Advances in medical science and innovations in drug development necessitate updated drug plan strategies, according to Frédéric Leblanc (pictured far right), strategic leader of drug programs, group benefits and retirement solutions at iA Financial Group. During a panel discussion supported by EMD Serono Inc., GSK, iA Financial Group, Merck & Co. Inc., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. […]
One of the keys to managed care is to reflect on past experiences, understand lessons learned and consider their implications for the future, said Bobby Currie, director of drug evaluation at Manulife, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. While traditional tools like caps, deductibles and co-insurance that employers […]
The previous year was an interesting one in the world of employee benefits plans. Over the previous 12 months, employers have navigated the explosion of claims for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, some forward momentum on national pharmacare and some employers changed their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Here are five […]
When a company is undergoing a merger or acquisition, it’s important to maintain consistency regarding benefits plans and streamline the process as much as possible. “It’s crucial to allocate the proper resources to make sure the process goes smoothly and benefits coverage is maintained or improved upon,” says Connie Cooper, associate vice-president of executive financial […]
Three-quarters (75 per cent) of Canadian employers and 66 per cent of U.S. employers say employee productivity is a key focus for 2025, with most planning to align total rewards — specifically compensation — with productivity metrics, according to a new survey by Hub International Ltd. The survey, which polled 900 employers across North America, […]
An article on the impact of Canadian pension income on federal and provincial tax revenues was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Canadian pension income adding $24.5BN to federal coffers in 2025: report 2. So long foosball, hello […]
Global benefits costs are projected to increase by 10.4 per cent in 2025, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled nearly 350 insurers, found in North America, costs are projected to rise to 8.7 per cent in 2025, up from 8.1 per cent in 2024. In the U.S., insurers projected a […]
In Canada, the average health benefits cost trend for 2025 is estimated to be 7.4 per cent, up from five per cent in 2024, according to a new report by Aon. It found the top medical conditions driving health benefits plan costs are diabetes, autoimmune diseases (excluding diabetes), mental health, lung disorders/respiratory and cardiovascular and […]
An article on how national dental-care and pharmacare programs will impact unionized employees was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. How national dental-care, pharmacare programs will impact unionized employees 2. Survey finds 56% of Canadian workers reporting reduced productivity […]
A large majority (80 per cent) of Canadian employers feel it’s extremely (36 per cent) or somewhat challenging (44 per cent) to provide benefits in today’s economic climate, according to the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey. However, three-quarters (77 per cent) of plan sponsors indicated their health benefits plan was extremely or very important to […]