The Co-operators Life Insurance Co. is introducing optional medical cannabis coverage for its largest group plan sponsors. While the coverage can be added as an optional provision under an extended health-care plan, it requires prior authorization and is subject to an annual maximum. The insurer will consider cannabis an eligible expense under a health-care spending account, as long […]
SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc. is partnering with financial technology company Now Solutions Group, a provider of remote transactional assistance to insurance and financial services companies. “We have retained the services of NSG, an insur-tech company, for its agility and state-of-the-art offering,” said Éric Savard, vice-president of systems development and project portfolio management at SSQ Insurance, […]
Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada has launched an online network of health resources that’s free for all Canadians. The online platform, called Lumino Health, provides information about more than 150,000 health-care providers, including dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, vision-care providers and psychologists. In addition, it offers more than six million ratings about these providers from Sun Life plan […]
Perseverance, communication and innovation are just a few of the words used to describe Jeff Aarssen. Aarsseen, the recently retired vice-president of group customer sales at Great-West Life Assurance Co., received the award for industry leadership at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 11. “It’s very meaningful, personally,” says Aarssen. “It means that 38 […]
Employers and employees aren’t on the same page when it comes to non-monetary perks and incentives, according to a survey by staffing company Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled 1,500 workers and 600 human resources managers in North America, found flexible work schedules, compressed workweeks and the ability to work remotely are the most […]
An increased focus on early intervention led Staples Canada to the mental-health award at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 11. After noticing that mental health was becoming a larger issue within the organization, Staples adopted the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace, created its own psychological health and […]
Medical plan costs paid by employers are outpacing inflation, according to a new report by Aon. In Canada, however, medical cost inflation is trending down, lower than both the global and North American averages. Aon expects Canadian medical costs to rise by six per cent next year. Factored against average general inflation of 2.1 per cent in 2019, […]
Focusing on finding the right harmony in communicating a new benefits plan was key in Samuel, Son & Co.’s win for best benefits plan communications at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 11. The steel company admitted it can’t afford to offer above average benefits due to the cyclical nature of its business. However, it felt an average […]
Taking a varied and thorough approach to employee health helped Niagara Casinos take home the award for best health and wellness program for an employer with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada‘s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 11. The variety of wellness offerings and activities included kickboxing, paddle boarding, bath bomb workshops, an onsite […]
The numbers in the Toronto Transit Commission’s benefits fraud investigation are staggering — 725 total cases, 220 dismissals, 120 arbitrations, 10 employees charged and more than $3 million in exposure. “All this stuff is still ongoing. The insurance company hasn’t cut us a cheque yet,” Mark Russell, staff sergeant, investigative services at the TTC, told attendees at […]