health care – Benefits Canada.com

Competition minister raises concerns over Manulife, Loblaw pharmacy deal

lbailey — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 20:00:47 +0000

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 […]

The post Competition minister raises concerns over Manulife, Loblaw pharmacy deal appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Manulife, Loblaw deal to deliver specialty drugs sparks access, competition concerns

lbailey — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 14:00:44 +0000

Some pharmacare policy experts are raising concerns about competition and patient access to much-needed medication after Manulife Financial Corp. announced its coverage of certain prescription drugs will only apply at Loblaw Cos. Ltd. pharmacies. The new arrangement, details of which were shared with plan holders earlier this month, affects around 260 medications under the insurance […]

The post Manulife, Loblaw deal to deliver specialty drugs sparks access, competition concerns appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

2023 Healthy Outcomes Conference: How can plan sponsors support employees with menopause?

Jennifer Paterson — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:56:43 +0000

Since menopause often hits women at the peak of their careers and can have an impact on their workplace productivity, employers must re-evaluate their benefits plans and workplace policies to better support women through the transition. While the common age range for menopause is between 45 and 55, it can also happen before age 40, […]

The post 2023 Healthy Outcomes Conference: How can plan sponsors support employees with menopause? appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Q&A with Great Canadian Entertainment’s Mikkaela Fernandez

Sadie Janes — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:50:00 +0000

The gaming and entertainment company’s new manager of benefits, retirement and wellness discusses improving benefits communication, transferring total rewards skills and her favourite Peloton workouts. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: I’d like to develop an ongoing education and communications strategy to promote our current benefits programs and categorize […]

The post Q&A with Great Canadian Entertainment’s Mikkaela Fernandez appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

30% of insurers making changes to ensure diversity among medical providers: report

Sadie Janes — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 19:00:26 +0000

Nearly a third (30 per cent) of insurers are making changes to ensure there’s diversity among the medical providers within their networks, according to a new report by Mercer. The report found more than a quarter (27 per cent) of insurers said they’ve changed their eligibility access processes to make coverage more inclusive for LGBTQ2S+ […]

The post 30% of insurers making changes to ensure diversity among medical providers: report appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Survey finds cost of employer benefits in Canada set to rise 7% in 2022

mdunne — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:00:40 +0000

Employer-provided medical benefits costs in Canada will rise seven per cent in 2022, according to a new survey by Aon. The annual global medical trend rates survey found the expected increase for Canadian employer-sponsored medical plan costs is due to a combination of higher costs for dental care, paramedical expenses and prescription drugs. It was conducted […]

The post Survey finds cost of employer benefits in Canada set to rise 7% in 2022 appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Fertility benefits coverage is limited, outdated in Canada: report

mschmit — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 05:00:59 +0000

Only five per cent of Canadian employers provide coverage for both fertility drugs and related costs such as in-vitro fertilization procedures and testing, according to a new report commissioned by Conceivable Dreams and Fertility Matters Canada. It found more than 85 per cent of benefit plans that covered fertility-related issues had lifetime maximums in place […]

The post Fertility benefits coverage is limited, outdated in Canada: report appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Risk-factor management, glucose monitoring both key to controlling diabetes

mschmit — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:01:11 +0000

From a plan-manager perspective, eight per cent of plan members are living with diabetes, said Dr. Bruce Perkins, professor in the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto, during Benefits Canada’s Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum on Dec. 9, 2020. He said risk-factor management is necessary when it comes to […]

The post Risk-factor management, glucose monitoring both key to controlling diabetes appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Plan member’s adoption dream becoming reality thanks to benefits offering

mschmit — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:01:05 +0000

Mandy Kwasnica and her husband so desperately wanted to adopt they were ready to sink all of their money (and then some) into making their dream a reality. “Adoption is very, very expensive, but we knew in our hearts that this was the right move we were making,” recalls the manager of mortgage sales support at […]

The post Plan member’s adoption dream becoming reality thanks to benefits offering appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Pandemic accelerating virtual health care, focus on mental health

mschmit — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 11:00:56 +0000

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating several health care trends in 2021, including the growth of virtual care and a focus on mental and emotional well-being, according to the Business Group on Health. The Washington-headquartered organization predicts the rapid expansion and availability of virtual care in 2020 will likely lead to increased options, including weight management, […]

The post Pandemic accelerating virtual health care, focus on mental health appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.