National drug spending is expected to continue to rise after a 7.1% increase last year, according to John Herbert, director of business development at ESI…
There has been a lot of discussion about intergenerational differences in benefit needs and wants. There are now four generations represented in today’s workforce—the traditionalists…
Looking for loyal employees? Trying to attract new workers? If so, you may want to optimize your benefits plan. According to the 6th annual MetLife…
The number of employers planning to get more directly involved in the individual health of their employees jumped 25 percentage points from last year, reflecting…
As employees and plan sponsors become more techsavvy, they’re demanding faster, easier and more convenient benefits solutions. This year’s Group Insurance Report looks at how…
Co-operators Life Insurance Company has launched a new platform for drug, dental and extended health claims adjudication. It includes the capability to provide online dental…
The 2008 Ontario Budget could have a positive impact on employers offering benefits programs to their workers in that province, says an Aon Consulting InfoFlash.…
A nationwide survey of insurers and Blue Cross agencies suggests Canadian private healthcare plans continue to face steep cost increases in 2008. The Canadian Health…
When the federal government announced, in the recent budget, that it was tightening eligibility rules for the medical expense tax credit (METC) to exclude medications,…
One scenario that I have seen play itself out on multiple occasions over the past year is that of a plan sponsor trying to understand…
Consumer-directed health plans (CDHP) are on the rise in the United States—and more employees are using them. According to a Watson Wyatt survey of 453…
The 2008 federal budget provided some clarifications to the medical expense tax credit (METC) provisions regarding the eligibility of drugs and medications, says a note…
Employer plans impacted by increasing drug costs and changes to the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) formulary Over 30 generic antibiotics increased in price by up…
Sponsors of small group plans continue to face the same challenges: cost, competition and capability. Small plan sponsors want to offer the same kinds of…
Covering lifestyle drugs as part of a healthy workplace strategy may also help attract and retain employees. Employers looking to reduce, or at least contain,…
It goes without saying that most employers would like to have a healthy workforce—both for the sake of employees as well as for the benefit…
The wired, Facebook-loving demographic known as Generation Y has been polled on their chief career concerns and it turns out the internet generation worries about…
Let’s get the party started! On Apr. 2, 2008, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) will once again be leading the celebrations for…
Healthcare costs in retirement are a concern for many Canadians, but few are actually taking steps to address it, according to a Sun Life Financial…
A recent study found that the number of companies using internal communication programs to encourage employee participation in benefits programs is on the rise. According…
Health Canada has approved Cymbalta for the symptomatic relief of major depressive disorder in adults—the first new antidepressant available in several years. The net wholesale…
Job candidates are attracted to more than just salary these days, according to a survey conducted from Robert Half International. Of the 270 chief financial…
Plan sponsors are going to great lengths in their benefits plan communications. Prepare to be amazed. With a wider range of options available than ever…
With recent legislation in Ontario and Nova Scotia allowing dental hygienists to practise independently of dentists, what is the impact on employers, insurers and employees?…
EDS Canada was moving from a traditional plan to a flexible benefits plan and needed to get the message across to employees in a positive…