In response to proposed amendments to a regulation under Ontario’s Health Insurance Act, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is suggesting employers providing group travel insurance may start paying more for these products. The proposed change, set for Oct. 1, 2019, will result in no provincial coverage for medical emergencies that occur out of the country. In […]
Digital health startups Maple and Dot Health are partnering to deliver a platform with more accessible virtual health care for Canadian benefits plan members and individuals. Maple, which connects users virtually with health-care professionals, works with employers to build custom telemedicine benefits packages that suit their plan members’ needs. Dot Health allows users to gain access to […]
Health Solutions by Shoppers Drug Mart is launching a health coaching program for plan sponsors to include in their benefits plans. Aimed at employees with chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, heart disease and obesity, the coaching program will connect plan members with nurses, pharmacists or dietitians through phone or video chat. These specialists will help create […]
Since recreational cannabis was legalized across Canada six months ago, related workplace problems have mainly been notable by their absence. “It’s been a surprising lack of significant issues arising in the workplace,” said Angelo Tsebelis, president at Starseed Medicinal Inc., during a panel at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Benefits and Pension Summit in Toronto on Wednesday. This […]
Following the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s decision in a landmark age discrimination case last year, former high school teacher Steve Talos has reached a settlement with the Grand Erie District School Board. Though Ontario abolished mandatory retirement in 2006, it still allowed employers to terminate benefits plans for workers age 65 and over. In […]
LifeScan Inc. is launching a mobile app for benefits plan members living with diabetes. Diabetes, which is a growing health concern for Canadians, ranks second in drug spending by employer-sponsored health plans. The app, which is licensed by Health Canada, works by transmitting blood glucose data from a compatible monitoring system to the app using Bluetooth. […]
Though I don’t consider myself particularly tech-savvy, I use my smartphone and laptop in every avenue of my life. I communicate via email, text, social media and FaceTime. I shop online with the click of a mouse. I arrange travel through my smartphone, whether ordering a car or booking and boarding a flight. I use […]
While some say a single-payer system would mean reduced drug prices and expenditures, others argue it could have unintended consequences, particularly for private plan sponsors. Marc-André Gagnon, associate professor at Carleton University’s school of public policy and administration: Canada’s drug coverage is a patchwork without coherence or purpose. Some think more patches can solve the […]
Express Scripts Canada is appointing Michael Roszak as chief operating officer. Roszak will oversee operations, customer services, marketing, sales and clinical services. Since 2008, he was vice-president of business development for the public sector at Telus Health. “Mike is the right person to lead ESC’s operations into the future,” said Dr. Dorian Lo, president for Express Scripts Canada, in a […]
Multinational virtual care provider Teladoc Inc. is launching a telemedicine service in Canada. Employers and insurers can purchase the service, which will connect plan members with a licensed doctor in either English or French any time of the day, over the phone or on a mobile app. “We’re proud to be helping Canadians get the […]