Medavie Blue Cross is adding a virtual health-care tool to its group benefits plans. The Online Doctors Unlimited tool, which is available through a partnership with Maple, includes consultations with Canadian-licensed doctors; access to a doctor immediately; service available 24/7/365; and an efficient administrative process. A lite version of the tool, with a limit of five […]
In April, Pride at Work Canada convened nine professionals across the country to discuss the specific impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on LGBTQ+ employees. “We wanted to ensure everyone was working together to gather nationwide perceptions because each jurisdiction is viewing things differently,” says Colin Druhan, the organization’s executive director. “We also wanted to guarantee […]
League Inc. is offering a free three-month trial of its Health Benefits Experience platform in a bid to alleviate the health-care and administrative overloads that human resources teams are experiencing during the coronavirus crisis. “This is an incredibly challenging time in our communities, for individuals, families and businesses,” said Mike Serbinis, founder and chief executive officer […]
The coronavirus pandemic could reduce employer health-care costs by as much as four per cent in 2020 as medical care for non-infected patients has declined, according to a new analysis by Willis Towers Watson. The analysis of large, self-funded U.S.-based employers is an update to a similar study conducted in March that projected employer costs […]
In the midst of the most significant socio-economic and health crisis since WWII — and maybe even longer — virtually every aspect of modern society has been affected in some way, and employee benefits programs are no exception. Before the coronavirus pandemic was in full swing in Canada, employers were focused on ensuring employees diagnosed with the […]
BMO Financial Group is highlighting a number of its health supports for employees during the coronavirus pandemic. The bank is hosting conference calls with physicians and mental-health professionals, which are recorded so employees can listen to them later on-demand. So far, 15,000 employees have participated, says Karen Collins, the bank’s chief talent officer. “It’s really […]
Manulife Financial Corp. is lending a hand to group benefits plan sponsors in light of the tight financial situation many businesses are in due to the coronavirus pandemic. The insurer is providing certain premium relief for all group benefits plan sponsors with an insured non-refund accounted benefits plan with Manulife. For the month of May, dental […]
MindBeacon is launching a new digital mental-health program, called Stronger Minds, to support all Canadians through heightened stresses related to the coronavirus pandemic. “We, as an organization, have been very committed to trying to make mental-health support accessible to Canadians,” says Claire Duboc, managing director of MindBeacon Group. “That’s been a reality, that many are […]
It’s the only story around these days. COVID-19 — the coronavirus — has broken out all over the world, leading to strain on health-care resources, uncertainty in capital markets and strict social distancing and lockdown measures from governments. The pandemic is naturally causing fear, anxiety and uncertainty, both among employees and among managers. But here’s […]
As U.S. employers look to keep their workers safe and healthy in the face of the global pandemic, they could see their health-care benefits costs jump by as much as seven per cent this year as a result of coronavirus-related testing and treatment, according to an actuarial analysis of self-funded employers by Willis Towers Watson. […]