The Obama administration published a proposed rule on November 26, 2012 that addresses nondiscriminatory wellness programs in group health plan coverage, consistent with ACA requirements, effective for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2014. Among other things, the proposed rule, which was promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and CMS, addresses standards for nondiscriminatory “health-contingent wellness programs,” which generally require individuals to meet a specific health-related goal to obtain a reward (e.g., rewards for decreasing tobacco use). For instance, the proposed rule would: establish standards for such programs to be considered reasonably designed to promote health or prevent disease; set criteria for such programs to be reasonably designed to be available to all similarly-situated individuals; and require individuals to be given notice of the opportunity to qualify for the same reward. The proposed rule also would increase the maximum permissible reward under a health-contingent wellness program offered in connection with a group health plan from 20% to 30% of the cost of coverage, and further increase the maximum permissible reward to 50% for wellness programs designed to prevent or reduce tobacco use. Comments will be accepted until January 25, 2013.