disability claims – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Tue, 07 May 2024 20:25:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 Employers can support workers’ mental health with digital toolkits, adequate coverage: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-wellness/employers-can-support-workers-mental-health-with-digital-toolkits-adequate-coverage-expert/ Mon, 06 May 2024 13:00:48 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=155164 This Mental Health Week and beyond, employers can support employee mental health using digital toolkits, mental-health coaching and by providing adequate coverage, says Marie-Chantal Côtè, senior vice-president of group benefits at Sun Life Financial Inc. Mental-health practitioner claims more than doubled between 2019 and 2023, according to a recent report by Sun Life that examined claims […]

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]]> How the WSIB is supporting employee well-being with enhanced, unlimited mental-health coverage https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/how-the-wsib-is-supporting-employee-well-being-with-enhanced-unlimited-mental-health-coverage/ Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:58:11 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154146 While the coronavirus pandemic may be in the rearview mirror for most employers, the Ontario-based Workplace Safety and Insurance Board knows all too well that the shadow pandemic that emerged from the health crisis is still impacting employees in the workplace. At a time when some employers are considering cutting back on mental-health benefits, the […]

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]]> Court of Appeal upholds $1.5 million punitive damages award in LTD claims case https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/benefits-law/court-of-appeal-upholds-1-5-million-punitive-damages-award-in-ltd-claims-case/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:00:43 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151475 The Ontario Court of Appeal’s affirmation of a $1.5 million punitive damages award — reportedly the largest award of its kind in a Canadian long-term disability case — may signal greater exposure for employers and insurers that fail in their duty to treat such claims in good faith. “The court had no problem with the […]

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]]> 2023 Healthy Outcomes Conference: A closer look at the mental, physical, financial risk factors facing plan members https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/2023-healthy-outcomes-conference-a-closer-look-at-the-mental-physical-financial-risk-factors-facing-plan-members/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:58:32 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=147110 Many plan members are experiencing risk factors related to poor mental, physical and financial well-being, but often don’t know they can turn to their benefits plans for help. Indeed, when Canada Life’s disability claims report asked plan members going on disability whether they sought out counselling through their benefits plans, more than half said they […]

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]]> 2023 Healthy Outcomes Conference: Panel: Taking a proactive approach to absence and disability management https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/2023-healthy-outcomes-conference-panel-taking-a-proactive-approach-to-absence-and-disability-management/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:53:25 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=147137 Long before the coronavirus pandemic upended the workplace and impacted absence and disability management, employers have been rethinking these programs by taking a proactive approach. Lululemon Athletica Inc.’s accommodations program supports employee financial well-being and building employer trust by allowing employees to continue working as much as possible, said Jared Fu (pictured right), the apparel […]

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]]> How are pandemic reverberations affecting disability management programs, workplace accommodations? https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/how-are-pandemic-reverberations-affecting-disability-management-programs-workplace-accommodations/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 13:54:28 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=146677 About a year before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Algonquin College updated its disability management program. The timing set the Ottawa-based college up for success when the crisis hit, says Jessica Myers, its acting manager of wellness and abilities, allowing her team to focus on proactive supports, knowing case management was well in hand. […]

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]]> A closer look at how chronic conditions are impacting benefits plans https://www.benefitscanada.com/archives_/benefits-canada-archive/a-closer-look-at-how-chronic-conditions-are-impacting-benefits-plans/ Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:56:25 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=145031 In 2022, some of the top chronic conditions affecting group benefits plans were diabetes, obesity, depression and arthritis. Diabetes was the No. 1 ranked condition for drug claims in 2022, knocking rheumatoid arthritis down to the No. 2 spot, according to Telus Health’s annual drug plan trends report. And the 2023 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey […]

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]]> Are insurers updating their benefits policies to include the evolving role of NPs? https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/are-insurers-updating-their-benefits-policies-to-include-the-evolving-role-of-nps/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:00:11 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=142386 Last year, a benefits plan member in British Columbia was shocked when his insurance provider rejected an orthotics claim because the prescriber was a nurse practitioner rather than a “physician.” In the story, reported by the Victoria, B.C.-based Times Colonist, the chief executive officer of Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of B.C. said it wasn’t the […]

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]]> U.S. workplace disability insurance premiums reach $1.7BN in Q1 2023: report https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/u-s-workplace-disability-insurance-premiums-reach-1-7bn-in-q1-2023-report/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 19:00:44 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=140863 Total U.S. sales of workplace disability insurance premiums reached $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2023 — a year-over-year increase of five per cent — driven by a 17 per cent increase in short-term disability insurance sales, according to a new report by LIMRA. It also found sales of long-term disability insurance premiums were down five […]

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]]> Ontario court overturns $249K judgment against employer that denied worker LTD benefits https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/benefits-law/ontario-court-overturns-249k-judgment-against-employer-that-denied-worker-ltd-benefits/ Thu, 25 May 2023 13:00:44 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=138711 The Ontario Court of Appeal has overturned a $248,931 judgment against an employer that denied long-term disability benefits to an employee, citing the trial judge’s misinterpretation of eligibility requirements. “The employee’s position was that he was on temporary medical leave, but he had been working until the day he left and the medical evidence clearly […]

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