While medical advancements and drug therapy innovations have been life-changing for patients and plan members, they also come with increasing costs, said Victoria Shaw, drug benefits manager at Alberta Blue Cross, speaking at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Calgary Drug Trends Summit on Oct. 24. Between 2011 to 2017, the number of high-cost drugs doubled. From 2016 to 2017, in […]
Only eight per cent of Canadian women who are eligible for a vaccine that covers nine strains of the human papillomavirus are actually receiving it. While one barrier is a lack of knowledge among health-care professionals and patients alike, another is the lack of coverage in group benefits plans, said Dr. Angel Chu, an infectious diseases physician at Foothills Medical Centre, […]
Alongside Fluor Canada’s recent move to a flexible benefits plan, it also introduced a managed drug formulary, which includes generic substitution, prior authorization, lifetime maximums and an annual out-of-pocket maximum. While the organization was hesitant to make the change, it knew it was necessary to help control drug costs, said Michelle Ginter, senior human resources […]
For its increased focus on complete reviews of its disability policy and overall absence management program, Scotiabank took home the absence management award at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 17. Three and a half years ago, Scotiabank went through a complete audit of its disability program, part of its overall best practice review for these […]
Benefits Canada recognized winners across seven categories at the 2019 Workplace Benefits Awards on Thursday. At a luncheon and awards ceremony at the Arcadian Loft in Toronto, more than 100 leaders in the benefits, pension and investment industries gathered to see awards presented to Canadian employers that are proactively and passionately making a difference in their employees’ financial, […]
When Fidelity Canada’s employees are facing challenges around their work-life balance, the company offers support through a number of absence management programs. The financial services company provides five weeks of vacation, one paid personal day and two paid volunteer days, as well as a sabbatical program that’s available to employees who’ve been with the company […]
With around 270,000 individuals currently affected by irritable bowel disease, Canada has the highest prevalence in the world, according to Mina Mawani, president and chief executive officer of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Halifax Benefits Summit on Sept. 24. “And this is going to increase significantly. We’re going to be […]
Unionized employees at Dearborn Ford in Kamloops, B.C. are receiving a pension boost and wage increases in a new three-year contract, which they voted to ratify earlier this week. The agreement, which applies to 43 workers represented by Unifor Local 10-B, includes a 0.25 per cent increase to employer contributions in the defined contribution pension plan, a 2.5 […]
Scotiabank is providing its eligible Canadian employees with an additional two paid personal days to support their mental health. Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, the bank’s Canadian workforce will have a total of five personal days and the flexibility to take them as needed, in addition to existing sick and vacation days. “Our people are our […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is acquiring U.S.-based MorningStar Health Inc. The acquisition will allow Morneau Shepell to enhance its U.S. presence in absence management, including leaves, disability, absence reporting and accommodation. MorningStar Health’s plan sponsor clients and employees, including its leadership team, will join Morneau Shepell but will remain based in Grand Rapids, MI. Read: Morneau Shepell closes acquisition of some of Mercer’s […]