drug plan management – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:38:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Sounding Board: How employers can mitigate cost of drugs for rare diseases https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/sounding-board-how-employers-can-mitigate-cost-of-drugs-for-rare-diseases/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:00:22 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157855 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, […]

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]]> 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit: A look at post-pandemic paramedical, drug claims https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/2024-vancouver-benefits-summit-a-look-at-post-pandemic-paramedical-drug-claims/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:58:55 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157469 There has seen a “huge increase” in mental-health practitioner claims following the coronavirus pandemic, said Sylvana Leclerc, organizational health consultant for integrated health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. Citing findings from the insurer’s annual Health by Design report, she said in 2022, […]

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]]> 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit: What should plan sponsors know about covering obesity drugs? https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/2024-vancouver-benefits-summit-what-should-plan-sponsors-know-about-covering-obesity-drugs/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:57:39 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157474 With obesity now understood to be a chronic health condition, it’s time for plan sponsors to revisit their approach to weight loss medications, said Philippe Laplante, principal for pension and benefits at Eckler Ltd., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. The conversation about extending coverage to new, high-cost anti-obesity […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-89/ Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:00:08 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157820 An article outlining the implications of a single-payer universal pharmacare system was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investmnet stories of the past week: 1. Sounding Board: What plan sponsors should know about pharmacare 2. Meet the 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards judges 3. Mental-health claims by Canadians up […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-88/ Fri, 28 Jun 2024 13:00:38 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157562 An article on the benefits of tailoring an individual’s work schedule around their circadian rhythm and optimum times of productivity was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. How ‘Chronoworking’ is helping boost employee productivity, recruitment 2. FSRA releases final […]

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]]> 34% of U.S. employers covering GLP-1s for both diabetes, weight loss: survey https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/34-of-u-s-employers-covering-glp-1s-for-both-diabetes-weight-loss-survey/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 13:00:37 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157313 Roughly a third (34 per cent) of employers in the U.S. are providing coverage for glucagon-like peptide-1 medications for both diabetes care and weight-loss management in 2024, up from 26 per cent in 2023, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. However, the survey, which polled more than 270 U.S. employers, found more […]

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]]> Coverage for high-cost, specialty drugs missing from rollout of feds’ pharmacare plan: experts https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/coverage-for-high-cost-specialty-drugs-missing-from-rollout-of-feds-pharmacare-plan-experts/ Wed, 29 May 2024 13:00:53 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=155589 While the concept behind the federal government’s universal pharmacare plan is well intentioned, the program would make a larger impact for employers by focusing on high-cost and specialty drugs, says Pam Martin, vice-president and senior consultant at Baynes & White Inc. In theory, the way that the government is rolling out the program in small […]

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]]> More private payers seeking to reduce costs turning to preferred pharmacy networks: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/more-private-payers-seeking-to-reduce-costs-turning-to-preferred-pharmacy-networks-expert/ Wed, 01 May 2024 13:00:24 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154972 As more insurers turn to preferred pharmacy networks to decrease costs, their efforts are being met with some resistance by plan members who may be finding it difficult and inconvenient to switch pharmacy providers. In January, Manulife Financial Corp.’s move to a preferred pharmacy network with Loblaw Cos. Ltd.’s Shoppers Drug Mart was met with […]

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]]> What plan sponsors should know ahead of rollout of new obesity drugs in Canada https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/what-plan-sponsors-should-know-ahead-of-rollout-of-new-obesity-drugs-in-canada/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:03 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153707 A new generation of glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs approved for the treatment of obesity will soon be available in Canada, presenting an opportunity for plan sponsors to meet members’ health and wellness needs. It’s important for employers to consider meeting with their insurer now to find out how the rollout of these drugs will affect their […]

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]]> A closer look at preferred pharmacy networks https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/what-plan-sponsors-members-should-know-about-preferred-pharmacy-networks/ Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:00:36 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=152127 While preferred pharmacy networks have been around for nearly a decade, most benefits plan members aren’t aware that these arrangements have become standard, says Suzanne Lepage, a private health plan strategist. Preferred provider networks are common arrangements that businesses across a variety of industries enter into to help deliver consistent value, quality and cost containment, said the Canadian Life […]

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