Canadian life and health insurers processed nearly $600 million in claims related to mental health in 2021, up 45 per cent since 2020 and 75 per cent since 2019, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. “2021 was a year of recovery and insurers have been proud partners helping employers […]
Canadian employers looking to redesign their benefits plans are in a holding pattern until they hear more details on the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party’s joint proposed national dental-care and pharmacare programs. Last week, the two parties announced plans to form an alliance until 2025 in order to deliver these programs […]
The proposed amendments to the patented medicines regulations by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board could have a big impact on both the group insurance and pharmaceutical industry. “The CLHIA is very supportive of PMPRB adjustments that may be coming,” said Joan Weir, director of health and disability policy at the Canadian Life and Health […]
Canadian insurers paid out more than $97 billion in benefits from life and health insurance products in 2020, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. The period, which included the first nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, included $420 million paid out for psychology-related claims to support mental health, up 24 […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is calling on the federal government to permit standalone variable payment life annuities to pool participants from all registered retirement plans. In its 2022 federal budget submission, the CLHIA said VPLAs, as enacted, will only be available to members of very large defined contribution pension plans, excluding Canadians […]
The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities is developing a framework for defined contribution pension plans to offer variable payment life annuities. In developing the framework, the CAPSA said it will address topics such as plan design and conversion options, as well as member disclosure, spousal consent, plan termination, investment rules and regulatory oversight for […]
While employees are being more open about their gender identities — whether they identify as gender fluid, intersex, non-binary, transgender or two-spirit — at work these days, there’s still progress to be made when it comes to benefits language, systems, plans and rate tables, says Chantelle Tadman, manager of benefits, savings plans and wellness at […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has elected Michael Doughty, president and chief executive officer of Manulife Canada, as its chair. Doughty will take over the role from Jean-François Chalifoux, the president and chief executive officer of Beneva Inc., who was appointed chair in December 2020 and who’ll remain on the board as a past […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is opening a government-affairs office serving Western Canada. The Calgary-based office will support the CLHIA’s members operating in the west and work with provincial and territorial governments and other regional stakeholders, according to a press release. The office is the association’s first permanent operation west of Toronto and will […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is calling on the federal government to provide Canadians with access to more-secure retirement income. In its submission to the 2021 federal budget, the CLHIA recommended that Canadians in and approaching retirement have access to flexible annuity options within registered pensions, registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income […]