Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – May 2021

In this issue:

• Graduating dependents losing coverage?*  
• New Brunswick expands the use of biosimilars*
• Proposed changes to federal recovery and EI benefits*
• Removal of plan administrator access to update plan member banking*
• BioScript recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies*

*Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
 

Graduating dependents losing coverage?

Let plan members know about Coverage2go

As we reach the end of spring, some of your clients’ plan members may have dependents who are graduating from university or college and will no longer be eligible for coverage under the benefits plan.
 
Fortunately, we offer Coverage2go®. It allows individuals who are losing their group coverage to purchase personal month-to-month health and dental coverage that is affordable, reliable and works like their previous group benefits plan. They can choose the level of coverage and protection that suits their personal situation.

There are no medical questions – they simply need to apply within 60 days of losing their health coverage under their group benefits plan.*
 
Help your plan members and their dependents who are losing coverage by letting them know about Coverage2go. They can visit our website to learn more about Coverage2go and to get a quote.
 
*Quebec residents are not eligible for Coverage2go

New Brunswick expands the use of biosimilars

The New Brunswick government recently announced that it will be implementing a biosimilar transition program.
 
Patients using originator biologic drugs for diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and psoriasis, will have until November 30, 2021 to switch to the biosimilar version of their medications in order to maintain coverage under the province’s public drug plans. This process will be completed in consultation with the patients’ physicians.
 
Biosimilars are highly similar to the drugs they are based on and Health Canada considers them to be equally safe and effective for approved conditions.

Equitable Life^® actively monitors and investigates all biosimilar policy changes and the ongoing evolution of biosimilar drugs entering Canada.  We will keep you informed of any impact on private drug plans and how we are responding.

Proposed changes to federal recovery and EI benefits

In its recent 2021 budget, the federal government proposed a variety of changes to its benefit programs.

The proposed changes include providing up to 12 additional weeks of the Canada Recovery Benefit to a maximum of 50 weeks. The first 12 weeks of this benefit would be paid at $500 per week and the remaining eight weeks at $300 per week. 

Multiple changes have also been proposed to make Employment Insurance (EI) more accessible to Canadians. The changes include: maintaining uniform access to EI benefits across all regions, supporting multiple job holders and those who switch jobs by ensuring that all insurable hours and employment count towards their eligibility, and simplifying many rules around EI to ensure Canadians can receive benefits sooner. It has also been proposed that the regular EI benefits be extended to no later than November 20, 2021, if needed.

We are analyzing the impact these changes may have to disability benefits. We will provide more details later in the year. 

Removal of plan administrator access to update plan member banking

In early June, plan administrators will no longer be able to update banking information for their plan members on EquitableHealth.ca after their initial enrolment. This change has been made to allow plan members to have full control over where they want their claim payments deposited.

Plan members can update their banking information online through their plan member web portal or through the EZClaim mobile app. They will continue to be notified via email if and when they make any changes.

BioScript Solutions recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies

Congratulations to our partner, BioScript Solutions, for being recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies of 2021 by Deloitte.
 
We have partnered with BioScript since 2016 for our Specialty Drug Preferred Pharmacy Network (PPN). This partnership offers cost savings while providing comprehensive, best-in-class patient care.
 
BioScript is one of Canada’s leading specialty pharmacies and recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary.