obesity – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:17:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 How benefits plan sponsors, insurers are managing newer — and effective — GLP-1 medications https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/how-benefits-plan-sponsors-insurers-are-managing-newer-and-effective-glp-1-medications/ Fri, 15 Nov 2024 13:55:00 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=162339 With lyrics adapted to the tune of ‘Magic’ by Scottish pop group Pilot, the melody of ‘Oh, Oh, Oh, Ozempic’ is splashed across U.S. televisions in a snappy advertising campaign. The commercial push is likely unnecessary. Ozempic, one of the brand names of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, […]

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]]> U.S. health benefits costs rising to nearly 8% in 2025: survey https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/u-s-health-benefits-costs-rising-to-nearly-8-in-2025-survey/ Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:00:44 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=159526 U.S. employers’ health benefits costs are expected to increase to nearly eight per cent for 2025, the highest amount in more than a decade, according to a new survey by Business Group on Health. The survey, which polled 125 large employers, found they’re planning to continue to absorb much of the increases at least for […]

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]]> 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit: What should plan sponsors know about covering obesity drugs? https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/2024-vancouver-benefits-summit-what-should-plan-sponsors-know-about-covering-obesity-drugs/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:57:39 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157474 With obesity now understood to be a chronic health condition, it’s time for plan sponsors to revisit their approach to weight loss medications, said Philippe Laplante, principal for pension and benefits at Eckler Ltd., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. The conversation about extending coverage to new, high-cost anti-obesity […]

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]]> 34% of U.S. employers covering GLP-1s for both diabetes, weight loss: survey https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/34-of-u-s-employers-covering-glp-1s-for-both-diabetes-weight-loss-survey/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 13:00:37 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=157313 Roughly a third (34 per cent) of employers in the U.S. are providing coverage for glucagon-like peptide-1 medications for both diabetes care and weight-loss management in 2024, up from 26 per cent in 2023, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. However, the survey, which polled more than 270 U.S. employers, found more […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-86/ Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:00:22 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=156970 An article detailing a stark increase in the use of obesity medications among Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plan members was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. Claims for obesity drugs increased 42% in 2023, 92% since 2020: report 2. How […]

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]]> How plan sponsors, insurers should approach Wegovy rollout in Canada https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/how-plan-sponsors-insurers-should-approach-wegovy-rollout-in-canada/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 13:00:04 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=156755 When considering whether to cover Wegovy, an obesity medication, it’s important for plan sponsors to weigh increased short-term costs with long-term savings, while considering alternative treatments that are also available, says Philippe Laplante, a principal at Eckler Ltd. Plan sponsors that decide to cover Wegovy, which launched in Canada last month, could see a significant cost […]

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]]> Claims for obesity drugs increased 42% in 2023, 92% since 2020: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/claims-for-anti-obesity-drugs-increased-42-in-2023-92-since-2020-report/ Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:00:23 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=156565 The use of obesity medications among Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plan members has grown substantially, with claims increasing 42 per cent in 2023 and roughly 92 per cent since 2020, according to a new report by Manulife Financial Corp. The report, based on aggregate claims data, found more women are using obesity drugs than men (79 […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-78/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:00:29 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153962 An article on considerations for plan sponsors ahead of the rollout of a new generation of obesity drugs was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. What plan sponsors should know ahead of rollout of new obesity drugs in Canada 2. What’s […]

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]]> What plan sponsors should know ahead of rollout of new obesity drugs in Canada https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/what-plan-sponsors-should-know-ahead-of-rollout-of-new-obesity-drugs-in-canada/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:03 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153707 A new generation of glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs approved for the treatment of obesity will soon be available in Canada, presenting an opportunity for plan sponsors to meet members’ health and wellness needs. It’s important for employers to consider meeting with their insurer now to find out how the rollout of these drugs will affect their […]

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]]> Examining the link between cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/examining-the-link-between-cardiovascular-disease-diabetes-and-obesity/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:55:36 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150584 While medications for three interconnected chronic conditions — cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity — represent a growing proportion of employers’ drug spend, there’s plenty that can be done to help employees’ slow the progression of these conditions while managing drug plan costs, said Joyce Wong, director of clinical services at Express Scripts Canada, during Benefits […]

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