An article on British Columbia’s paramedics and their need for enhanced mental-health benefits was the most read story over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. B.C. paramedics seeking enhanced mental-health benefits 2. Canadian pension plans overcoming legislation, governance challenges: webinar 3. Ontario’s DB pension plans should take steps […]
Paramedics in British Columbia are seeking increased mental-health support and psychological training amid increasing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and the opioid crisis. Troy Clifford, provincial president of the Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. and president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 873, says the province’s paramedics are currently reimbursed for just $100 […]
When Katie Parkin’s father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June, the family was relieved to learn his benefits plan included an opioid management program to help educate members on their pain relief options. Parkin’s organization — Vancouver Island-based Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre — offers a similar program, which was made available […]
Manulife is launching a preventative opioid management program, extending its Vitality program to group benefits plans and partnering with digital health company Akira Health. The opioid management program features a two-step system. The first ensures plan members who start opioid treatment do so with a short-term supply, while the second encourages using short-acting opioids at the outset. […]
Since recreational cannabis was legalized across Canada six months ago, related workplace problems have mainly been notable by their absence. “It’s been a surprising lack of significant issues arising in the workplace,” said Angelo Tsebelis, president at Starseed Medicinal Inc., during a panel at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Benefits and Pension Summit in Toronto on Wednesday. This […]
More than half (60 per cent) of North American workforces said their employees are facing more mental health and substance abuse issues than they were two years ago, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The survey, which polled 190 U.S. and 88 Canadian employers, found 40 per cent of […]
Lost or damaged prescriptions cost Canadians more than $35 million in productivity, extra travel and time spent filling prescriptions and the potential for adverse health events due to medications that aren’t taken at all, according to a new study by Canada Health Infoway. The study found 40 per cent of Canadians who lost or damaged prescriptions […]
There were almost 4,000 opioid-related deaths in Canada in 2017, according to Health Canada statistics released in June. Meanwhile, in the United States, a new survey by the National Business Group on Health found 60 per cent of large employers had experienced at least one issue stemming from prescription opioid misuse or abuse in the workplace. Forty […]