More than eight in 10 (83 per cent) U.S. organizations are implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in 2021, according to a new survey by WorldatWork. Among the 83 per cent, almost a third (29 per cent) said they took their first action on DEI initiatives during the past 12 months. Nearly all (97 per […]
Multinational employers based in Canada and the U.S. spend significantly more on their benefits packages than those in other regions, according to a new survey by U.K.-based Darwin Technologies Ltd. The benefits management and employee engagement company found more than a quarter (27 per cent) of North American survey respondents said they spend more than […]
While prior authorization can be a great tool for plan sponsors, it comes with its own set of challenges, said Tara Liu, director of drug strategy at Canada Life, during Benefits Canada’s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum on Dec. 9, 2020. The pharmaceutical pipeline is focused on high-cost specialty drugs, which are being used in […]
Sun Life Canada is launching a new virtual mental-health coach for plan members that taps into the power of predictive analytics. The virtual coach will launch in the first quarter of 2021, starting with a small number of clients, and after six months, the insurer will slowly bring more organizations on board. The insurer’s goal with the pilot program is […]
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting plan sponsors in different ways, they can return to the basics and use data to manage their benefits spend, according to a webinar hosted by the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute on Tuesday. “It’s helpful for companies to pivot and take the conversation back to the basics, which is discussing the […]
Like many national retailers, Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc. has a diverse group of employees across the country, working in more than 250 stores, as well as warehouses and distribution facilities, delivery services and a head office. “The whole point of this was to create a way for us to communicate with our [employees] across […]
Beverly Silver, the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education’s employee benefits officer, talks employee assistance programs, employee training and independent coffee shops. Q. What top challenges do you face in your role? A. I find that most employees don’t take an interest in their benefits plan until they actually need it. The challenge is in making sure […]
Magna International Inc. is using data to personalize its wellness program, increase employee engagement and reduce costs. In 2012, the Canadian automobile parts manufacturer established its own internal health and wellness team. At first, the program focused solely on disseminating basic educational materials, such as quarterly newsletters, posters and handouts, said Dr. Krista Markew, manager […]
Plan sponsors have to move beyond benefits plan reporting and dig into analytics to better understand medication non-adherence and the top disease states affecting their workforces. “Leveraging plan-specific data can help answer the fundamental questions needed to manage your benefits program,” said Shawn O’Brien, Telus Health’s principal of data enablement and drug, health, dental product roadmaps, during a session at Benefits […]
Toronto-based digital well-being solutions provider Sprout is acquiring Calgary-based predictive health-data analytics company Vivametrica Ltd. Vivametrica analyzes, measures and predicts health risks, potential outcomes and longevity with data from wearable technology and other personal sensors. Sprout previously partnered with Vivametrica on its health risk assessment solution. Read: Taking big data to next level key to […]