At just 32 per cent, plan sponsors continue to underestimate the presence of chronic conditions among their employees, according to the 2017 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. In fact, more than half (57 per cent) of plan members surveyed reported being diagnosed with at least one chronic disease or condition. That number increases to 72 per […]
The percentage of employees who agree their organization’s corporate culture encourages health and wellness has dropped in the past five years to 53 per in 2017 from 62 per cent in 2012, according to the 2017 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. Among employers, 64 per cent feel their corporate culture encourages wellness, although that’s still a […]
While more than half (54 per cent) of employees prefer flexible benefits plans, they find making choices to be a challenge, according to the 2017 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. When faced with choosing the type of flexible benefits they want, many employees become overwhelmed. They frequently select the option closest to their former traditional plan or may choose […]
Both plan sponsors and plan members are expressing an interest in personalized medicine that offers a targeted approach to prescribing based on patients’ genetic makeup, according to the 2017 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. These tests are becoming more accessible and more affordable, said Paula Allen, vice-president of research and integrative solutions at Morneau Shepell Ltd. […]
A year ago, the Association of Ontario Midwives Benefits Trust received its highest drug claim ever at $55,000 for a 12-week treatment of Harvoni, which treats hepatitis C. The plan deliberated whether it would fund the drug but it ultimately decided not to. “It was a very difficult decision,” says Nicole Mellin, executive director at […]
In 2016, the majority of adult Canadians (79 per cent) tried at least one form of complementary or alternative medicine, according to a new report from the Fraser Institute. The number was up from 74 per cent in 2006 and 73 per cent in 1997. The report pegged private spending at $8.8 billion in 2016, an increase from $8 […]
If Canadian pharmacists played a larger role in dispensing flu shots, reviewing cardiovascular disease medication and providing help with smoking cessation, the health-care system could save between $2.5 billion and $25.7 billion over the next 20 years, according to a study from the Conference Board of Canada. Co-sponsored by the Canadian Pharmacists Association and the Canadian Alliance […]
Innovation in the employee benefits world has historically happened in relatively small increments. Besides some subtle tweaks, plan design has changed very little. Recent enhancements to the employee experience include the implementation of online claims processing and various apps to communicate information more dynamically. Insurers have invested heavily in both their administration- and claims-paying systems to […]
While the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is welcoming the Alberta government’s plan to create a provincial dental fee guide, it’s calling on the province to do more to address the issue of escalating fees. “The industry remains concerned that without fundamental change, the cost of dental care will remain much higher in Alberta than any other jurisdiction […]
In 2014, there were approximately five new cancer diagnoses per 1,000 Canadians outside of Quebec, according to Statistics Canada. In total, there were more than 137,000 new diagnoses. The majority of newly diagnosed Canadians were aged 50 and older (87.8 per cent), compared to those between 25 and 49 (11 per cent) and those under […]