As Canadians watch the U.S. reopen with life returning to normal in various stages, in addition to thoughts of attending sporting events, concerts and gathering with loved ones, employees are also starting to think about what their daily routines will look like in a post-coronavirus pandemic world. For those employees who moved to remote work […]
With auto-related accidents contributing to absenteeism and lost workplace productivity, accident prevention is a key component of corporate wellness, said Fernand Vartanian, general counsel and head of corporate development at Onlia Holding Inc., during Benefits Canada’s 2021 Benefits & Pension Summit. Traditionally, corporate wellness programs have focused on areas such as mental health, stress management and physical well-being. […]
Employers are applying several lessons from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to their benefits offerings, particularly the importance of employee well-being and access to virtual health care, says Marie-Josée Le Blanc, a partner and innovation leader at Mercer Canada. “Before the pandemic, there were two types of organizations: those that were doing more to support well-being […]
Half of Canadians said they’ve increased their use of virtual health care since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by consulting firm Calian Group Ltd. It also found, while 49 per cent of respondents said they intend to continue using virtual care after the pandemic is over and safety precautions […]
Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. is acquiring mental-health provider e-Hub Health, which provides internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy. e-Hub Health offers a range of programs to support mental-health concerns, including moodgym, which targets the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms; e-couch, which includes targeted programs for depression, anxiety, bereavement, divorce and social anxiety; and mental-health guru, a module-based online […]
The growing use of specialty medications among plan members continued to drive the increase in plan sponsors’ drug plan costs last year, well eclipsing the increase in traditional drug spending, according to Telus Health. Canadian plan sponsors’ drug spending on insured plan members between the ages of 25 and 64 increased 3.6 per cent in […]
The 470 striking workers at a Nestlé Canada chocolate bar factory in Toronto are heading back to work as their union reached an agreement with the company on May 20, securing wage, benefits and pension increases for its members. “We’re very happy with the results. The company is investing in the employees, so we see […]
While the rates of drug and disability claims are returning to their pre-pandemic levels, employers are still contending with the impact of the coronavirus crisis on their benefits plans. Following the declaration of the pandemic in March 2020, there was a subsequent surge in drug claims attributed to medication stockpiling, said Frédéric Leblanc, strategic advisor […]
On April 15, Benefits Canada hosted 2021 Tech Insights: Spring Edition, an event designed to showcase the latest technology in benefits, administration and plan member offerings. This event specifically provides a forum for companies to sell you on the benefits of their technology. You can view the conference highlights below: The benefits of digital pharmacy for plan […]
Last February, Carolyne Eagan’s mother was suddenly stricken with an excruciatingly painful condition called trigeminal neuralgia, which prevented her from eating, talking or drinking without triggering a flare of pain in her head. Eagan gathered up her mom’s medications and got into the ambulance with her, feeling increasingly distressed as she wasn’t able to answer […]