diabetes – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Fri, 03 May 2024 21:03:19 +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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]]> What plan sponsors should know ahead of rollout of new obesity drugs in Canada https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/what-plan-sponsors-should-know-ahead-of-rollout-of-new-obesity-drugs-in-canada/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:03 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153707 A new generation of glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs approved for the treatment of obesity will soon be available in Canada, presenting an opportunity for plan sponsors to meet members’ health and wellness needs. It’s important for employers to consider meeting with their insurer now to find out how the rollout of these drugs will affect their […]

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]]> Webinar coverage: Exploring the role of pharmacists in diagnosing, managing diabetes https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/webinar-coverage-exploring-the-role-of-pharmacists-in-diagnosing-managing-diabetes/ Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:00:53 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151575 Amid an increase in diabetes diagnoses among Canadians, pharmacists can play a greater role in employers’ and private payers’ chronic disease prevention and management strategies given their increasing scope of practice, said representatives for Health Solutions by Shoppers, during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada and sponsored by Health Solutions by Shoppers in January. As […]

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]]> Innovative drugs helping plan members manage chronic conditions https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/innovative-drugs-helping-plan-members-manage-chronic-conditions/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:59:56 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150359 Many plan members with diabetes struggle with adherence to daily insulin injections and research has found the majority of patients wish they could achieve the same control over their condition with fewer injections, said Jacob Bonafiglia, medical science liaison with Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., during a panel discussion sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim Canada, Merck Canada Inc. […]

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]]> How preferred pharmacy networks can lower drug plan costs, boost access to care https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/how-preferred-pharmacy-networks-can-lower-drug-plan-costs-boost-access-to-care/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:58:55 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150509 Pharmacists are now uniquely positioned to support Canadians at a time when the public health-care system is stretched thin, creating significant barriers for people looking to access care, said Dr. Jennifer Poh, senior director of drug plan solutions at Health Solutions by Shoppers, during Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in […]

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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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]]> My Take: Obesity should be treated like other chronic conditions under benefits plans https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/my-take-obesity-should-be-treated-like-other-chronic-conditions-under-benefits-plans/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:00:46 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=149385 As someone who has become increasingly overweight in the last few years, every time I read or write about obesity being referred to as a ‘lifestyle condition’ it makes me physically cringe. Yes, some poor diet choices have contributed to my current physical condition, but it’s much more complex than that. And I know others […]

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]]> Webinar coverage: Obesity a complex, misunderstood medical condition https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-wellness/webinar-coverage-obesity-a-complex-misunderstood-medical-condition/ Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:00:39 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=148712 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 […]

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]]> Average cost of U.S. health benefits per employee rose 5.2% in 2023: survey https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/average-cost-of-u-s-health-benefits-per-employee-rose-5-2-in-2023-survey/ Wed, 29 Nov 2023 14:00:32 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=147872 The average per-employee cost of U.S. employer-sponsored health benefits has risen by 5.2 per cent in 2023 to reach US$15,797, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 1,900 U.S. employers, found cost increases were highest for employers with 50 to 499 employees (7.8 per cent on average) and these […]

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