Latest news in Health benefits

Coffee with…Colleen Falco

Coffee with…Colleen Falco

This month, we have coffee with Colleen Falco, HR director with Niagara Casinos

N.B. establishes rare diseases drug plan

N.B. establishes rare diseases drug plan

The New Brunswick government has established the New Brunswick Drugs for Rare Diseases Plan, which will provide assistance to those with certain rare diseases who…

  • By: Staff
  • July 30, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 09:47
Debunking insurer health trend rates

Debunking insurer health trend rates

There’s been no shortage of recent studies indicating that for the past few years, prescription drug inflation in Canada has been relatively flat. Drug patent…

  • July 23, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 10:30
Sun Life launches specialty drug pharmacy network

Sun Life launches specialty drug pharmacy network

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada has entered into a strategic business relationship with McKesson Canada to launch the Sun Life Preferred Pharmacy Network.

  • By: Staff
  • July 16, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 09:22
Beneplan pays dividends

Beneplan pays dividends

The Beneplan Co-operative has issued $1.3 million in patronage dividends to its policyholders, which are small and medium businesses with group benefits plans.

  • By: Staff
  • July 9, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 14:30
Healthcare costs, pensions are top corporate priorities

Healthcare costs, pensions are top corporate priorities

An improving American economy and stable financial markets have given financial executives confidence to explore a range of options to help their companies better manage…

  • By: Staff
  • July 8, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 10:36
Multinationals can raise their benefits game

Multinationals can raise their benefits game

Seven out of 10 global or regional benefits managers at multinational companies have limited or no access to timely financial information related to current employee…

  • By: Staff
  • June 30, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 10:36
Quebec ranks highest among Canada’s public drug plans

Quebec ranks highest among Canada’s public drug plans

New research published by the Canadian Health Policy Institute shows that Quebec's publicly funded drug plan provides the best access to new drugs among all…

Multi-stakeholder sit-down for drug plans

Multi-stakeholder sit-down for drug plans

To protect the sustainability of private drug plans, non-traditional alliances need to become the norm.

Why health literacy matters to employers

Why health literacy matters to employers

I recently attended CPBI’s Forum in Boston. A theme that emerged loud and clear from the majority of the speakers on the topic of benefits…

  • June 19, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 08:00
Express Scripts Canada announces partnership

Express Scripts Canada announces partnership

Express Scripts Canada has partnered with online retailer Well.ca.

  • By: Staff
  • June 19, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 07:38
Dutch healthcare system outperforms Canada’s

Dutch healthcare system outperforms Canada’s

Despite similar costs, the Dutch healthcare system features shorter wait times than the Canadian system with similar to superior outcomes, according to a study.

  • By: Staff
  • June 18, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 09:38
Predictive modelling for your specialty drug spending

Predictive modelling for your specialty drug spending

There have been seven new drug products brought to market already in 2014 in Canada (excluding influenza vaccine formulations), five of which are specialty drugs.…

  • June 16, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 10:46
Participation in voluntary benefits expected to grow

Participation in voluntary benefits expected to grow

Employees are increasingly viewing voluntary benefits as an important component of their overall benefits package.

  • By: Staff
  • June 13, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 09:45
Redefining the defined contribution approach to employee benefits

Redefining the defined contribution approach to employee benefits

When most people talk about defined contribution in a benefits context they think of either a healthcare spending account or a flexible benefits plan that…

Teeth whitening as a benefit?

Teeth whitening as a benefit?

An American insurer is offering the option of adding a teeth whitening benefit to dental insurance policies as an additional cost option to employers.

  • By: Staff
  • June 3, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 14:28
Employers and employees not on the same benefits page

Employers and employees not on the same benefits page

While more than ever Canadian companies realize that a healthy workforce is more productive, there’s often a discrepancy between what employees expect from their health…

The nutcracker

The nutcracker

How software firm Macadamian harnesses technology to improve the employee benefits experience

How to use new technology trends in benefits communication

How to use new technology trends in benefits communication

Want to boost engagement? Make sure your new tools put the employee first.

Employers embracing flexibility

Employers embracing flexibility

One size no longer fits all and employees are demanding benefits that cater to their unique needs. Twenty years ago most organizations provided traditional benefits…

  • May 29, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 11:25
Specialty drug spend unsustainable: report

Specialty drug spend unsustainable: report

Spending on specialty drugs is likely to increase at a significant rate, substantially impacting the cost employers pay, according to a report.

  • By: Staff
  • May 28, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 11:17
Employers’ role in co-ordinating health insurance

Employers’ role in co-ordinating health insurance

As we know, Canadians receive most of their healthcare services through a publicly funded system administered by their province of residence and funded by the…

Healthcare benefits costs stabilize, but larger hikes loom

Healthcare benefits costs stabilize, but larger hikes loom

The cost of providing employee healthcare benefits has stabilized around the globe, although a new round of increases may be on the horizon for employers.

  • By: Staff
  • May 20, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 11:11
Changing benefits advisors

Changing benefits advisors

Today’s plan sponsors and administrators are being pursued more aggressively than ever. Some might feel as if they’ve been painted with some sort of target,…

  • May 20, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 11:11
Healthcare costs projected to rise more slowly

Healthcare costs projected to rise more slowly

Projected cost increases for all types of medical plans in the United States are anticipated to be down by between 0.1 and 0.5 percentage points…

  • By: Staff
  • May 16, 2014 September 13, 2019
  • 11:25