Great-West Life Assurance Co. is expanding its benefits offering to employees, including increasing the maximum coverage for mental-health services to $5,000 a year, eliminating prescription drug deductibles on select plans and adding new paramedical services.
“Our company believes in the importance of making a difference in the lives of our employees during moments that matter, which is why we’re happy to announce this change,” said Stefan Kristjanson, president and chief operating officer for Canada at Great-West Life, in a press release.
Read: Starbucks Canada increases mental-health benefits to $5,000
“The increase to $5,000 a year for services in support of our employees’ mental well-being addresses the financial barriers of sustained treatment, which in turn will lessen the strain on personal resources and help individuals be their most productive.”
Mary Ann Baynton, program director of the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, noted the announcement demonstrates an understanding of the connection between mental health, physical health and financial health. “Making psychologist and social worker support services more accessible can help employees remain well or recover more completely,” she said.
In the case of the new paramedical services, the company is adding audiologist, dietitian and osteopath to its listing of practitioners and separating the maximums for physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Read: The Co-operators expands mental-health benefits to $5,000 a year