Latest news in Health benefits

Rethinking long-term disability with cannabis-assisted return to work

Rethinking long-term disability with cannabis-assisted return to work

Compared with recreational users, medical cannabis patients frequently use CBD-dominant preparations with the smallest amount of THC to get the greatest improvements in symptom control,…

Considering the link between cardiovascular disease, absenteeism and cost

Considering the link between cardiovascular disease, absenteeism and cost

Thirty per cent of deaths in Canada are due to cardiovascular disease. It kills more woman than all cancers combined. And it cost $21 billion…

The numbers behind chronic disease in the workplace

The numbers behind chronic disease in the workplace

By now, the economic burden of chronic disease in Canada has most likely surpassed $200 billion, according to Sarah Lussier Hoskyn, senior analyst, regulatory affairs and…

Understanding the burden of adolescent eczema on patients, caregivers

Understanding the burden of adolescent eczema on patients, caregivers

For adolescents with atopic dermatitis, or eczema, the burden of illness is high and caregivers face many challenges, according to Dr. Neil Shear, president of…

A look at the value of continuous glucose monitoring

A look at the value of continuous glucose monitoring

For people with diabetes, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can impact health and, as a result, workplace performance. However real-time continuous glucose monitoring can enable people to…

The impact of hypoglycemia on workplace absenteeism

The impact of hypoglycemia on workplace absenteeism

While the definition of type 1 diabetes – the body doesn’t produce insulin – sounds clear and concise, this disease is anything but, said Lisa Geelen,…

65% of plan sponsors have specific objective for benefits plan: Sanofi

65% of plan sponsors have specific objective for benefits plan: Sanofi

Two-thirds (65 per cent) of plan sponsors said they have a specific objective for their health benefits plan in the coming year, according to the 2019…

  • By: Staff
  • June 20, 2019 November 11, 2020
  • 09:00
Do benefits plan members want more personalized health info?

Do benefits plan members want more personalized health info?

Two-thirds (65 per cent) of plan members said they’d be willing to receive health-related information from the insurer managing their workplace benefits plan based on…

  • By: Staff
  • June 19, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:15
Sanofi survey finds plan sponsors, members misunderstand private drug plans

Sanofi survey finds plan sponsors, members misunderstand private drug plans

Plan sponsors and plan members are unaware of the key differences between private and public drug plans, according to the 2019 Sanofi Canada health-care survey.…

  • By: Staff
  • June 18, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
Target expanding family care benefits for U.S. staff

Target expanding family care benefits for U.S. staff

Beginning June 30, Target Corp. will extend its backup care offerings to hourly and salaried employees at all U.S. stores and distribution centres. The program will include 20 days…

  • By: Staff
  • June 17, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 16:30
Is scrutiny on the rise for long-term disability claims?

Is scrutiny on the rise for long-term disability claims?

A recent RBC Insurance Services Inc. study found 45 percent of employees on disability claimed their workplaces pressured them to go back earlier than they…

Employee satisfaction with job, finances linked to better health

Employee satisfaction with job, finances linked to better health

Job satisfaction is a major influence on employees’ perceptions of their personal health, according to the 2019 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. The survey found employees…

  • By: Staff
  • June 17, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
Industry responds to expert panel’s pharmacare report

Industry responds to expert panel’s pharmacare report

Industry groups had mixed feelings about an expert panel’s report calling for a single-payer pharmacare plan. Released on Wednesday by Eric Hoskins, former Ontario health…

  • By: Staff
  • June 14, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:25
What are the top chronic diseases in the workplace?

What are the top chronic diseases in the workplace?

More than half (54 per cent) of Canadian workers reported having at least one chronic disease or condition, according to the 2019 Sanofi Canada health-care…

  • By: Staff
  • June 14, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:20
Caregiving responsibilities costing U.S. workers their jobs, benefits: research

Caregiving responsibilities costing U.S. workers their jobs, benefits: research

Forty-three million Americans are currently acting as an unpaid caregiver for a family member, according to a report by the U.S.-based business research organization LIMRA.…

  • By: Staff
  • June 14, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:15
Conference Coverage: 2019 Vancouver Benefits Summit

Conference Coverage: 2019 Vancouver Benefits Summit

On May 24, the 2019 Vancouver Benefits Summit focused on how employers can make their organization its healthiest by starting with their benefits plans. Here’s what…

Panel: Should drug coverage for certain conditions still be optional?

Panel: Should drug coverage for certain conditions still be optional?

In many workplace drug plans, medications that treat certain conditions remain in the optional life category, but is this structure still valid today? The optional…

How does cognitive behavioural therapy actually work?

How does cognitive behavioural therapy actually work?

Everyone is talking about cognitive behavioural therapy, but do most people understand it? It’s important for plan sponsors to fully understand what they’re paying for when…

How does cognitive behavioural therapy actually work?

How does cognitive behavioural therapy actually work?

Everyone is talking about cognitive behavioural therapy, but do most people understand it? It’s important for plan sponsors to fully understand what they’re paying for when…

  • June 14, 2019 November 10, 2020
  • 07:57
How changing public coverage could affect the pharmaceuticals industry

How changing public coverage could affect the pharmaceuticals industry

If the Canadian government wants to tackle drug coverage, it should focus on the areas where Canadians are facing genuine gaps, according to Joe Farago, executive…

Using biologics to help workers with inflammatory conditions

Using biologics to help workers with inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory conditions have the power to severely affect employees’ productivity and general quality of life. But new biologic treatments are raising the success rates for sufferers, according to…

Using biologics to help workers with inflammatory conditions

Using biologics to help workers with inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory conditions have the power to severely affect employees’ productivity and general quality of life. But new biologic treatments are raising the success rates for sufferers, according to…

  • June 14, 2019 November 10, 2020
  • 07:55
Expert panel calling for single-payer pharmacare plan

Expert panel calling for single-payer pharmacare plan

An expert panel is calling for the federal government to work with the provinces and territories to create a single-payer public pharmacare program. Eric Hoskins,…

  • By: Staff
  • June 13, 2019 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
Putting employees first led to OPG’s Workplace Benefits Awards win

Putting employees first led to OPG’s Workplace Benefits Awards win

Ontario Power Generation’s win in the absence management category at Benefits Canada’s 2018 Workplace Benefits Awards has meant a lot to the organization, especially for upper management, because it…

Plan sponsors, members interested in cannabis, pharmacogenetics: survey

Plan sponsors, members interested in cannabis, pharmacogenetics: survey

Plan sponsors and members are increasingly interested in making non-core benefits like pharmacogenetic testing and medical cannabis part of their plans, according to the 2019…