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Coverage of the 2023 Chronic Disease at Work conference

For almost 10 years, Benefits Canada’s Chronic Disease at Work conference has examined the current trends in chronic disease in Canada and what they mean for plan…

Proactive, customized health and wellness strategies must consider pandemic impacts

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, employers will likely start to see more chronic diseases in their employee population and should consider proactive strategies…

What employers need to know about alopecia areata

In just three months, Jennifer Krahn’s life completely changed. The vivacious and confident ex-athlete and biology teacher began her journey with alopecia areata when she…

A look at the impact of shingles in the workplace

In 2021, Marcy came into Pavithra Ravinatarajan’s pharmacy with a handful of blisters on her face, which she thought was the result of a new…

How employers can support plan members with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, which tends to strike at the height of people’s working years, can have a significant impact on their productivity at work, as well…

Return-to-work strategies, open communication help alleviate employee stress, anxiety

While the World Health Organization defines stress as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain, simply put, it’s the body’s response…

Evidence-based treatments key to effective obesity management

We live in an information ecosystem — especially when talking about obesity — that’s full of misinformation, fads and gimmicks, said Ian Patton, director of…

Supporting employees with chronic, complex conditions helps manage benefits costs

When it comes to chronic conditions, there’s a difference in understanding and appreciating — “and this difference goes a long way in helping employers navigate their…

Addressing substance use as a health concern, not a performance issue

Stigmatization is a pervasive issue for people living with a substance-use disorder, said Anthony Esposti, chief executive officer at the Community Addictions Peer Support Association,…

Coverage of the 2022 Face to Face in Drug Plan Management Forum

Running for more than 17 years, Benefits Canada‘s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum is the industry’s most popular drug benefits conference. In 2022,…

Rethinking risk management and the future of private drug insurance

With cost of private drug plan claims rising about 5.5 per cent each year, pooling is one solution that could be beneficial for benefits plan…

Taking a holistic approach to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is commonly misunderstood and can reduce the ability of a person to function while impacting their quality of life, said Anjila…

A look at the evolving role of pharmacists in drug plan management

As pharmacists’ scope of practice evolves across the country, their expanded role in drug plan management can improve plan member health and positively impact plan…

Four drug plan management strategies to help bend the cost curve

With the cost of drug claims continuing to rise in 2021, benefits plan sponsors can enable certain drug programs to curb costs, keeping their plans…

Innovative new drugs improve health outcomes, productivity and plan sponsors’ bottom lines

While a transplant can be life-altering for a patient as a permanent cure for their underlying condition, it can also profoundly affect their immune system,…

What problems need to be solved when it comes to rare diseases?

About a million Canadians are impacted by rare diseases, which disproportionately affect younger patients — 70 per cent start in childhood and, sadly, half of…

An update on vaccine coverage in private drug plans

While vaccine coverage varies across provincial drug plans, several million Canadians who are members of private drug plans don’t have coverage at all, according to…

From patient to plan sponsor, how health benefits can turn a life around

Living with a rare chronic disease while also managing an employer-sponsored benefits plan provides Chris MacLeod with a unique perspective. During a session supported by Vertex…

What plan sponsors need to know about employees with atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis affects all areas of patients’ lives, including their work and productivity, said Lyn Guenther, professor of dermatology at Western University, during Benefits Canada’s…

Applying chronic disease principles to supporting plan members with obesity

Benefits plans tend to cover care for common chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive lung disease. But the one they often don’t…

Sleep Country Canada’s employee experience app taking centre stage amid pandemic

With a diverse and geographically spread-out employee population of office workers, retail store associates and delivery drivers, Sleep Country Canada’s human resources team knew it…

Desjardins making Telus Health’s Medisys On-Demand available to plan sponsors

When Desjardins Insurance wanted to determine the value of virtual health care in employer-sponsored benefits plans, it used its own employees as guinea pigs. The…

Haleo helping benefits plan members overcome insomnia

Embarking on a workplace chronic illness or mental-health strategy is incomplete without factoring in sleep, said Bradley Smith, chief executive officer of Haleo Clinic, during…

Chronically Simple streamlining health benefits information management

It took Kristy Dickinson almost seven years, numerous appointments with health-care providers and multiple failed treatment plans to be diagnosed with a complex, rare disease.…

Caisse investing in U.S.-based fintech company

Dexcom Canada’s taking the sting out of monitoring glucose levels with its G6 CGM system

Uncontrolled diabetes can have a major impact on the workplace, driving absenteeism and impaired presenteeism rates, as well as short- and long-term disability, said Sarah…