Benefits Canada’s top 10 health benefits stories of 2009

The H1N1 pandemic has the business community on edge. Will the frightening scenario of empty offices and unserviced clients come to pass? Or will flu season come and go as usual, with minimal disruption? The fact is, the impact for employers can be very real, whatever the outcome.
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2. Reducing health plan costs

The International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans outlines several strategies plan administrators can implement to reduce health plan costs without sacrificing the scope or quality of benefits offered to employees.
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3. The most important trend in managing the cost of drug benefit plans

Mike Sullivan on the price of drugs in Canada.
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4. Why have ASO plans become commodities?

Some things in life are commodities for a reason. But plan members should not be thought of this way, nor should administrative services only plans, writes Mike Sullivan.
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5. The evolution of benefits administration

It is said that “the medium is the message” and that expression certainly holds true with respect to online benefits administration. No longer are providers merely supplying tools. Now it’s all about the “employee experience.”
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6. Zero inflation for employee drug plans: it’s possible!

With two provinces at various stages of drug pricing reforms, proactive employers might see little or no price inflation in their drug plans over the next two to three years.
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7. Post-retirement benefits in the crosshairs

Many companies are scaling back on the benefits offered to new hires, but current retirees are also feeling the pinch, according to research by Towers Perrin.
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8. Narcotic abuse and drug diversion inside your plan

It might come as a surprise to most plan sponsors how much the abuse and diversion of narcotics and controlled drugs can be an issue inside their plan.
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9. Engagement key to 50 best employers

Engaging your workforce is not only integral in making the 50 Best Employers list, it is crucial during periods of intense competition for talent. Organizations that can retain top talent have a competitive advantage in uncertain economic times, according to a study.
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10. Stress cited as top global health risk

For the majority of organizations around the world, improving productivity by keeping employees healthy and working is emerging as the top business objective, with stress singled out as the prime threat to health, according to a survey.
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