Mental health and musculoskeletal problems are currently two of the main drivers of disability claims and it isn’t uncommon for plan members with a mental-health diagnosis to also have a secondary physical condition or vice-versa, said Rebecca Smith, director of group life and disability services at Medavie Blue Cross, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Mental Health […]
By creating a psychologically safe workplace in which employees can feel free to be their authentic selves, employers can encourage increased communication and collaboration, said Paola Ardiles Gamboa, a senior lecturer who served as special projects advisor to the vice-president of people, equity and inclusion at Simon Fraser University, during a session at Benefits Canada’s […]
There has seen a “huge increase” in mental-health practitioner claims following the coronavirus pandemic, said Sylvana Leclerc, organizational health consultant for integrated health solutions at Sun Life Financial Inc., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. Citing findings from the insurer’s annual Health by Design report, she said in 2022, […]
With obesity now understood to be a chronic health condition, it’s time for plan sponsors to revisit their approach to weight loss medications, said Philippe Laplante, principal for pension and benefits at Eckler Ltd., during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May. The conversation about extending coverage to new, high-cost anti-obesity […]
During a panel discussion at Benefits Canada’s 2024 Vancouver Benefits Summit in May, three experts discussed the role of virtual management platforms in helping Canadians with diabetes manage their condition. According to Diabetes Canada, roughly 12 million Canadians live with type 1, type 2 or prediabetes. Roughly a quarter of Canadians don’t have access to […]
An article on the benefits of tailoring an individual’s work schedule around their circadian rhythm and optimum times of productivity 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 ‘Chronoworking’ is helping boost employee productivity, recruitment 2. FSRA releases final […]
Mental-health claims by Canadians have increased by 132 per cent since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report by GreenShield. The report, which compiled data from the insurer’s claims database between 2020 to 2023, found women and younger generations account for the majority of mental-health services accessed. Among those accessing mental-health services, stress […]
An article detailing a stark increase in the use of obesity medications among Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plan members was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. Claims for obesity drugs increased 42% in 2023, 92% since 2020: report 2. How […]
Nine in 10 (92 per cent) U.S. employees say they need additional financial resources in their employer-sponsored benefits plan, up from 79 per cent in 2022, according to a new survey by BCHR Holdings and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The survey, which polled more than 250 employers and roughly 700 employees, found one in […]
While the concept behind the federal government’s universal pharmacare plan is well intentioned, the program would make a larger impact for employers by focusing on high-cost and specialty drugs, says Pam Martin, vice-president and senior consultant at Baynes & White Inc. In theory, the way that the government is rolling out the program in small […]