For the past 10 years, Benefits Canada’s Chronic Disease at Work conference has examined the current trends in chronic disease in Canada and what they mean for plan sponsors. Hosted in a virtual format on Feb. 12, the 2025 conference explored several chronic diseases, as well as their impacts on the workplace and the role of employers […]
Obesity is one of the most misunderstood diseases, with stigma and judgement contributing to the misconceptions, said Lisa Schaffer, executive director at Obesity Canada, during a session supported by Eli Lilly Canada at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Chronic Disease at Work conference. Obesity is associated with more than 200 chronic illnesses and nearly one in three […]
Canadian employers are increasingly focusing on coverage for women’s health and gender affirmation in their employee benefits plans, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 100 employers, found half (49 per cent) of organizations reported women’s health as a top or high priority. To that end, two-fifths (39 per […]
A third (33 per cent) of U.S. employers currently include cell and gene therapies in their benefits plans and 36 per cent are actively evaluating the use of these treatments, according to a new survey by the Integrated Benefits Institute. The survey, which polled more than 400 U.S. employers and more than 200 benefits consultants, […]
A majority (65 per cent) of Canadian employers say they have or are working on implementing a diversity, equity and inclusion policy, while 44 per cent of this group said they’re focusing on DEI to attract and retain employees, according to Benefits Canada’s 2024 Future of Work Survey. It found around three-quarters (72 per cent) […]
Women face unique health challenges throughout their lives — across most age groups, women experience higher rates of chronic diseases compared to men, said Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and product director of drug benefits at Desjardins Insurance, during a session supported by Pfizer Canada at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. Historically, […]
Advances in medical science and innovations in drug development necessitate updated drug plan strategies, according to Frédéric Leblanc (pictured far right), strategic leader of drug programs, group benefits and retirement solutions at iA Financial Group. During a panel discussion supported by EMD Serono Inc., GSK, iA Financial Group, Merck & Co. Inc., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. […]
The previous year was an interesting one in the world of employee benefits plans. Over the previous 12 months, employers have navigated the explosion of claims for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, some forward momentum on national pharmacare and some employers changed their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Here are five […]
From the unlocking of pension benefits in Nova Scotia to new pay transparency rules in Ontario, stories about pension and employment legislation caught the eyes of Benefits Canada’s readers in 2024. In addition, a pair of articles on the rollout of new glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications in Canada were also popular with readers. Here […]
Between 2019 and 2023, chronic disease drug claims increased much faster among younger plan members compared to older generations, according to a new report by Sun Life. The report, which analyzed drug claims data of more than 3 million plan members over a five-year period, found across all age groups, nearly half (45.1 per cent) of […]