Latest news in Health benefits

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Using proactive drug plan design to ensure future sustainability

In 2020, Canada Life Assurance Co. saw a decrease in the number of benefits plan members making a drug claim, though the costs of those…

Ensuring plan sponsors get value for money from their drug plans

The drug pipeline is full of new medications that may be more effective but may also be more expensive than existing treatments. Although they could…

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Patient support program insights can inform payer programs

The coronavirus pandemic and the changing environment have impacted pharmaceutical manufacturer-sponsored patient support programs. Manufacturers offer patient support programs to help individuals access their medication…

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Incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion in drug plan design

A growing number of organizations are moving beyond compliance to foster diversity, equity and inclusion in their workplaces. According to research, companies that have embraced…

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How the evolution of pharmacy can impact benefits plan costs

The coronavirus pandemic is demonstrating that pharmacists are a key health-care provider, with one study finding nearly 75 per cent of pharmacists have had patients who…

The impact of mental health on drug plan sustainability

One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and by age 40 about 50 per cent of the population will have…

An update on Canada’s national strategy for drugs for rare diseases

In 2020, members of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association spent $650 million on drugs for rare diseases for more than 13,000 patients. Rare…

90% of U.S. employers planning to invest more in mental-health benefits in 2022: survey

As competition to attract talent continues to heat up amid a tight labour market, the vast majority (90 per cent) of U.S. employers are planning…

  • By: Staff
  • January 21, 2022 January 20, 2022
  • 09:00

Top 5 HR, pension and benefits stories of the week

A story on the Toronto-Dominion Bank’s enhancement to its benefits offerings in 2022 with expanded family planning coverage took the top spot over the past week…

  • By: Staff
  • January 21, 2022 January 21, 2022
  • 09:00

78% of U.S. employers focusing on quality of health benefits over cost: survey

About three-quarters (78 per cent) of U.S. employers said they’re more focused on the quality of health care over cost management when making decisions about…

  • By: Staff
  • January 20, 2022 January 19, 2022
  • 09:00
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TD expanding fertility treatment coverage, bereavement policy

The Toronto-Dominion Bank is enhancing its benefits offerings in 2022 with expanded family planning coverage. The bank’s benefits program is now covering fertility and reproductive…

58% of frontline workers expect work stress will stay the same or worsen in 2022: survey

More than half (58 per cent) of frontline workers said they believe their work stress will either stay the same or worsen in the coming year,…

  • By: Staff
  • January 18, 2022 January 17, 2022
  • 09:00

Maple acquiring Wello, CloudMD finalizes MindBeacon deal

Toronto-based virtual-care platform Maple Corp. is acquiring Wello, a Calgary-based virtual health-care brand. Wello, which was founded in 2017, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coril…

  • By: Staff
  • January 18, 2022 January 18, 2022
  • 09:00

Blue Monday: Wattpad offering meditation classes to workers amid stressful times

Employees don’t usually meditate together during work hours, but these aren’t usual times. Every month, the team at Wattpad gathers (virtually, for now) and is…

Top 5 HR, pension and benefits stories of the week

As right-to-disconnect legislation gains steam across Canada and around the world, a story on how employers are dealing with this movement in 2022 took the…

  • By: Staff
  • January 14, 2022 January 13, 2022
  • 09:00

82% of Canadian workers think employers should provide virtual health-care services for employees: survey

A majority (82 per cent) of working Canadians believe employers should provide virtual care services for their employees, according to a survey conducted by Environics…

  • By: Staff
  • January 14, 2022 January 13, 2022
  • 09:00
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How Accenture, Traction on Demand are supporting working parents in 2022

A new year is bringing back old issues for employers and employees alike. The rise of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant meant many students…

Retail Council of Canada launching health benefits program for retail employees

The Retail Council of Canada is launching a new health benefits program for member retailers. Through the program, called RCC RetailCare, retail employers can offer their employees a range of…

  • By: Staff
  • January 11, 2022 January 10, 2022
  • 09:00

How can employers support coronavirus long-haulers?

As the phenomenon of coronavirus long-haulers — individuals who display symptoms for months following infection — becomes more prominent amid the ongoing pandemic, plan sponsors…

Sounding Board: Virtual care, pharmacists contributing to reinvigorated Canadian wellness, productivity

To say the coronavirus pandemic has had an unimaginable impact on Canadian life is an immense understatement — it has literally reshaped the way we…

  • By: Adil Ladha
  • January 7, 2022 January 7, 2022
  • 09:00

Top 5 HR, pension and benefits stories of the week

How the City of Toronto is continuing to support employee mental health in these uncertain times took the top spot over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com.…

  • By: Staff
  • January 7, 2022 January 7, 2022
  • 09:00
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How employers can help parents, students amid return to remote learning

With the Omicron coronavirus variant prompting school closures and a return to remote learning in several provinces, flexibility is key for employers supporting parents of…

Liberals eye easing access to maternity, parental leave in EI review: minister

The minister in charge of Canada’s federal social safety net for workers says the government is looking at removing rules that make it difficult for…

Liberals once again delay PMPRB changes to lower price of medicines in Canada

Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos has put a six-month pause on new regulations designed to lower the cost of patented medicines in Canada. Health Canada…

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How the City of Toronto is supporting employee mental health in 2022 and beyond

While the dawn of 2022 brings hope of the coronavirus pandemic becoming endemic, the year ahead is also filled with many unknowns for both employers…