Canadian employers say competition for talent (84 per cent) is the No. 1 issue influencing their benefits strategies, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled around 130 employers, found rising mental-health issues (63 per cent), a focus on inclusion and diversity (48 per cent) and rising costs (40 per cent) are […]
Three-quarters (74 per cent) of U.S. employers say they plan to consolidate their health benefits within the next year, according to a new survey by Summus Global Inc. The survey, which polled more than 250 employers, found that, while 86 per cent said they’re satisfied with their current health benefits offerings, they’re inundated with the management […]
Jessica Tincopa may leave the photography business she spent 14 years building for one reason — to find coverage for fertility treatment. After six miscarriages, Tincopa and her husband started saving for in vitro fertilization, which can cost more than US$20,000. But the coronavirus pandemic wiped out their savings and they can’t find coverage for IVF in their state’s health insurance marketplace. So the California couple is saving again and […]
Just like professional athletes, employees have to balance high performance with periods of rest. To this end, Shopify Inc. introduced its Intermission program in 2018 to ensure workers aren’t burning out. “We must feed our mind and body with good input to achieve good output,” says Kelly Dawson, the organization’s global lead for wellness and […]
A 2023 federal budget proposal to require employers to report dental coverage as part of the national dental-care program will be onerous on plan sponsors and still leaves more questions than answers, says Pam Martin, vice-president and senior consultant at Baynes & White Inc. Since dental benefits are important to an individual’s mental health, the federal government […]
The majority of U.S. employers say recruiting talent (67 per cent) and retaining talent (64 per cent) are their top priorities, according to a new survey by CBIZ Inc. The survey, which polled more than 850 U.S. employers, found the next most important priority was controlling employee medical costs (49 per cent), with these cost-containment […]
A portable health benefits plan is a feasible, affordable and sustainable way to improve access to essential supplemental health and dental benefits for millions of Ontarians, according to a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute. It found the portable benefits plan would likely cost between $3.2 billion and $4.5 billion — excluding administration costs, […]
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 sponsors. The 2023 conference, which was hosted virtually, featured sessions on topics including disability management, substance-use disorder, multiple sclerosis, obesity management, mental health and much more. Find out what you […]
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 disability claims and accommodations,” said Yvonne Murphy, director of disability claims and group benefits at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2023 Chronic Disease at Work conference. […]
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 sponsors. “Theoretically, if these claims could be shared across a broader group, such as the complete private insurance industry, plan costs could be less volatile for individual plan sponsors,” said […]