Canadian insurers expect health costs to rise by 11.55 per cent this year, according to a new report by Accompass Inc. The annual survey determines the anticipated year-over-year cost increase or decrease — or health trend factor — by asking insurers to examine their businesses and take various factors into account, including legislation and reforms, economic events […]
Not all chiropractors practice according to the same philosophy. This is leading some in the benefits industry to believe more scrutiny is necessary when it comes to paramedical expenses and determining whether they’re being used for evidence-based treatments. A recent article in the Globe and Mail highlighted a divide within the chiropractic profession between those who practice evidence-based treatments and those […]
While a new collective agreement negotiated between the British Columbia Nurses’ Union and the Health Employers Association of B.C. won’t bring significant changes, the round of negotiations did raise an issue with paramedical benefits, specifically the amount spent on massages. Currently, nurses in the province have unlimited dollars to spend on massages, which are 100 per cent paid […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is offering its internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy program as an approved paramedical benefit through several insurance companies. The program, AbilitiCBT, delivers online CBT that combines therapist guidance with interactive exercises and activities. It focuses on changing negative thought patterns, emotional responses and behaviours to reduce absenteeism and improve engagement, shorten return-to-work timeframes and […]
Green Shield Canada is launching a new benefits product, which will focus on drug coverage and mental-health support and eliminate coverage for massage therapy. The new plan, called SMARTspend, will include a managed drug formulary with 100 per cent coverage and no dollar caps, digital mental-health support options, health coaching from pharmacists and dietitians and vision […]
Unifor members employed by three Ontario casinos have voted to ratify new three-year contracts that include improvements to their pension plans. Unifor members from Local 1090 at Casino Ajax and Great Blue Heron Casino, as well as Local 504 at Elements Casino Brantford, voted to accept a tentative agreement, which includes a one per cent increase […]
A red flag goes up for Dan Mead whenever an orthotics customer comes into his clinic asking about getting free shoes. “Clearly, we do see the issue, because patients do come in to our office, just speaking anecdotally . . . and you can tell what they’re looking for,” says Mead, a certified prosthetist and […]
Great-West Life Assurance Co. is expanding its benefits offering to employees, including increasing the maximum coverage for mental-health services to $5,000 a year, eliminating prescription drug deductibles on select plans and adding new paramedical services. “Our company believes in the importance of making a difference in the lives of our employees during moments that matter, which is why […]
While it might come as a surprise to some plan members, what may seem like a freebie or giveaway with the purchase of a medical device or service can actually count as benefits abuse. And in some case, offering incentives to customers will get a provider delisted by an insurance company. This week, for example, Shelley […]
In the past, quotes for psychology services in an employee benefits plan were nominal, especially compared to other paramedical benefits, such as massage therapy. However, we’re now taking pause and reconsidering all new data, which suggests millennials have a propensity to make full use of the mental-health resources available to them. Consider that over the […]