Latest news in Health benefits

How Canadian multinationals are rising to the challenge of global benefits governance

How Canadian multinationals are rising to the challenge of global benefits governance

Of the 114 multinational companies that participated in the last Mercer global benefits governance survey, 84 per cent of respondents said they believed their existing…

How League is rethinking traditional workplace health benefits

How League is rethinking traditional workplace health benefits

This article was originally published on Benefits Canada‘s companion site, Canadian Business. Mike Serbinis isn’t a fan of the word “pivot.” It’s an overused term in…

Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ shares plunge to lowest levels in years

Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ shares plunge to lowest levels in years

Valeant Pharmaceuticals shares plunged to their lowest level in years today after its fourth quarter earnings came in below expectations and it warned that the first quarter…

77% concerned about Ontario’s healthcare system: report

77% concerned about Ontario’s healthcare system: report

More than three-quarters (77%) of Ontarians are concerned about the sustainability of the province’s healthcare system, according to a new report. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s…

Ottawa spent $2.2 million in fees for maternity, sickness benefits lawsuit

Ottawa spent $2.2 million in fees for maternity, sickness benefits lawsuit

Newly released figures show the federal government has spent more than $2.2 million in legal fees fighting a class-action lawsuit over maternity and sickness benefits. Most…

Why you should care about self-injury exclusions in insurance

Why you should care about self-injury exclusions in insurance

Clauses in individual and group benefits plans exclude coverage for people who try to harm themselves. These clauses, set by insurers, are used in products…

  • By: Katie Keir
  • March 11, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:23
Health benefits key area of focus in M&A transactions: report

Health benefits key area of focus in M&A transactions: report

The top rewards-related issue during a merger and acquisition transaction is medical benefits, a key area of focus in 92% of projects analyzed by Mercer…

30% of U.K. employers have a defined wellness strategy

30% of U.K. employers have a defined wellness strategy

Almost a third (30%) of U.K. employers have a defined wellness strategy in place for their employees, according to new research by the Reward & Employee…

Employee contributions to spousal health coverage on the rise: survey

Employee contributions to spousal health coverage on the rise: survey

More than half (56%) of U.S. employers have increased employee contributions to healthcare coverage for spouses, while another 25% plan to do so by 2018,…

  • By: Staff
  • March 10, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:12
NFL must pay benefits for retired player’s brain injury: judge

NFL must pay benefits for retired player’s brain injury: judge

A federal judge has ordered the NFL’s pension plan to pay higher disability benefits to a retired player who apparently is suffering from an illness caused…

Xenon Pharmaceuticals posts loss of $3.9 million in fourth quarter

Xenon Pharmaceuticals posts loss of $3.9 million in fourth quarter

Xenon Pharmaceuticals has reported a fourth-quarter loss of $3.9 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier. On a per-share basis, the…

56% of employers use mobile technology to support employee health: survey

56% of employers use mobile technology to support employee health: survey

More than half (56%) of employer respondents are using mobile apps and associated technologies to promote employee health engagement, according to a new study. The…

  • By: Staff
  • March 8, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:58
Sounding Board: Health outcomes and personal choice collide

Sounding Board: Health outcomes and personal choice collide

A Quebec employer recently boasted about its unconventional hiring policy – the company has never hired a “smoker” in its 30 years as a business, and its proud of this stance.…

Rexall acquired by U.S. drug distributor McKesson

Rexall acquired by U.S. drug distributor McKesson

National drugstore chain Rexall Health is being sold to U.S. health-care giant McKesson Corp. as part of a $3-billion deal, the two companies announced Wednesday.…

Track your employees fitness with an Apple Watch

Track your employees fitness with an Apple Watch

Your employees know they need to exercise more, but there’s always next week, or the week after. To entice your staff to stop procrastinating, employers or insurers…

How Ontario’s drug changes for seniors could affect employers

How Ontario’s drug changes for seniors could affect employers

Employers that provide health and wellness benefits for retirees will want to make sure they keep an eye on a number of changes to the…

Generic drug price levels falling, report finds

Generic drug price levels falling, report finds

Generic drug price levels in Canada experienced significant declines in the period from 2010-14, according to research by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. Its…

  • By: Staff
  • March 2, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:02
How employees can maximize their benefits

How employees can maximize their benefits

Despite many employers offering employee benefits that range from dental plans to retirement savings, the biggest problem companies have is engaging employes “to give a hoot,”…

  • By: Staff
  • March 1, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 08:49
Up to 600 TTC employees involved in benefits fraud

Up to 600 TTC employees involved in benefits fraud

Up to 600 TTC employees are under investigation for their involvement in a benefits fraud scandal, according to an article in the Toronto Star. According to the…

  • By: Staff
  • February 29, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:27
What the Ontario Budget means for employers

What the Ontario Budget means for employers

Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa announced the province’s 2016 budget on Thursday, outlining a range of developments of interest to employers and benefit plan sponsors, including:…

  • By: Staff
  • February 26, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:12
Ontario Budget: Redesigned public drug program to come by 2019

Ontario Budget: Redesigned public drug program to come by 2019

During its 2016 budget, the Ontario government said it will introduce a redesigned public drug program by 2019. As part of Ontario’s Patients First: Action Plan…

  • By: Staff
  • February 25, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 17:50
Ontario Budget: WSIB reductions, income testing for benefits, streamlined benefits for the education sector

Ontario Budget: WSIB reductions, income testing for benefits, streamlined benefits for the education sector

During its 2016 budget announcement on Feb. 25, the Ontario government also clarified its plans for reducing future WSIB premiums, continuing its review of benefits…

  • By: Staff
  • February 25, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 17:45
What’s the impact of emerging cancer treatments on benefits plans?

What’s the impact of emerging cancer treatments on benefits plans?

New immuno-onocology treatments for cancer are showing a lot of promise, but many questions remain about their side-effects and how they can be applied in both…

  • By: Glenn Kauth
  • February 25, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 10:35
Hacking your way to a healthier workforce

Hacking your way to a healthier workforce

While employees’ attachments to their smartphones can be disruptive at work, there are innovative ways to harness them to create healthier workplaces, a forum heard yesterday.…

  • By: Yaelle Gang
  • February 25, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 09:55
Medavie appoints Dr. Myrna Francis to board

Medavie appoints Dr. Myrna Francis to board

Medavie has appointed Dr. Myrna Francis, president of Mfran Enterprises, to its board. Dr. Francis currently provides strategic advisory services regarding health and technology to…

  • By: Staff
  • February 23, 2016 September 13, 2019
  • 11:50