biosimilars – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:02:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Diabetes medications remain leading drug category for eligible claims in 2023: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/diabetes-medications-remain-leading-drug-category-for-eligible-claims-in-2023-report/ Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:00:23 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154574 In 2023, diabetes medications remained the leading drug category for eligible private insurance claims for the second consecutive year, according to Telus Health’s annual drug trends report. The report, based on claims data from more than 15 million plan members in 2023, found the growing prevalence of diabetes, along with expanded heart failure treatment indications and […]

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]]> How plan sponsors can improve employee health outcomes while optimizing drug plan spend https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/how-plan-sponsors-can-improve-health-outcomes-while-optimizing-their-drug-plan-spend/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:56:14 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150572 With chronic conditions growing in prevalence among plan members, plan sponsors have their work cut out for them in designing benefits plans that provide adequate health support and employee satisfaction while also being cost effective, said Marie-Hélène Dugal, manager of pharmacy benefit strategy for Medavie Blue Cross, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug […]

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]]> Examining the link between cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/examining-the-link-between-cardiovascular-disease-diabetes-and-obesity/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:55:36 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150584 While medications for three interconnected chronic conditions — cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity — represent a growing proportion of employers’ drug spend, there’s plenty that can be done to help employees’ slow the progression of these conditions while managing drug plan costs, said Joyce Wong, director of clinical services at Express Scripts Canada, during Benefits […]

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]]> How plan sponsors can use biosimilars to support employee health, reduce drug costs https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/how-plan-sponsors-can-use-biosimilars-to-support-employee-health-reduce-drug-costs/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:54:04 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150607 Despite the safety and efficacy of biosimilars — and the potential cost savings they offer — uptake among private payers has been low historically and is only starting to gain steam, said Neda Nasseri, pharmacist and private payer product director at Desjardins Insurance, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in December. The insurer first developed […]

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]]> Survey finds U.S. employers are targeting health-care costs, mental health for 2024 https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/survey-finds-u-s-employers-are-targeting-health-care-costs-mental-health-for-2024/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:00:55 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=145780 More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of U.S. employers say they’re focused on managing health-care plan costs, following a projected cost increase of 6.4 per cent in 2024, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 450 U.S. employers, found 63 per cent said they’re focused on enhancing mental-health and […]

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]]> Public sector benefits plan changes include $75k for gender affirmation coverage https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/public-sector-benefits-plan-changes-include-75k-for-gender-affirmation-coverage/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:00:19 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=141385 Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan, which took effect on July 1, include $75,000 for certain gender affirming procedures not covered by provincial or territorial health-care programs. Other new benefits include: $300 per year each for a registered dietician, occupational therapist and lactation consultant; $200 per year for batteries for hearing aids; $600 per […]

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]]> Specialty drugs accounting for smaller portion of total eligible claims amount: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/specialty-drugs-accounting-for-smaller-portion-of-total-eligible-claims-amount-report/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:00:17 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=139815 Specialty drugs are accounting for a slightly smaller portion of the total eligible amount for all drug claims, declining from 33.6 per cent in 2021 to 33.1 per cent in 2022, according to Telus Health’s annual drug trends report. The report, based on claims data from more than 4.6 million plan members in 2022, found the […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-32/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:00:48 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=137109 An article on two upcoming executive departures at the Ontario Pension Board was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Ontario Pension Board preparing for departure of two top executives 2. Communication, education key to smooth transition to biosimilars: expert 3. 71% of Canadian employees […]

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]]> Communication, education key to smooth transition to biosimilars: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/communication-education-key-to-smooth-transition-to-biosimilars-expert/ Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:00:29 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=136956 With Yukon implementing a transitioning policy on April 3 to expand the use of biosimilar medicines in its public drug plan, it’s important for benefits plan sponsors that create a similar policy for their workplace plans to be clear in their communication and education with employees. “It’s never easy to switch a medication, especially when […]

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]]> Report finds new diabetes, migraine treatments could impact private drug plans in 2023 https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/report-finds-new-diabetes-migraine-treatments-could-impact-private-drug-plans-in-2023/ Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:00:43 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=135419 A new diabetes treatment is expected to have the largest impact on private drug plans in 2023, according to a new report by Telus Health. The report, which analyzed more than 100 drug submissions currently under review by Health Canada, found Mounjaro, a new diabetes drug expected to become available in the first half of […]

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