Employers that are considering dropping dental coverage from their benefits plan following the launch of the national dental care program are advised to think twice, says Graham Young, director of employee benefits at Capcorp Financial Corp. The national plan — administered by Health Canada, with support from a third-party benefits administrator — provides dental coverage for uninsured Canadians with […]
A story on how group insurers can help plan sponsors provide adequate coverage and ensure appropriate use of treatments for rare diseases was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Sounding Board: How employers can mitigate cost of […]
Nearly three-quarters (70 per cent) of U.S. employers say their company’s benefits package is critical to attracting and retaining the best workers, according to a new report by LIMRA. It found half (51 per cent) of employers believe their company will be offering more benefits in the future than it does today and another six […]
The World Health Organization defines a rare disease as having a prevalence of 65 or less per 100,000 individuals. It recognizes some 5,500 rare diseases, the majority being of genetic origin and often life-threatening. Medical research has yielded significant drug development for the treatment of rare diseases, increasing life expectancy and improving quality of life. However, […]
With millennials and generation Z employees representing roughly 75 per cent of the Canadian workforce, employers need to respond to the changing needs of these demographics, said Andrew Brandsma, director of sales for new business development at claims processing company National HealthClaim, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. Both […]
Everyone loves a deal, but many Canadians either forget or don’t realize they can find discounts through their workplace. “There really are a lot [of perks] that employees just don’t seem to know about,” says Debby Carreau, chief executive officer and founder of Inspired HR, a human resources consultancy with offices across Canada. “Those things […]
The use of obesity medications among Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plan members has grown substantially, with claims increasing 42 per cent in 2023 and roughly 92 per cent since 2020, according to a new report by Manulife Financial Corp. The report, based on aggregate claims data, found more women are using obesity drugs than men (79 […]
Four years after the coronavirus pandemic fuelled increased usage of employee well-being interventions, some employers are questioning whether these support tools are actually beneficial to workers. A recent study by Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Center found little evidence that these interventions actually provide any benefits to workers. Indeed, the study found there was a “small […]
An article on how a shorter workweek can support higher levels of employee health and happiness was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. Four-day workweek improves employee well-being, retention: expert 2. Report finds women taking 69% of all mental-health leaves of […]
With 2024 well underway, it’s important for employers to adapt their strategies in the ever-evolving landscape of employee benefits. Employee expectations continue to evolve and the emphasis on mental health, well-being and personalized benefits continues to grow, requiring plan sponsors to balance innovation with keeping costs in check during uncertain economic conditions. Read: How family-building […]