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- [pdf] Equitable HealthConnector
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October 2019 Advisor eNews
Coverage of Remicade, Enbrel and Lantus in BC
As we announced in August, BC PharmaCare recently introduced a new Biosimilars Initiative that ends coverage of three biologic drugs, including Remicade, Enbrel, and Lantus. These drugs will no longer be eligible in British Columbia for most conditions for which lower-cost biosimilar versions are available. Patients in the province with these conditions will be required to switch to biosimilar versions of these drugs by Nov. 25, 2019 in order to maintain their coverage under BC PharmaCare. Patients taking Remicade for Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis will not be required to switch to a biosimilar until March 6, 2020.
Biologics are drugs that are engineered using living organisms, such as yeast and bacteria. Biosimilars are highly similar to the originator drugs they are based on and most have been shown to have no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy.
To ensure this provincial change doesn’t result in your clients’ plans paying additional drug costs, we have aligned our drug eligibility for these three biologic drugs with that of BC PharmaCare.
As previously announced, effective Nov. 25, 2019, Remicade and Enbrel will no longer be eligible for BC plan members with conditions for which lower-cost biosimilar versions of the drugs are available. These plan members will be required to switch to the biosimilar versions of these drugs in order to maintain eligibility on the Equitable Life drug plan. We have communicated with Plan Administrators about this change, and we have informed affected claimants of the need to switch medications.
As well, effective Feb. 3, 2020, the drug ingredient cost for Lantus will no longer be eligible for BC plan members; only the dispensing fee may be eligible under their Equitable Life plan. Plan members taking Lantus will be required to switch to Basaglar, the lower-cost biosimilar version of the drug, in order to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan. We will be communicating with Lantus claimants in the coming weeks to allow them ample time to change their prescription and avoid any interruptions in their treatment or their coverage.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.De-listed service providers
As part of our ongoing initiative to have Group Benefits plans only reimburse eligible claims, we conduct reviews of the billing and administrative practices of service providers, including clinics, facilities and medical suppliers.As a result of these reviews we may de-list certain providers. We will no longer accept, or process claims for services and/or supplies obtained from those providers. The plan member can still choose to obtain services or supplies from these providers, but Equitable Life will not provide reimbursement for the claims.
Review Equitable Life’s de-listed service providers
The delisted service provider list is also posted on EquitableHealth.ca for plan members to review to determine if their claim(s) are eligible for reimbursement under their Group Benefits plan.
For more information about protecting group benefits plans from abuse, check out our articles.
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This year’s Registered Retirement Savings Plan deadline is March 3, 2025.
Have you talked to clients about their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions yet? Equitable® offers RRSP products to meet clients’ needs including:
• Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account
• Pivotal Select™ Segregated Funds
• Investment Class (75/75)
• Estate Class (75/100)
• Protection Class (100/100)
These products offer protection and flexibility that clients need, with the tax savings and benefits of a RRSP. Encourage clients to contribute to their RRSP early. And make RRSP contributions a financial priority each year!
What’s new
The Home Buyer’s Plan is offering temporary repayment relief for qualifying withdrawals from their RRSP. This means that clients can defer the start of the repayment period by an additional three years when they make a first qualifying withdrawal between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2025. This means the 15-year repayment period would start in the fifth year after the year in which a first withdrawal was made. For example, if you made your first qualifying withdrawal in 2022, your first year of repayment will be 2027.1
Tools and materials to help you start the conversation
Often clients have good intentions about saving for retirement. However, even the best intentions need an action plan. As a trusted advisor, you can help clients see the value in making a RRSP a financial priority. We have tools and marketing materials to help you start the conversation. Show clients why an Equitable RRSP can help them to achieve their financial goals in retirement.
Equitable’s advisor toolbox, available on EquiNet®, includes Product News, Prospecting Letters, Forms, Marketing Materials, Case Studies, Articles and Investment Calculators.
1 www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans/what-home-buyers-plan/repay-funds-withdrawn-rrsp-s-under-home-buyers-plan.html
® or ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
Posted February 7, 2025
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International Women’s Day
Reflecting on inclusion in our industry
International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to pause and think about how we support the women clients we serve. In wealth management, inclusion is not just a theme for one day a year — it plays a critical role in building stronger relationships and long‑term business growth.
Our recent Master Class – From Insight to Inclusion: Engaging Women Investors with Confidence –reinforced this.The 60-minute session, featuring Susan Silma, Client Experience Transformation Leader and industry speaker and columnist, looked at why many women still feel under‑served in our industry and what advisors can do to create a more engaging and supportive experience.
Here are a few key takeaways from the conversation:• Inclusion strengthens your practice. When women feel heard and understood, trust grows —and so does loyalty.• Start with better conversations. Susan shared ways to turn research and insights into everyday discussions that feel relevant and meaningful to women.• Consistency builds confidence. A clear, repeatable process for prospecting, onboarding and reviewing plans with women clients helps ensure they feel included from day one.
Did you know: 82% of advisors who attended the live Master Class identified the need to add more women clients to their business.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is a good reminder that creating a space where women feel comfortable, informed and valued benefits everyone — and positions your practice for long‑term success.
If you missed the session — or would like to revisit the ideas — the Master Class recording is now available on demand. On behalf of everyone at Equitable, Happy International Women’s Day, Canada!
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Date posted: Thursday, March 5, 2026 - [pdf] Pivotal Select Application - Registered/Non-Registered
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Digital tools for your clients and their plan members
In this issue:
- Digital tools for your clients and their plan members*
- QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2024*
Digital tools for your clients and their plan members*
Do your clients know how to use all the available digital tools in their Equitable® benefits plans? With useful features for both plan administrators and their members, it’s even easier for your clients to access their plans online.Tools for plan administrators
- Our online plan member enrolment tool lets groups and administrators add new plan members online without completing paper forms
- The EquitableHealth.ca plan administrator portal makes it easy for plan administrators to manage their plan anytime and anywhere. Helpful features include:
- A premium calculator to calculate monthly costs for plan members
- A simple process for updating plan member information
- Digital welcome kits provide personalized information directly to plan members through email
- Easy, automated payment options help plan administrators avoid missed payments by offering pre-authorized debit or electronic funds transfer
Tools for plan members
- Our plan member portal at EquitableHealth.ca provides secure, 24/7 access to claims history and coverage details. It also lets members submit claims, and includes health and wellness resources
- Electronic notifications and claims payments give plan members claim updates via email and deposit payments directly into their bank account
- The Equitable EZClaim® mobile app lets plan members submit claims quickly and securely on-the-go from their mobile device
- Digital benefits cards give plan members the convenience to access their benefits cards easily from a mobile device
Help with digital benefits tools
We’ve created a brochure and video guide to help plan members use digital tools for a smoother, more convenient benefits experience.
Plan members can contact us at 1.800.265.4556 and select the option for Web Support if they need further assistance.
QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2024*
Every year, the Quebec Drug Insurance Pooling Corporation (QDIPC) reviews the terms and conditions for the high-cost pooling system in the province.
Based on its latest review, QDIPC is revising its pooling levels and fees for 2024 to reflect trends in the volume of claims submitted to the pool, particularly catastrophic claims. These updates take effect January 1, 2024. You can view the updates here.
We will apply the new pooling levels and fees to future renewal calculations that involve Quebec plan members.
If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Account Executive.
- [pdf] S&R Quick Reference Guide
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Meghan Vallis named head of distribution for myFlex Benefits and other group benefits updates
Meghan Vallis named head of distribution for myFlex Benefits
We are pleased to announce that Meghan Vallis, our Group Sales Vice President for Western Canada, will head national distribution for myFlex Benefits in addition to her existing responsibilities.
As part of her expanded role, Meghan will lead the myFlex Benefits sales team and develop and implement strategies to achieve the growth of this offering. Meghan and the myFlex team will continue to focus on delivering market leading services for our clients and advisors.
Meghan joined Equitable Life in 2020 and brings more than 15 years of experience in the group benefits industry to her expanded role. She is passionate about helping Advisors succeed to transform their clients' employee benefit experience.
myFlex Benefits is one of the most unique and versatile benefits solutions for small businesses in Canada. It is fully pooled, includes a two-year renewal and features a user-friendly portal for plan members to make their benefit selections. And it’s simple to use: Plan sponsors set a budget and choose from a selection of benefit options. Plan members then use flex dollars to select from the options offered by their employer. Any leftover flex dollars are saved in a health care spending account (HCSA).
If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about myFlex Benefits, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.Changes to Short Term Disability (STD) benefit calculations for 2023*
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission and Canada Revenue Agency have announced the 2023 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings and premiums for employment insurance.
The following changes to Employment Insurance (EI) will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2023:
How does this affect your clients?
Your clients’ STD benefit will be revised with the updated maximums based on the percentage of EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings shown in their policy if:- Their Equitable Life Group Policy includes an STD benefit that is tied to the EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings, and
- At least one classification of employees has a maximum of less than $650.
If their STD maximum is currently higher than $650 or based on a flat amount instead of a percentage or regular earnings, no change will be made to their plan unless otherwise directed.
If your clients wish to provide direction regarding revising their STD maximum, or if they have questions about the process, they can email Kari Gough, Manager, Group Issue and Special Projects.Coming soon: Survey for Plan Administrators with recent disability claims*
We’ve enhanced our communication processes to help your clients with disability plans manage their workplace absences more effectively. In early December, we will distribute a short survey to plan administrators who may have submitted an approved disability claim in the past six months. The survey will ask recipients about their satisfaction with the frequency and detail of our disability management communications.
The email will come from GBClientFeedback@equitable.ca, and the survey will remain open until the end of the day on December 16, 2022. All responses will be confidential. We plan to use the feedback to help ensure that we’re meeting your clients’ expectations and delivering industry-leading service.
We may also follow up with survey respondents directly, to address any concerns they’ve identified.
* Indicates content that will be shared with your clients. - [pdf] GIA versus GIC
- [pdf] Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account Application - Registered/Non-Registered