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 […]
It’s important for private payers and employers to be nimble and innovative to support plan members seeking access to novel drugs and treatments by addressing common hurdles within their own drug plans, said John Adams, chair of the board of directors for patient advocacy group Best Medicines Coalition, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face […]
Obesity has long been misunderstood and stigmatized as a lifestyle condition instead of a complex disease, said Rami Halabi, a medical science liaison with Novo Nordisk, during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada and sponsored by Novo Nordisk in November. The condition isn’t just a measure of size, but a progressive, relapsing chronic disease characterized […]
More than half (58 per cent) of global insurers say they anticipate higher health benefits costs over the next three years, with the average global cost trend projected to increase by 9.9 per cent in 2024, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 260 insurers representing 66 countries, found […]
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, employers will likely start to see more chronic diseases in their employee population and should consider proactive strategies for supporting workers’ overall health, said Peter Nord, chief medical officer at Medcan, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Chronic Disease at Work conference in early February. “Employees are looking around for […]
The costs of employer-sponsored medical benefits in Canada are expected to rise 7.5 per cent in 2023, according to a new report by Aon. The report analyzed responses from more than 100 Aon offices that broker, administer or advise on employer-sponsored medical plans across the world. Consistent with last year, it found the medical conditions […]
Employer-sponsored health benefits cost trends are expected to increase by a record 10 per cent on average globally in 2023, amid rising inflation and increasing health-care utilization, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 250 insurers representing 55 countries, found cost trends in Canada are expected to increase by […]
Employer-sponsored health benefits cost trends are expected to increase 8.1 per cent on average globally in 2022, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson. The survey, which polled medical insurers across various geographic regions, found cost trends are expected to be as high as 14.2 per cent in Latin America, followed by 10.6 […]
The costs of employer-provided health plans in Canada are expected to rise seven per cent next year, outpacing general inflation by more than five per cent, according to a new report by Aon Canada. Contributing factors include higher drug prices, the impact of non-communicable health risks and the continued introduction of new and expensive therapies. Indeed, […]
On May 21, Benefits Canada hosted a webinar to explore the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on chronic disease in the workplace, as well as how virtual solutions can support employee health through this unprecedented time. All employers are currently facing the same concerns, said Marie-Josée Le Blanc, a partner at Mercer, during the webinar. Pointing to the 2019 […]