May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when organizations create conversations around psychological well-being through campaigns, webinars and internal communications. In the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been more important than ever for employers to prioritize employees mental-health needs. However, despite efforts to invest heavily in workplace mental-health benefits, there still appears […]
While artificial intelligence isn’t a novel concept in benefits administration, all sides of the industry are still considering best uses and areas for improvement. 1Password’s benefits provider incorporates AI for data analytics, as well as typical service requests and personalization, says Katya Laviolette, the software company’s chief people officer. For employees looking for different resources, […]
Preventing benefits fraud is a core priority for the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association because it helps keep benefits plans accessible and affordable for the 27 million Canadians that depend on them, says Richelle Feddema, the organization’s senior manager of anti-fraud member management. Insurers are working together through the CLHIA’s ‘Fraud = Fraud’ program, […]
Mental and physical health care have long been treated as separate silos, but there’s a growing recognition in the benefits industry that an integrated, personalized care experience can improve health outcomes, manage chronic disease and reduce “ballooning health spend,” according to Matthew Chow (pictured right), chief mental health officer at Telus Health. “We’re moving employee […]
Private payors spent a collective $37 billion on health care in 2024 out of a total Canadian health-care spend of $372 billion, with the benefits industry continuing to see unprecedented advancement in technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence. Despite this, “we’re still not actually nudging substantial health outcomes,” said Dr. Andrew Bond, senior […]
Arc’teryx Equipment was recognized with the Benefits Plan Communications award at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards for its engaging year-round and technology-savvy benefits reminders to employees. “We have learned that [our] how-to videos with fewer words and more graphics or modern technology resonates better with our groups,” said Mikkaela Fernandez (pictured left), the outerwear […]
In the next three years, more than half (57 per cent) of global employers plan to reallocate or rebalance their benefits spend, adding or enhancing some benefits (23 per cent) while reducing or removing others (two per cent), according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 5,500 global employers, found […]
Almost half (46 per cent) of multinational companies say they’re prioritizing the use of employee-facing technology to support benefits management, including the use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies to improve benefits navigation and decision-making, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 260 employers, found more than half […]
For the past 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. Hosted in a virtual format on Feb. 12, the 2025 conference explored several chronic diseases, as well as their impacts on the workplace and the role of employers […]
Chronic disease rates are rising and cases are becoming more complex, with a higher share of plan members experiencing multiple co-morbidities. This growing trend necessitates an approach to chronic disease management that promotes self-management and healthy lifestyle choices, as well as helps plan members better navigate the health-care landscape, said Jeffery Chan, assistant vice-president of […]