An article on how global pension funds compare in terms of transparency was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Five Canadian pension funds receive top scores for transparency: benchmark 2. How plan sponsors, insurers are considering coverage of weight-loss drugs amid rising use […]
The annual Benefits & Pension Summit, which was hosted virtually on June 1, is the only Benefits Canada event that brings together health benefits and capital accumulation plans in one event. This year, delegates heard the results of Benefits Canada‘s exclusive CAP Member Survey with a panel of experts discussing the findings, case studies from two leading […]
Three main drug categories — diabetes, asthma and stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — accounted for rising drug claims in 2022, according to Lavina Viegas, Telus Health’s director of client account management, speaking during Benefits Canada‘s 2023 Benefits & Pension Summit in June. Referring to Telus Health’s 2023 drug plan trends report, she said […]
With Yukon implementing a transitioning policy on April 3 to expand the use of biosimilar medicines in its public drug plan, it’s important for benefits plan sponsors that create a similar policy for their workplace plans to be clear in their communication and education with employees. “It’s never easy to switch a medication, especially when […]
Three years ago this month, the world was grappling with the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Even then, with very little information available, people were beginning to turn their attention to the anticipated long-term ramifications of the public health crisis. With everyone experiencing this once-in-a-century moment simultaneously, no one had a response for how […]
As the coronavirus pandemic enters its fourth year, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the health crisis has taken its toll on employee mental health. Scotiabank saw a notable rise in claims for mental-health drugs in 2022, says Ayman Alvi, the bank’s vice-president of global pension and benefits, noting the increased use of these medications aligns with […]
An article on how employers can close the pension gap among BIPOC employees was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Employers can leverage choice, education to help close pension gap among BIPOC workers 2. Ontario biosimilars policy could cut drug costs for plan […]
Changes to Ontario’s policy on the use of biosimilars in its public drug plan could result in savings for private benefits plans if they choose to follow the provincial model, says Theresa Tran, a principal in group benefits at Eckler Ltd. Starting March 31, Ontario Drug Benefit recipients who are on an originator biologic will […]
Running for more than 17 years, Benefits Canada‘s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum is the industry’s most popular drug benefits conference. In 2022, the event returned to a face-to-face format at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto on Dec. 6. Attendees learned about fresh drug plan design insights, including a new drug launch panel […]
Plan sponsors face challenges balancing benefits plan sustainability while also ensuring their plan members have access to the care they need, said Marie-Hélène Dugal, manager of pharmacy benefit strategy at Medavie Blue Cross, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2022 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in Toronto in December. Referring to Medavie’s claims data, […]