It’s a familiar situation: An employee is feeling ill at work but is too busy to leave for a medical appointment. Or perhaps the employee’s child wakes up with a sore throat and needs to see a doctor. New apps and services are emerging to aid in those situations. Video health conferencing and telemedicine allow […]
Three of the world’s largest organizations are joining up to form an independent health-care company with the aim of providing U.S. employees and their families with simple, reasonably priced and transparent health care. While the move by Amazon.com Inc., Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and JPMorgan Chase and Co. is in the early stages, its initial focus will be on […]
As the ways that Canadians use smartphones and apps continue to evolve, what are the implications for those technologies in health-care and wellness services? According to recent studies by digital marketing company Catalyst Canada, the number of apps per smartphone is declining, but the actual use of them is becoming more specialized. The studies note that, despite the […]
Enrolling new employees in life insurance policies can involve a number of steps for employers. Not only do they have to ensure workers understand their coverage options and are comfortable with the premiums, but they may have to drive across the province to collect their signatures. “I have a case where [the client has] about 45 employees, and […]
Despite mental health accounting for more than 30 per cent of long-term disability claims, there’s a disconnect between medical practitioners and insurers that unwittingly impedes the ability of plan members to receive timely care. Samuel Mikail, senior consultant for mental health at Sun Life Financial, told attendees at Benefits Canada’s 2017 Mental Health Summit in […]
With Amazon.com Inc.’s Alexa service and related devices to be available in Canada in December, Manulife Financial Corp. has developed a capability for the voice-activated digital assistant that will allow plan members to check the balances of their group benefits coverage. Starting in December, through any Alexa-enabled device, all plan members who have mobile service turned on […]
The Reformulary Group Inc. has launched an app for its DrugFinder service that allows all Canadians to search the company’s curated list of medications. Previously only available to employees whose companies subscribed to the company’s formulary, the service allows users to find the cost, level of reimbursement and availability of any suitable alternative drugs. Read: Reformulary […]
As the economy continues to face major technological disruption, investors will face an increasingly competitive environment to find the best real estate opportunities, a panel of experts suggested at an event in Toronto on Thursday. “Every time you hear the word challenge, you should hear opportunity,” said Tim Bellman, head of global research on Invesco Ltd.’s real estate […]
Quebec-based Rideau Recognition Inc. is rolling out a 30-day workplace health challenge for employers that use its new workplace wellness and health education app. The health challenge, which begins Oct. 2, is open to any employer that offers the organization’s Vistance Wellness app to its employees. The winning company will receive $2,500 to donate to […]
Two-thirds of Canadians are tracking their health and well-being using either a mobile app or smart device, according to new research by Canada Health Infoway. The study, which surveyed more than 4,000 Canadians, found that among those who do use technology to track their health and well-being, 59 per cent are employed and 41 per cent […]