Green Shield Canada is partnering with HBM+’s health benefits management solutions provider division to introduce an artificial intelligence-based fraud detection strategy. Under the new Claim Watch banner, the new platform finds and compiles data, identifying patterns to unearth suspicious activity. “We’re very proud of what GSC and HBM+ do in the fraud detection and prevention […]
The advisory council on the implementation of national pharmacare has submitted its interim report to the federal government. The report sets out three initial recommendations for the implementation of national pharmacare: Creating a national drug agency to oversee national pharmacare; Developing a comprehensive, evidence-based list of prescribed drugs — a national formulary — to harmonize coverage […]
The Great-West Life Assurance Co. is expanding its coverage of medical cannabis, which includes a new agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., to deliver its medical cannabis coaching program. “We’ve expanded our optional medical cannabis coverage to our pay-direct drug plans, which represent the vast majority of all of our drug plans, to help the financial, physical […]
Two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadians would take a drug containing cannabis if it were prescribed by a doctor, approved by Health Canada and covered by insurance, according to a new Ipsos poll. Among the 65 per cent, 36 per cent said they’re very willing and 29 per cent said they’re somewhat willing to do so. Men (69 […]
The Competition Bureau has discontinued an inquiry into allegations that Janssen Inc. inhibited the Canadian market for biosimilar products that compete with its biologic product Remicade. Given the significant impact of biologics in Canada, the report highlights some of the competition issues related to the biologics and biosimilars market. Although the bureau expressed concerns about the […]
While the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has traditionally handled medical cannabis on a case-by-case basis, it’s new policy on the drug takes effect on March 1, 2019. The policy, which provides a framework for entitlement to, and approval of, medical cannabis by the WSIB, sets out the following five conditions for entitlement: Neuropathic pain; Spasticity resulting […]
Art Babcock is retiring after more than 40 years in the Canadian group benefits industry. In 1974, he started his career at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. of Canada. After six years in personal insurance, he moved over to group benefits as manager of group insurance and pensions at MetLife. In 1989, Babcock joined the Alexander Consulting Group, which […]
Reformulary Group has signed an agreement with the Great-West Life Assurance Co. to make its managed formulary available to the insurer’s plan sponsors. The formulary was curated with the expert advice of an independent panel of doctors and pharmacists, which reviews research and evidence about drugs. Read: Reformulary Group launches early warning system for high-cost drugs “The […]
Plan sponsors are faced with competing offers by insurance carriers, group managing general agents and third-party administrators, as each group promotes their own unique, yet similar sounding, selling and value propositions. Group MGAs are firms that specialize in advising group benefits brokers and act as administrative back office, similar to life MGAs , which advise […]
The Great-West Life Assurance Co. is introducing a group benefits solution for small employers. Small employers, with fewer than 100 employees, make up 98 per cent of organizations in Canada, noted a press release. And fewer than half (45 per cent) offer employee benefits, which can leave many without protection from routine and unexpected health costs. Flexbox is a self-serve, […]