When RBC Insurance Services Inc. began offering pharmacogenetic testing to its group benefits plan sponsors and began a clinical study of the issue in relation to biologic drugs recently, it did so with a few things in mind. “There’s a number of issues we’re looking at as we consider how to approach addressing those issues, […]
In last week’s report on pharmacare, the House of Commons’ standing committee on health recommended a significant departure from the current mix of private drug coverage supplemented by public programs. While the report referenced various provincial drug programs that supplement private benefits plans or cover those without their own insurance — including those offered by Quebec, […]
France-based insurance company April has acquired Benecaid Health Benefits Solutions Inc. The acquisition will allow the Lyon, France-based company to expand and diversify the Canadian side of its business beyond property and casualty insurance, according to a press release. April has been active in the Canadian property and casualty insurance market for more than 10 years, […]
When the calendar turns to May, employees at Bell strap on their walking shoes. Last year, during the company’s mental-health week, Bell started a walking challenge, says Marie-Josée Boivin, vice-president of human resources. “So our employees could either join a team or create a team, but for a full month, people were counting their steps […]
While Canada’s defined contribution pension industry faces many challenges, the continuous improvement of offerings from service providers is one of the things that’s working, according to Western University’s Louise Koza. “I think what’s working is we have some very good service providers that are continuously improving their technology, their services, their education and their administration,” said Koza, the […]
One of the biggest changes in the benefits industry over the next five years will be the movement towards virtual care as a standalone category, said Tim Clarke at Benefits Canada‘s Benefits & Pension Summit in Toronto on Monday. “Whether you’re talking about telemedicine, whether you’re talking about virtual [cognitive behavioural therapy], you think about […]
At General Electric Co. Canada, part of Dr. Sol Sax’s job as consultant and medical director is to support and refine the company’s disability management process. That process includes everything from how the company helps to prevent workers from going on disability to monitoring them while they’re away and supporting their return to work. As part of its […]
How can employers better address conditions, such as migraines, that are among the factors contributing to illness and absenteeism? With rates of illness and disability on the rise, absenteeism is a significant and growing concern for Canadian employers. Statistics Canada figures for 2017 show rates of absenteeism have been on an upswing in recent years, […]
Is your organization’s health and wellness program a cut above? Is your pension plan communications better than the rest? Is your diversity program or mental-health program worthy of recognition? Benefits Canada’s annual Workplace Benefits Awards is now open for nominations. Submit your entries here. The 2018 awards include a new category for financial wellness, an area that’s growing in […]
Following in the footsteps of other Canadian provinces, Quebec has introduced a bill to amend its labour laws that includes changes to sick leave entitlements. Currently, employees in Quebec can take to up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave annually due to sickness, organ or tissue donation, an accident, domestic violence or a criminal offence. The latest proposals include two […]