking or preventive health services Which preventive health services? 13

14. Educational Materials/ Interventions InShape Indiana (www.in.gov/inshape/) www.in.gov/inshape/ Self-care Programs Lunch and Learns Incentive Campaigns Walking Clubs Fitness Center Memberships Online Offerings (www.sparkpeople.com) www.sparkpeople.com Telephonic Call Lines/Coaching Services “Game Show” Style Competitions 14

15. Rewards Program Premium reductions/Fitness memberships Water bottles/tee shirts/drawings Recognition lunches/dinners Gift cards/shopping vouchers Extra personal leave Talk to your employees… Think carefully about the rewards and how you are using them! The goal is long term change not temporary change. 15

16. Measurement Tool Identify the expected outcomes related to your wellness plan, and tell us how you are going to determine if you achieved these outcomes. Weight loss campaign – how are you measuring weight loss? By group or by individual? Walking campaign – are you measuring total steps or total miles? Smoking cessation – will you only accept “completely smoke free” or is cutting back okay? 16