Group benefits plan sponsors, take note: your plan members may be underestimating their heart health risks. A study comparing data from a Desjardins Insurance survey and statistics collected by the Heart and Stroke Foundation indicates that people generally evaluate their health positively when responding to non-specific questions about their lifestyle, but responses to more specific […]
Supporting an employee who is struggling with a substance addiction can be a huge challenge for many employers, and it is a challenge that’s not going away. Statistics Canada reports that one in 10 Canadians report symptoms consistent with substance dependency. The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse reports that substance abuse and addictions cost the Canadian economy $24.3 billion dollars in lost productivity.
Drug plan cost increases have levelled in recent years due to a large number of high-volume medications becoming available in a generic form and provincial drug reform driving down the price of generic drugs. At the same time, some insurance carriers have automatically implemented mandatory generic substitution policies on the majority of their plans (giving plan sponsors the option to opt out if they choose).
A recent poll indicates that weight loss tops the list of employees’ health concerns.
As Canadian organizations struggle to support employees who experience mental health issues, Canadian pharmacists are taking a more active role in mental health matters.
Fewer disability claims and a speedy return-to-work schedule for employees who are getting help with mental health issues—employers want these to be a reality. But how do they make it so? While there’s no shortage of resources available to employers on how to create a workplace that is healthy for mind and body, the problem—despite good intentions—lies in actually taking action.
Cutbacks and cost-sharing have typically been the first response to increase healthcare costs. But in 2012, some plan sponsors started to think differently and put a focus on prevention and wellness.
Does your extended medical coverage include vaccines? If you’re unsure, you’re not alone.
One in three Canadians living with arthritis have had to quit working as a result of their condition, according to The Arthritis Society’s Fit for Work study.
Novus Health has launched its integrative health risk assessment (iHRA) product. According to Novus Health, the tool is optimized for strategic wellness planning in the workplace and gives companies, insurers and other wellness providers more control over their HRA programming.