Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a musculoskeletal condition that affects about 1% of Canadians. If RA is not diagnosed early and treated properly, it can place a heavy financial burden on plan sponsors. RA is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the lining of the joints. It is a systemic disease, which means it […]
Manulife Financial Group Benefits has launched a suite of services to address the needs of employers dealing with incidences of workplace injury. Occupational Management Services will offer an integrated workplace injury and disability benefits program aimed at simplifying the processing and management of workers’ compensation claims, which totalled $11 billion across Canada in 2010. “Managing […]
Watch this video Migrating the HR claims process from a paper-based environment to an automated solution can help organizations streamline processes and increase efficiency. But organizations need solutions that work for their unique needs. Shirley Powell, manager, HR planning, systems and rewards, with Toronto Hydro Corp., says the organization is currently seeking a solution to […]
Employers may feel as if they’ve been working to de-stigmatize mental health in their workplace, but a new report from the Conference Board of Canada shows that employees are not feeling more confident about disclosing their issues or that their organization openly discusses mental health issues. Front-line reality The report, titled Building Mentally Healthy Workplaces: […]
A U.S. study released by Buck Consultants indicates that the use of third-party pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) has increased by 10% in the past two years (47% in 2009 to 57% in 2011). With 67% of respondents citing pharmaceutical pricing as “‘highly important ” more and more employers are using PBMs to process and pay […]
Every Canadian wants a little more money. But what if you were offered more money in lieu of your health benefits plan? According to the 2011 sanofi-aventis Healthcare Survey, 59% of group health benefits plan members in Canada would rather keep their benefits plan than receive $10,000 in cash. When the amount is doubled to […]
Changes to Canada’s drug patent system proposed by the European Union (EU) would wipe out savings from the Ontario government’s drug reforms, according to Jim Keon, president of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA). “The savings achieved for both public and private drug plans through the Ontario government’s 2010 reforms would be wiped out if […]
Watch this video Cyndy Nayer, president, CEO and co-founder of the Centre for Health Value Innovation, discusses the importance of creating a culture of wellness in the workplace. “It’s intrinsic for employers to take a leadership role in health and performance,” she says. And how those health initiatives are delivered is just as important. The […]
How can we preserve and protect the Canadian healthcare system for future generations? The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care with the Government of Ontario, outlined a three-point plan at an Economic Club of Canada breakfast this morning. 1. Make healthcare more locally driven and better integrated Matthews pointed to a Toronto […]
Canadians appear more confident about their ability to physically survive a critical illness, than survive its impact on their net worth. According to Desjardins Financial Security Health Survey, close to two-thirds of Canadians are confident they would survive a critical illness, while 67% say it would render them financially vulnerable and they would likely need […]