Weight management medications emerged as the fastest growing drug category in 2024, with claims for these drugs surging by 90.6 per cent since 2023, according to Telus Health’s annual drug report. The report, which is based on claims data from more than 15 million plan members in 2024, found the increase in claims was driven […]
While many benefits plan sponsors have traditionally considered moving their plan from an insured arrangement to an administrative-services only model upon reaching a certain threshold of employees, several external factors have impacted this decision in recent years. Todd Stephen, vice-president of employee benefits and pensions at Selectpath Benefits & Financial Inc., says these factors — […]
An article on how employers can prepare their benefits plans amid U.S. tariffs was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Expert panel: How employers can prepare their benefits plans, support employees amid U.S. tariff threat 2. […]
Manitoba has become the first province to officially join Ottawa’s pharmacare program, giving it access to federal funding to cover the cost of birth control and diabetes medications as well as hormone replacement therapy for menopause. “This is the beginning of a journey that cannot end,” said Health Minister Mark Holland. “There’s no room for […]
An article on the Benefits Alliance’s 2025 priorities was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Pharmacare, access to virtual health care among priorities for Benefits Alliance in 2025 2. Costco defends its diversity policies as other U.S. companies […]
Advocacy on the federal government’s pharmacare program will continue to be a core focus for the Benefits Alliance in 2025, says Carolyne Eagan, the association’s president. As each province is determining how or whether they’ll accept the government-sponsored program, she says the association plans to continue its grassroots campaign to engage with Canadian plan sponsors […]
Private drug plans play a pivotal role in ensuring faster and broader access to medications for 27 million Canadians, said Joe Farago, executive director of private payers and investment at Innovative Medicines Canada, during Benefits Canada’s 2024 Face to Face Drug Plan Management Forum. The federal government’s new pharmacare plan is designed as a universal, […]
The previous year was an interesting one in the world of employee benefits plans. Over the previous 12 months, employers have navigated the explosion of claims for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, some forward momentum on national pharmacare and some employers changed their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Here are five […]
In 2025, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association hopes to see continued support for virtual health care and innovation, says Stephen Frank, the association’s president and chief executive officer. According to the CLHIA, at least 10 million Canadians are covered for virtual care through their employer plan and roughly half a million visit their […]
An article on how a national drug pooling program would impact employer-sponsored benefits plans was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. How would a national drug pooling program impact employer-sponsored benefits plans? 2. Leadership changes at the AIMCo […]