SurveyMonkey Inc. is introducing health benefits, improved time-off policies and transportation subsidies for its contract employees and those who work with the company through third-party commercial services. Working with California-based i2i Benefits and Insurance Services, the company developed a benefits framework for its on-site contract workers and vendor partners, including its janitorial and food service providers. The company […]
While Wednesday’s provincial budget in Ontario offered details on the inclusion of seniors in the government’s pharmacare program, Ontarians over age 65 aren’t the only cohort set to benefit from expanded drug coverage. Through the introduction of the Ontario drug and dental program, all Ontarians will be eligible for some coverage in those areas if they aren’t already […]
Ontario’s political parties are busy making promises about key benefits issues as they prepare for this June’s election campaign, with the governing Liberals announcing a plan expand the OHIP+ pharmacare program to seniors and the New Democratic Party proposing action on dental care. On Tuesday, just days after the Ontario NDP pledged universal pharmacare and dental coverage should […]
Ontario’s New Democratic leader unveiled parts of her platform at a campaign event on Saturday, saying the party will offer universal pharmacare and dental care for all Ontarians if elected. The party’s five policy points — which also include lowering wait times for health-care services, raising taxes on corporations and the wealthiest Ontarians and converting […]
B.C. plan sponsors will have lots of questions to consider as the provincial government prepares to introduce a new employer health tax. “It’s going to be interesting, because the employers, obviously, are going to be looking at that employer health tax as a cost of doing business,” says Avinash Maniram, a partner and senior consultant at PBI […]
Manulife Financial Corp. is partnering with Vitech Systems Group Inc. as a software provider and system integrator for its Canadian group benefits business. Vitech’s insurance administration product, V3, supports group health, dental and life insurance from quote through to claim. “Vitech and V3 will support our focus on providing customers and distribution partners with a […]
Before making changes to a benefits plan or building one from scratch, plan sponsors should first determine what problems they’re trying to solve, according to a human resources consultant. The reasons for implementing changes can vary, but moving forward without a clear motivation can cause problems, said Phyllis Retty, owner and human resources consultant at Lift HR Consulting, during […]
Express Scripts Canada has won a five-year contract to process millions of pharmacy, dental, vision, mental health and medical supplies and equipment claims for Indigenous Canadians. The contract, awarded by Health Canada, includes options for renewal for up to 11 years. Read: Plan members need help with co-ordinating care: report “Express Scripts Canada is extremely pleased to have […]
Alberta Blue Cross is reducing its rates for dental benefits to align with recent changes to Alberta’s dental fee guide. The new fee guide, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2018, provides for an 8.5 per cent cut in suggested prices for 60 common procedures. Group benefits plans provided by Alberta Blue Cross that refer to usual and customary dental […]
The Co-operators Life Insurance Co. is introducing retiree benefits plans to help its group plan members transition from their company’s health and dental plans upon retirement. Employees covered by a Co-operators’ group benefits plan through their employer are eligible to apply for the individual coverage within 60 days of the end of their group plan. […]