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Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – November 2020
In this issue:
- Telemedicine now included in Travel Assist*
- Take advantage of our convenient digital options*
- 2021 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings, Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings and Short Term Disability Benefit*
*Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
Telemedicine now included in Travel Assist*
Medical emergencies can be particularly stressful while travelling. Making your way to a medical facility can be a struggle. And once you get there, you could face long wait times, language barriers or even the risk of COVID-19 infection.
That’s why Allianz Global Assistance®, our Travel Assist provider, is adding two new virtual care options to provide plan members with timely and appropriate medical support.
As always, when a travel medical emergency strikes, plan members call Allianz for assistance. During the intake process plan members will be guided through a series of questions to triage their unique medical situation. Options for care now include two different virtual care services:
- TeleConsultation – Video and chat consultation with a locally licensed physician. This physician can diagnose simple medical conditions and provide a prescription. Available across Canada and in some high travel states in the United States.
- TeleAdvice – Video and chat consultation for situations which are not likely to require a prescription. The physician can diagnose simple medical conditions and provide medical guidance.
Plan members who use virtual care may benefit from:
- Reduced wait times;
- Care from the comfort of their current location;
- Reduced language barriers;
- No need to arrange transportation to a medical facility;
- Reduced impact on travel itinerary; and
- Reduced risk of exposure.
Both TeleConsultation and TeleAdvice will be available for all Equitable Life plan members beginning January 1st, 2021. There is no additional cost, no changes required to your client’s plans, and no change to the way plan members contact Allianz in the event of a travel medical emergency.
This PDF plan member update will also be included in the eNews to plan administrators.
If you have any questions about these new features, please contact your Equitable Life Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
Allianz Global Assistance is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc. and AZGA Insurance Agency Canada Ltd.
Help your clients take advantage of our convenient digital options*
During this time of physical distancing, people are looking for ways to interact with their providers virtually. We recently enhanced our Online Plan Member Enrolment tool, allowing all groups to add new plan members without the need for paper forms.
Did you know, we have several other digital options available to make it easier for your clients to do business with us and for their plan members to access and use their benefits plan? Over 71% of plan administrators are managing their plan online and 78% of plan members are already using our digital tools.
For plan administrators:
- Plan Administrator Portal (EquitableHealth.ca) – plan administrators can easily manage their plan anytime and anywhere
- Digital Welcome Kits – personalized welcome kits are delivered to plan members via email
- Easy automated payments – plan administrators can avoid missed payments by setting up pre-authorized debit or electronic funds transfer
For plan members:
- Plan Member Portal (EquitableHealth.ca) – plan members get secure, 24/7 access to their claims history, coverage details and health and wellness resources
- Electronic Claim Payments and Notifications – plan members can get claim updates sooner in their email inbox and payments right into their bank account
- EZClaim Mobile App – submitting claims from a mobile device is fast, easy and secure
- Digital Benefits Cards – plan members no longer have to dig through their wallet – they can download their benefits card on their mobile device
Learn more about how we’re making it easier for your clients to do business with us
2021 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings, Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings and Short Term Disability Benefit*
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission and Canada Revenue Agency have announced the 2021 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings, and premiums for employment insurance. These changes take effect January 1st, 2021.
Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE)
The MIE will increase from $54,200 to $56,300.
Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings (MWIE)
The MWIE will increase from $1,042 to $1,083.
EI Benefit (55% of the MWIE, rounded to the nearest dollar)
EI benefit will increase from $573 to $595
Information for Plan sponsors
If your client’s Group Policy with Equitable Life includes a Short Term Disability (STD) benefit which is tied to the EI MWIE, and at least one classification of employees has less than a $595 maximum:
- To comply with the provisions of their policy, their STD benefit will be revised with the maximums updated based on the percentage of EI MEIW shown in their policy.
- The additional premium for any increase from their previous STD amounts and new STD amounts will be show on their January 2021 Group Insurance Billing (as applicable).
If their STD maximum is currently higher than $595 or based on a flat amount (not based on 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 have questions about the process, they can email Kari Gough, Manager, Group Quotes and Issue.
*Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
- New Applications & Transaction Authorization Requirements
- [pdf] Application for Contract To Sell Insurance Products and Request for Sponsorship
- [pdf] Introducing EZBenefits: A better benefits experience for small business
- How to videos
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Extending premium relief for Dental and Extended Health Care benefits
We know this continues to be a challenging time for Canadian employers and we remain committed to looking for ways to help your clients manage while still supporting their employees.
Although many health practitioners have re-opened as pandemic restrictions are lifted, plan member use of dental benefits and some health benefits still remains lower than normal in June.
We are pleased to announce that we are extending premium relief for all Traditional and myFlex insured non-refund customers for Health and Dental benefits for the month of June, as follows:
- A 25% reduction on Dental premiums; and
- A 5% reduction on Extended Health Care premiums.
These reductions are effective for June 2020 and will appear as a credit on the July bill, or against the next available billing. We will assess the situation monthly and will continue with monthly refunds for as long as the current crisis period continues. The size of the credit may change over time as dentists and other health practitioners gradually reopen their offices. We will confirm premium credits for July (if any) at a later date. Credits for subsequent months will be communicated on a month-by-month basis.
In order to be eligible for the monthly credit calculation and payout, a policy must be in force on the first of the month and remain in force thereafter. The monthly credit calculation is based on employees in force on the June bill. If employees experienced layoffs during the month, that would not affect eligibility for a premium credit as long as the benefit itself is not terminated.
We expect that claims experience and premiums will return to normal once the current pandemic restrictions are lifted.
In the meantime, plan members will continue to have full access to their benefits coverage throughout the pandemic. In many cases, dental offices have remained open for emergency services, and a variety of healthcare providers are available virtually.
Commissions
We know the pandemic has put financial strain on your business as well, so we will continue to pay full compensation. Although your overall commission will be unaffected by these premium reduction adjustments, you may see a temporary reduction in your commission payments if you are on a pay-as-earned basis.
Communication
We will be communicating this premium relief program to your clients later this week.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager. You can also refer to our online COVID-19 Group Benefits FAQ.
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- [pdf] Equitable GIF Contract Provisions and Information Folder
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Enhanced flexibility and features make Equimax whole life a great choice for your clients
WHAT’S NEW ON MARCH 23, 2020?
The following features are available on Equimax Estate Builder® and Equimax Wealth Accumulator® plans!
60 months of EDO payment flexibility1 that fits your clients’ situation- Clients can start EDO payments1 up to 60 months from the date the application was signed, or resume up to 60 months from the last EDO payment made, without additional evidence of insurability.
- Applies to Equimax2 policies with an effective date of March 23, 2020 or later.

EDO is available on cases rated 300% or less3 for new and existing clients- For existing clients, if approved, the EDO contract provisions that apply will be based on the effective date of the insurance policy, not the date the EDO was added.
- Applies to Equimax2 policies issued under the 2017 tax rules.
Built-in Disability Benefit Disbursement provides access to cash value in the event of a disability
- The Disability Benefit Disbursement may provide a tax-free, lump sum payment of up to 100% of the policy’s cash value if the insured becomes disabled.4
- Will be included on Equimax2 policies issued under the 2017 tax rules.5
Want more information?
More information is available on EquiNet® on the Whole Life Insurance Product page under the Resources tab.
Ask your Equitable Life® Regional Sales Manager about Equimax today.COVID-19 & social distancing: Strategy for insurance applications
Using our EZcomplete® online application allows you to keep your distance … while keeping your business moving forward.
Learn more
1 This applies only to policies with an effective date of March 23, 2020 or later. The amount of the EDO payment allowed may be limited to the maximum EDO payment made in previous years depending on the policy year. For approved EDO amounts exceeding $150,000 annually ($12,500 monthly), clients have up to 12 months from the date the EDO application was signed or the date of the last EDO payment to make an EDO payment before a contribution cap may apply. See Admin Guide for full details. 2 Applies to Equimax Estate Builder and Wealth Accumulator; all ages; life pay and 20 pay; single and joint lives. 3 Not available if the policy has a flat extra rating. 4 See sample policy contract for full details, including the qualifications for the disbursement. Policy cash value and death benefit will decrease. Tax laws are subject to change. The payment of the disability benefit disbursement may affect the adjusted cost basis (ACB) of the policy as it is considered payment of a capital benefit. Changes in ACB can affect the future taxation of the policy. 5Subject to our administrative rules and guidelines in effect at the time of the disbursement