prior authorization – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Fri, 22 Nov 2024 22:16:07 +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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]]> 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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]]> A closer look at growing asthma drug spend https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/a-closer-look-at-growing-asthma-drug-spend/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:57:40 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150552 Many Canadians living with asthma are experiencing poor control over their symptoms, impacting the workplace, said Anjila Arora, director of pharmaceutical benefits at Sun Life Financial Inc., during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. Between 53 and 90 per cent of asthmatic Canadians meet at least one criteria for poor control […]

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]]> Public sector benefits plan changes include $75k for gender affirmation coverage https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/public-sector-benefits-plan-changes-include-75k-for-gender-affirmation-coverage/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:00:19 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=141385 Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan, which took effect on July 1, include $75,000 for certain gender affirming procedures not covered by provincial or territorial health-care programs. Other new benefits include: $300 per year each for a registered dietician, occupational therapist and lactation consultant; $200 per year for batteries for hearing aids; $600 per […]

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]]> How plan sponsors, insurers are considering coverage of weight-loss drugs amid rising use of Ozempic https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/how-plan-sponsors-insurers-are-considering-coverage-of-weight-loss-drugs-amid-rising-use-of-ozempic/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:00:32 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=141133 Canadian plan sponsors and insurers are revisiting how they classify obesity drugs under their benefits plans, amid plan members’ rising demand for Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment. Ozempic, also known under the generic name semaglutide, is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the medication has also been credited as a weight-loss treatment, […]

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]]> 2022 Drug Plan Trends Report: High-cost drugs, DEI shaping drug plans https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/2022-drug-plan-trends-report-how-high-cost-drugs-dei-are-shaping-drug-plans/ Fri, 18 Mar 2022 12:55:41 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=118158 This month marks the second anniversary of the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a 24-month span that has had profound effects on the health of benefits plan members and the status and structure of their plans. For drug plans in particular, several trends have come to light — or have accelerated — during the course […]

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]]> Supporting employees with education, access to effective migraine medications https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/supporting-employees-with-access-to-effective-migraine-medications/ Mon, 07 Mar 2022 12:59:24 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=116947 A migraine attack is much more severe than a headache because it comes with a lot of other symptoms, according to Dr. Elizabeth Leroux, a neurologist, president of the Canadian Headache Society and chair of Migraine Canada, speaking during a session supported by Abbvie at Benefits Canada‘s Chronic Disease at Work event in February. Migraine, […]

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]]> Award finalists discuss mental health, enhanced communications amid pandemic https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/award-finalists-discuss-mental-health-enhanced-communications-amid-pandemic/ Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:00:09 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=110551 More than 19 months into the coronavirus pandemic, employers are focusing on enhanced mental-health offerings and streamlined communications for their benefits and pension plans. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 14, the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed the changes brought about by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted their benefits and pensions offerings, while looking […]

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