An article on the possible surge of disability claims linked to long-haul coronavirus and remote work injuries was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Employers can expect surge of claims linked to long-haul coronavirus, remote work injuries: lawyers 2. 74% of employers say […]
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards win is generating discussion and the sharing of ideas with other WBA recipients and nominees, says Merlyn Sequeira, the organization’s director of total rewards, payroll, recognition, wellness and human resources systems. “There were a few ideas that came from those discussions which I thought I could leverage and […]
The ‘Great Resignation’ is ushering in a period of great transformation for employers, the workforce and the workplace of the future, said Charmaine Alexander, senior advisor of disability management at Desjardins Insurance, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2022 Benefits and Pension Summit on June 1. With labour shortages continuing to plague the workforce, Alexander believes […]
While medications used for treating inflammatory disease accounted for just 0.7 per cent of claims across Telus Health’s Canadian block of business in 2021, they represent the largest percentage of eligible drug costs at 12.6 per cent, due to the prevalence of high-cost treatments in this drug class. By comparison, diabetes medications accounted for 12 […]
Employees are experiencing more pain than ever before, with nearly half of the workforce diagnosed with some form of chronic pain lasting more than three months, according to Dr. Ayla Azad, chief experience officer at the Canadian Chiropractic Association, during a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 Benefits & Pension Summit on June 1. Citing several different […]
Telus Corp. is acquiring LifeWorks Inc. for a total transaction value of $2.9 billion. The agreement will see Telus purchase the digital health and wellness provider for the total consideration of about $2.3 billion in cash and the assumption of about $600 million in LifeWorks’ debt, said Doug French, Telus’ chief finance officer and executive […]
Three-quarters (74 per cent) of employers cite cost as the most important aspect to consider when designing and reviewing their benefits plans, followed by employee attraction and retention (63 per cent), according to a new survey by MBWL International Ltd. and Normandin Beaudry. Daniel Drolet, a senior partner at Normandin Beaudry, says while employers focused […]
The union representing 120 employees at Metro Inc. warehouses in Ottawa has ratified a five-year agreement that includes multiple benefits gains. The agreement includes a 100 per cent increase for vision starting in 2023 — up to $500 per member and dependants — and a $1,000 increase to major dental care coverage, up to $2,500 […]
The Federal Trade Commission is launching an inquiry into the operations of pharmacy benefits managers that control access to prescription drugs for millions of Americans. The consumer protection agency will order the nation’s largest PBMs to provide a range of information and records detailing how they do business. Pharmacy benefits managers run prescription drug coverage […]
Peterborough, Ont.’s Peak Benefit Solutions Inc. and companion company Park Place Financial Ltd. are expanding operations in southern Ontario. The companies merged with employee benefits provider Howell Financial Corp., based in Belleville, Ont., and they’ve acquired Kingston, Ont.-based benefits provider Manley Financial Group. The expansion follows the 2018 merger of Peak Benefit Solutions and Park […]