For Jonathan Zaid, the benefits of medical cannabis aren’t theoretical or clinical; they’re deeply personal. Diagnosed at age 14 with daily persistent headache, a rare and extremely painful condition, Zaid tried more than 40 medications before medical marijuana enabled him to sleep through the night for the first time in five years. Now the director […]
Despite significant awareness and discussion around what ails Canada’s health-care system, little has changed, said Rose Dipchand at the 2018 Halifax Benefits Summit on Sept. 20. Substantial economic challenges remain, the population continues to get older and unhealthier, wait times are still increasing and there’s poor adherence to treatment, noted Pharmasave’s regional manager of professional […]
Plan sponsors and administrators walk a razor’s edge, striving to ensure members have access to the services they need while also making certain the plan is financially sustainable. Working collaboratively with health-care providers is a critical step, but these partnerships have often proved elusive, delegates heard at the 2018 Halifax Benefits Summit. “There is a disconnect. We […]
While the impact of biologics on patients has proven successful, it’s counterbalanced by an equally significant fiscal impact, delegates heard at the 2018 Halifax Benefits Summit in September. “The impact of biologics on patients is incredible,” said Ned Pojskic, leader of pharmacy and health provider relations at Green Shield Canada. However, he added, the industry has to […]
Don’t confuse biosimilars with generic drugs, cautioned Dr. Ian Blumer at the 2018 Halifax Benefits Summit in September. While the terms may be used interchangeably, these two types of drugs aren’t the same thing, said the endocrinologist and director of the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre in Whitby, Ont., during his presentation. “Generic drugs are chemicals. […]
Canada Post issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees Wednesday in the hope of preventing a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of the busy holiday online shopping season, The Canadian Press has learned. The offers included “improvements to pay and benefits, adding job security for rural and suburban employees and no changes […]
Medavie Blue Cross is adding medical cannabis coverage to its benefits provision. The extended health-care benefit will be optional, standalone coverage for plan sponsors, providing reimbursement for fresh and dried cannabis, as well as cannabis oil. Plan sponsors will have the option of an annual maximum coverage amount. Read: SSQ Insurance to offer medical cannabis coverage in 2019 Coverage […]
Manulife Financial Corp.’s short-term disability claims related to mental health have decreased since it boosted its benefits to employees last year. In January 2017, Manulife increased its mental-health benefit, from $1,000 to $10,000 per person per year, including coverage for family members. “Really the goal of that was to remove any financial barriers, real or […]
The pension and retirement savings was once again the growth leader in the life and health insurance industry in 2017, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. Of the $651 billion held in employer-sponsored pension plans last year, the industry was responsible for managing $152 billion, which is up from […]
The idea that health, drug and retirement benefits draw in top executive talent is overly simplistic and worth delving into deeper, according to Jonathan Foster, vice-president of executive compensation at Accompass Inc. The vast majority of organizations hiring executives offer a benefits plan, so having one is no longer a distinguishing factor for an employer, said Foster at […]