drug plan management – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:02:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 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 […]

The post What plan sponsors should know ahead of rollout of new obesity drugs in Canada appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> A closer look at preferred pharmacy networks https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/what-plan-sponsors-members-should-know-about-preferred-pharmacy-networks/ Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:00:36 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=152127 While preferred pharmacy networks have been around for nearly a decade, most benefits plan members aren’t aware that these arrangements have become standard, says Suzanne Lepage, a private health plan strategist. Preferred provider networks are common arrangements that businesses across a variety of industries enter into to help deliver consistent value, quality and cost containment, said the Canadian Life […]

The post A closer look at preferred pharmacy networks appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> High-cost drug claims lead to 20-times greater cost per claim for small plan sponsors https://www.benefitscanada.com/events/conference-coverage/high-cost-drug-claims-lead-to-20-times-greater-cost-per-claim-for-small-plan-sponsors/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:00:24 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=150385 A recent survey by Innovative Medicines Canada found there are growing listing delays among Canada’s private drug plans, said Joe Farago, the organization’s executive director of private payers and investment, during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2023 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum in December. The survey noted private payer review times can take […]

The post High-cost drug claims lead to 20-times greater cost per claim for small plan sponsors appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> 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. […]

The post Innovative drugs helping plan members manage chronic conditions appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> 58% of global insurers anticipating health benefits cost increases over next 3 years: survey https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/58-of-global-insurers-anticipating-health-benefits-cost-increases-over-next-3-years-survey/ Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:00:08 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=148315 More than half (58 per cent) of global insurers say they anticipate higher health benefits costs over the next three years, with the average global cost trend projected to increase by 9.9 per cent in 2024, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 260 insurers representing 66 countries, found […]

The post 58% of global insurers anticipating health benefits cost increases over next 3 years: survey appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> 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 […]

The post Average cost of U.S. health benefits per employee rose 5.2% in 2023: survey appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> Survey finds a quarter of U.S. employers provide coverage of diabetes management drugs for weight loss https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/a-quarter-of-u-s-employers-providing-coverage-of-diabetes-management-drugs-for-weight-loss-survey/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:00:49 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=147372 While three-quarters (76 per cent) of U.S. employers say they provide coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs for diabetes management, about a quarter (27 per cent) provide coverage of these drugs for weight loss, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The survey, which polled more than 200 U.S. benefits […]

The post Survey finds a quarter of U.S. employers provide coverage of diabetes management drugs for weight loss appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> 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 […]

The post 2023 Healthy Outcomes Conference: A closer look at the mental, physical, financial risk factors facing plan members appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> Feds name advisory group for national strategy for drugs for rare diseases https://www.benefitscanada.com/notice/appointment-notice/feds-names-advisory-group-for-national-strategy-for-drugs-for-rare-diseases/ Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:00:31 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=146375 The federal government is appointing members to an implementation advisory group to support the launch of its national strategy for drugs for rare diseases. The members from Canada’s private payer community include: Stephen Frank, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association; Joanne Jung, Canadian pharmacy and clinical practice leader at […]

The post Feds name advisory group for national strategy for drugs for rare diseases appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]> Survey finds U.S. employers are targeting health-care costs, mental health for 2024 https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/survey-finds-u-s-employers-are-targeting-health-care-costs-mental-health-for-2024/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:00:55 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=145780 More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of U.S. employers say they’re focused on managing health-care plan costs, following a projected cost increase of 6.4 per cent in 2024, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled more than 450 U.S. employers, found 63 per cent said they’re focused on enhancing mental-health and […]

The post Survey finds U.S. employers are targeting health-care costs, mental health for 2024 appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

]]>