drug plans – Benefits Canada.com https://www.benefitscanada.com Canada's most influential pension and benefits publication for decision-makers Tue, 07 May 2024 20:29:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8 More private payers seeking to reduce costs turning to preferred pharmacy networks: expert https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/more-private-payers-seeking-to-reduce-costs-turning-to-preferred-pharmacy-networks-expert/ Wed, 01 May 2024 13:00:24 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154972 As more insurers turn to preferred pharmacy networks to decrease costs, their efforts are being met with some resistance by plan members who may be finding it difficult and inconvenient to switch pharmacy providers. In January, Manulife Financial Corp.’s move to a preferred pharmacy network with Loblaw Cos. Ltd.’s Shoppers Drug Mart was met with […]

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]]> 2024 Workplace Benefits Awards now open for entries https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/2024-workplace-benefits-awards-opens-for-entries/ Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:00:38 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=154915 Is your organization leading the way in transforming policies and programs to meet the evolving needs of employees? Are you stepping up your financial wellness initiatives to help employees through today’s difficult economic reality? Are you going the extra mile to support your employees’ mental health or implementing an award-worthy diversity, equity and inclusion strategy? […]

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]]> 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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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-78/ Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:00:29 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=153962 An article on considerations for plan sponsors ahead of the rollout of a new generation of obesity drugs was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the past week: 1. What plan sponsors should know ahead of rollout of new obesity drugs in Canada 2. What’s […]

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]]> 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 […]

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]]> Stakeholders forming coalition to minimize impact of pharmacare on employer-sponsored benefits plans https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/stakeholders-forming-coalition-to-minimize-impact-of-pharmacare-on-employer-sponsored-benefits-plans/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:00:18 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=152380 Several stakeholders from the benefits sector are partnering to form the Smart Health Benefits Coalition, an advocacy group that aims to strengthen the health-care system and address longstanding gaps in care. The federal government will release the framework for its pharmacare program on March 1 and the coalition — comprised of representatives from Gallagher, Benefits Alliance, GroupHEALTH, Hub International Ltd., […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pensions and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pensions-and-investment-stories-of-the-week/ Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:00:22 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151793 An article on the Ontario Court of Appeal’s affirmation of a $1.5 million punitive damages award was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pensions and investment articles of the past week: 1. Court of Appeal upholds $1.5 million punitive damages award in LTD claims case 2. N.B. transferring 5 public […]

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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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]]> Competition minister raises concerns over Manulife, Loblaw pharmacy deal https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/competition-minister-raises-concerns-over-manulife-loblaw-pharmacy-deal/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 20:00:47 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151545 The federal minister in charge of promoting competition says he’s concerned about a deal between Manulife Financial Corp. and Loblaw Cos. Ltd. that restricts patients from filling prescriptions for specialty drugs at other pharmacies under their insurance plans. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Wednesday the government is reviewing the arrangement, which affects around 260 medications […]

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]]> Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/bencan/top-5-hr-benefits-pension-and-investment-stories-of-the-week-71/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:00:43 +0000 https://www.benefitscanada.com/?p=151473 An article on the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s priorities for the coming year was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week: 1. CLHIA focusing on improving pharmacare, rare disease drug coverage in 2024 2. Majority of Canadian employers expecting […]

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