Latest news in Health benefits

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New report shows mental-health drug claims ‘skyrocketed’ among young Canadians between 2019 and 2021

Between 2019 and 2021, mental-health drug claims skyrocketed among young Canadians, according to a new report by Sun Life Financial Inc. The report, which identified…

  • By: Staff
  • January 31, 2023 January 30, 2023
  • 09:00

Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on how British Columbia’s amended definition of provision for adverse deviation will impact the province’s target-benefit pension plans was the most-read story on…

  • By: Staff
  • January 27, 2023 January 26, 2023
  • 09:00

Vancity supporting employee well-being with enhanced mental-health coverage

Vancouver City Savings Credit Union is supporting employee well-being by increasing its coverage for mental-health benefits from $1,500 to $10,000, per employee and per dependant.…

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64% of U.S. employers increasing investments in employee wellness: survey

Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of U.S. employers are planning to increase their spend on employee wellness programs, according to a new survey by Wellable.…

  • By: Staff
  • January 25, 2023 January 24, 2023
  • 09:00

Bell Let’s Talk Day: More mental-health support needed in the workplace

Bell Canada is marking its annual Let’s Talk Day with a call-to-action for increased mental-health support within communities and workplaces. “This year’s campaign has taken…

Coverage of the 2022 Face to Face in Drug Plan Management Forum

Running for more than 17 years, Benefits Canada‘s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum is the industry’s most popular drug benefits conference. In 2022,…

Rethinking risk management and the future of private drug insurance

With cost of private drug plan claims rising about 5.5 per cent each year, pooling is one solution that could be beneficial for benefits plan…

Striking the right balance between member access, plan sustainability

Plan sponsors face challenges balancing benefits plan sustainability while also ensuring their plan members have access to the care they need, said Marie-Hélène Dugal, manager…

Taking a holistic approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is commonly misunderstood and can reduce the ability of a person to function while impacting their quality of life, said Anjila…

A look at the evolving role of pharmacists in drug plan management

As pharmacists’ scope of practice evolves across the country, their expanded role in drug plan management can improve plan member health and positively impact plan…

Four drug plan management strategies to help bend the cost curve

With the cost of drug claims continuing to rise in 2021, benefits plan sponsors can enable certain drug programs to curb costs, keeping their plans…

Innovative new drugs improve health outcomes, productivity and plan sponsors’ bottom lines

While a transplant can be life-altering for a patient as a permanent cure for their underlying condition, it can also profoundly affect their immune system,…

What problems need to be solved when it comes to rare diseases?

About a million Canadians are impacted by rare diseases, which disproportionately affect younger patients — 70 per cent start in childhood and, sadly, half of…

An update on vaccine coverage in private drug plans

While vaccine coverage varies across provincial drug plans, several million Canadians who are members of private drug plans don’t have coverage at all, according to…

From patient to plan sponsor, how health benefits can turn a life around

Living with a rare chronic disease while also managing an employer-sponsored benefits plan provides Chris MacLeod with a unique perspective. During a session supported by Vertex…

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Domtar, Unifor agreements include pension, benefits gains

The union representing 450 employees at Domtar Corp. in Dryden, Ont. has ratified three collective agreements that include benefits and pension gains. The agreements include…

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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on how employers can use ‘Blue Monday’ as an opportunity to discuss mental health was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last…

  • By: Staff
  • January 20, 2023 January 19, 2023
  • 09:00

Employees who feel they don’t belong at work more likely to quit: survey

Employees who feel like they don’t belong at their workplace are 59 per cent more likely to consider quitting their job due to mental-health concerns,…

  • By: Staff
  • January 19, 2023 January 18, 2023
  • 09:00

Acera Insurance merging with Calgary-based Fairfield Watson

Acera Insurance is merging with Fairfield Watson Inc., a Calgary-based consulting firm specializing in employee benefits, insurance and retirement. The new company will retain the Acera…

  • By: Staff
  • January 18, 2023 January 18, 2023
  • 15:00

Walmart enhancing benefits plan with fertility treatments, gender affirmation

Walmart Canada is enhancing its employee benefits plan with coverage for fertility treatments and gender affirmation. Nadia Cerisano, vice-president of total rewards and global mobility…

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Survey finds sales of U.S. supplemental health insurance products increasing

Sales of U.S. workplace supplemental health insurance products totalled US$2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2022, rising 11 per cent year over year,…

  • By: Staff
  • January 17, 2023 January 16, 2023
  • 09:00

Employers can use ‘Blue Monday’ to reset workplace mental-health strategies

The third Monday in January, also known as ‘Blue Monday,’ is considered to be the saddest day of the year, as people contend with frigid…

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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on the potential impacts of Alberta withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here…

  • By: Staff
  • January 13, 2023 January 12, 2023
  • 09:00

Employer-sponsored health benefits costs projected to rise 7.5% in 2023: report

The costs of employer-sponsored medical benefits in Canada are expected to rise 7.5 per cent in 2023, according to a new report by Aon. The…

  • By: Staff
  • January 13, 2023 January 12, 2023
  • 09:00
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Co-operators acquiring Smart Employee Benefits

Co-operators Financial Services Ltd. is acquiring Mississauga, Ont.-based Smart Employee Benefits Inc. Following the acquisition, Smart Employee Benefits will continue to operate as a standalone…

  • By: Staff
  • January 6, 2023 January 5, 2023
  • 09:00