A new generation of ultra-high-cost therapies is reshaping benefits plan risk, while the arrival of generic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications is set to shift one of the largest drug categories, according to Telus Health’s annual drug report. The report found weight-management climbed six positions to rank No. 11 among all drug categories. The category […]
An article on an Ontario judges’ association’s lawsuit against their pension plan sponsor was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Ontario judges’ group sues pension plan sponsor to prevent investments in derivatives 2. Survey finds Canadians […]
Canadian benefits plan sponsors are anticipating an average medical trend rate of 8.3 per cent in 2026, up from 7.4 per cent in 2025, according to a new report by Aon. The report, which analyzed data from plan sponsors across 112 countries, found medical plan costs worldwide will rise by an average of 9.8 per […]
UAP Inc. is supporting employee financial well-being and retirement readiness with an enhanced retirement toolkit. The toolkit contains a range of information for employees approaching retirement, from financial preparation — including information on the company’s pension and budgeting tips — to the potential impact on mental health that can take place after exiting a full-time […]
As dermatological treatments move up the ranking of conditions with the highest paid drug claims, they’ve become increasingly significant for private drug plan sponsors, according to Frances Lehun, a pharmacist with pharmaceutical expertise in high-cost drug management at Beneva. During a session at the 2025 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum, she said this […]
Generation Z workers are facing greater mental-health difficulties and increasing rates of chronic disease compared to other age groups, according to a new report by Sun Life Financial Inc. The report, which drew data from more than 20,000 employers and more than three million plan members, found more than 50 per cent of gen-Zers’ long-term […]
Glioma, the most common malignant brain tumour in young adults under 50 is a devastating disease that often strikes people in their prime working years, said Samaneh Samami, senior medical science liaison at Servier, during Benefits Canada’s Drug Innovations Webinar: A spotlight on brain health. Diagnosis can turn a person’s life upside down, she noted, […]
In 2025, many organizations took steps to address an uncertain economy while responding to changing pressures. Looking ahead to 2026, there are some trends and areas of priority that might feel awfully familiar to those of previous years. However, they’re showing up in different ways than in the more recent past. Cost sustainability Many organizations […]
When a plan sponsor was seeing musculoskeletal issues come up in disability claims, it wanted to figure out if it could do more to support employees, according to Tamara Harduwar (pictured right), Manulife Canada’s director of health insights and outcomes for group benefits. During a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Healthy Outcomes Conference, she said […]
Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of benefits managers are reporting more pressure due to higher health-care costs now than at any point in the past 10 years, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 400 employers, found a third (34 per cent) believe it will be necessary to make […]