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April 2024 eNews
In this issue:
- Competitive – and easy – benefits plans for your small business clients
- Simplifying benefits enrolment for your clients*
- NEW time-off tracking tool from HRdownloads*
- Focus on benefits fraud: Protecting your clients’ plans from abuse*
Competitive – and easy – benefits plans for your small business clients
Supporting your small business clients can be a challenge. It’s tough to find a competitively-priced benefits plan with the features they want. Small business owners may also need more of your time – especially if this is their first benefits plan.
That’s why we created Equitable EZBenefits™, a benefits solution designed with the needs of small businesses in mind. With a range of plan design options and valuable embedded services for plan sponsors and plan members, EZBenefits is available for groups with 2 to 25 employees. And to make things simpler for you, we’ve created an Advisor Concierge Service exclusively for EZBenefits. Whether you have a question about submitting a quote request for a new client or an issue with an in-force client, our Concierge Service is your go-to resource for EZBenefits support.Don’t have any EZBenefits clients yet?
To learn more about EZBenefits, watch our video to learn more or view our brochure.Simplifying benefits enrolment for your clients*
Navigating the benefits enrolment period can be overwhelming – for you, your clients and their employees. It’s difficult to ensure all plan members complete the necessary paperwork before the enrolment deadline.
That’s why we offer our secure Online Plan Member Enrolment tool at no extra cost to plan sponsors. The tool simplifies the onboarding process for your clients and their plan members by eliminating the need for paper enrolment forms.
It also makes enrolment faster and easier for your clients by:- Reducing errors and rework that can occur due to spelling mistakes or missing information on paper forms; and
- Sending automatic enrolment reminders to plan members, resulting in fewer late applicants.
- Enrol in their benefits plan in just minutes from their computer or mobile device;
- Easily enter all their enrolment information, including dependent details, banking information for direct deposit of claim payments and details for coordination of benefits; and
- Designate their beneficiary electronically.
Ready to share our Online Plan Enrolment Tool with your clients? Get them started with these helpful resources:
- Online Plan Member Enrolment Flyer for Plan Administrators
- Online Plan Member Enrolment Quick Reference Guide for Plan Administrators
- Quick Reference Guide for Plan Members
To learn more about how Online Plan Member Enrolment can simplify benefits enrolment for your clients, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Account Executive.
NEW time-off tracking tool from HRdownloads*
Through our partnership with HRdownloads®, EZBenefits clients now have complimentary access to Timetastic —a time-off tracking tool that can make it easier to manage employee vacation time, sick days and more.
Timetastic integrates seamlessly with HRdownloads and includes a mobile app to help manage time-off requests from any mobile device.
To see Timetastic in action, check out this demo.
EZBenefits also includes other helpful resources and tools from HRdownloads that can make daily human resources tasks easier, including:- A robust, award-winning HR management platform (HRIS);
- HR documents, templates, compliance resources and articles; and
- A live HR advice helpline.
Learn more about accessing HRdownloads.Focus on benefits fraud: protecting your clients’ plans from abuse*
According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), benefits fraud costs insurers and plan sponsors millions of dollars each year, which can lead to increased premium costs.
Resources for your clients
Both plan administrators and plan members play a role in preventing benefits abuse. So, we’ve compiled some resources you can share with your clients to help them understand what benefits fraud is and how to prevent it:- CLHIA’s free 15-minute Protect Your Benefits online course for plan administrators and their members
- CLHIA’s Fraud is Fraud program, including their FAQs on benefits fraud
- Our online guide to benefits abuse
- Tips for plan administrators and plan members to protect their plan
How we’re fighting benefits fraud
Our Investigative Claims Unit (ICU) works to detect and eliminate benefits fraud. We use a variety of investigative techniques, including CLHIA-led industry tools to detect and eliminate benefits fraud:- Joint Provider Fraud Investigation Program: A robust program that allows insurers to collaborate on fraud investigations that affect multiple insurers;
- Data Pooling Program: An initiative that pools data between insurers and uses advanced artificial intelligence to further identify and reduce benefits fraud; and
- Provider Alert Registry: A registry that allows insurers to view the results of other insurers’ anti-fraud investigations into specific practitioners.
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Sometimes plans change when you least expect
After saving for several years, clients might choose not to buy a home, and that's okay. One of the advantages of a First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is the flexibility to transfer funds to any registered account that accepts contributions. Transfers to Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Retirement Income Funds, or other FHSAs are tax-free and do not impact contribution limits. However, be aware transfers to other accounts are considered withdrawals and are considered taxable income and subject to withholding tax.
Do you know clients dreaming of homeownership? We are here to assist! Clients who contribute to an Equitable FHSA between May 1 and September 30, 2025 will be entered into our Close to Home contest, for a chance to win one of two $8,000 prizes. Whether opening a new Equitable FHSA or making an annual contribution, this is a fantastic opportunity to help clients get closer to owning a home.
Advisors, your efforts matter too! You have a chance to win a $1,000 prize if the client you are assisting, in alignment with their unique homeownership needs, is selected as a winner. At Equitable, we believe that when we grow together, success is mutual.
Don’t forget about Equitable’s user-friendly online application platform, EZcomplete®, or process an online transaction with ease using Equitable’s EZtransact®. These tools are fast, simple, and could bring clients closer to achieving their goals.
Want to learn more? Speak to your Director, Investment Sales.
Equitable’s Close to Home Contest: No purchase necessary. Contest period May 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025. Clients enter by making a deposit to an Equitable FHSA during the contest period or by submitting a no-purchase entry. Two prizes of $8,000 CAD each to be drawn on October 15, 2025 will be awarded. The servicing advisor for the policy to which the selected entrant made the deposit is also an eligible winner and will receive a $1,000 CAD prize. For example, if an Equitable client is a winner of the $8,000 prize, the client’s servicing advisor wins a $1,000 prize. Open to legal residents of Canada of the age of majority. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period. For full contest rules, including no-purchase method of entry, see the full contest rules.
Date posted: August 7, 2025 -
Announcing Equitable Life's National Biosimilar Program
Beginning March 1, 2024, we are expanding our biosimilar switch program nationally** to protect all our clients and to make our coverage consistent across Canada.
Our national biosimilar initiative will simplify drug plan coverage, replacing our provincial programs with one program across the country.
Why now?
Over the past few years, most provinces have introduced policies to delist some originator biologic drugs. They require most patients to switch to biosimilar versions of those drugs to be eligible for coverage under their public drug plans. Soon, it is expected that all provincial drug plans will cover only biosimilars.
In response, we have implemented biosimilar switch initiatives in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to align with these provincial changes. Our initiatives are designed to protect our clients from additional drug costs that may result from these government policies while providing access to equally safe and effective lower cost biosimilars.
How will this affect clients’ drug plans?
Because we have already introduced biosimilar switch initiatives in most provinces, the impact of this change will be minimal. It will primarily affect plan members in provinces or territories where we haven’t already required the switch to biosimilars, and plan members who are taking biosimilars that were not originally included in the switch initiative for their province.
Regardless of where they live, plan members across Canada will no longer be eligible for most originator biologic drugs if they have a condition for which Health Canada has approved a lower cost biosimilar version of the drug. Plan members already taking the originator biologic will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable plan. We will support their transition with education, personalized communication, and resources.
Will this change affect clients' rates?
Any cost savings associated with the change will be factored in at renewal.
Biologics are drugs that are engineered using living organisms like yeast and bacteria. The first version of a biologic developed is known as the “originator” biologic. 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.
What is the difference between biologics and biosimilars?
Advance notice
We will be communicating with affected claimants in early December 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 Account Executive.
**Excludes plan members in Quebec who participate in a separate provincial program. - [pdf] Equinet FAQ
- EquiNet-FAQ
- Frequently Asked Questions
- [pdf] Pivotal Select Application - FHSA
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When we grow together, success is mutual
Equitable® announces the return of its popular Step Up Your Wealth sales campaign! Again, this year, we are rewarding advisors who promote Equitable’s Savings & Retirement products to both existing and new clients, as part of a comprehensive investment strategy.
At Equitable, we offer a complete range of investment products designed to meet the savings, accumulation, and income needs of Canadians. Our strength as a mutual company, combined with our diverse lineup of competitive solutions, can help clients achieve their financial goals with confidence.
*The bonus amount will be calculated at the end of 2025 based on net deposits. The bonus will be paid within 90 days following December 31, 2025. Maximum bonus payable is $100,000 for re-qualifying Elite advisors; $75,000 otherwise. 1 Re-qualifying Elite advisors are advisors who attained Elite status at the end of 2024 and maintain Elite status at the end of 2025. To attain Elite advisor status, an advisor must have $1,250,000 in gross deposits in at least five policies or $10,000,000 in assets. For re-qualifying Elite advisors that reach $10,000,000 or more in net deposits in both 2024 and 2025, the maximum payment is $200,000. Equitable reserves the right to end or after the Step Up Your Wealth sales campaign at any time and without notice.
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Join us and take advantage of the opportunity to grow clients’ wealth while being rewarded for your efforts. Together, we can help Canadians achieve their financial dreams. For more information, visit our website or speak to your Director, Investment Sales today.
Date posted: January 6, 2025
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Introducing Equitable EZBenefits: A better group benefits solution for your small business clients
If you serve small business owners, chances are they’re looking for a group benefits solution that’s affordable, sustainable and easy to manage. That’s why we introduced Equitable EZBenefits™. It’s a unique group benefits solution designed with you and your small business clients in mind.
Options to fit every need
Available to organizations with between 2 and 25 employees, EZBenefits offers a range of plan design options to match different needs and budgets. * Whether your client owns start-up or a growing company, we’ve got them covered. Plan options include a mix of Life, Health and Dental coverage. ** Clients can also add Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage or a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA).
Embedded services to support health and wellness
To provide employees with added support for both their physical and mental wellbeing, all our plan design options include:- Anytime, online access to medical professionals through our Virtual Healthcare solution from Dialogue,
- Access to professional counselors – via the telephone, the web or in-person – through our Employee and Family Assistance Program from Homewood Health®, and
- Online resources to help manage health, financial and family challenges through Homeweb, Homewood Health’s online wellness portal.
EZBenefits also comes with built-in HR support through Equitable Life’s partnership with HRdownloads® This takes the heavy lifting out of common human resource tasks with HR support tools and services, including:- HR Technology: An award-winning cloud-based human resource information system to provide help from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between.
- HR Content: Access to a library of over 3,000 HR documents, templates, compliance resources and articles, with 25 free document downloads.
- HR Training: A free Workplace Diversity and Inclusion online training course.
- HR Support: One free Live HR Advice call with a seasoned HR expert.
We know that advising small business clients can be challenging. We’ve created a streamlined benefits process that provides rapid quotes, hassle-free plan implementation, simplified renewals and that is easy to administer. That way, you can spend more time advising your clients and building your business – and less time with administrative back and forth.
Pricing stability for long-term stability
When it comes to attracting and retaining talent, we know your small business clients are competing with larger organizations that have big budgets and lots of resources. That’s why we’ve designed EZBenefits to provide long-term pricing stability for health and dental benefits.
Find out more
Watch this video to learn how EZBenefits can help you and your clients. You can also visit info.equitable.ca/ezbenefits for more details or to request a quote. If you have questions, contact your Equitable Life Group Account Executive. If you don't have an Equitable Life Group Account Executive, email us at EZBenefits@equitable.ca.
* Not available in Quebec.
** Dental coverage is not included with the Bronze plan design option. -
Explore Equitable EZBenefits™
A better group benefits solution for your small business clients
Running a small business isn't easy, especially for companies with smaller budgets and fewer resources. It can be tough to find a competitively priced benefits plan with the features that clients want. That’s why we created Equitable EZBenefits™, a benefits solution designed with the needs of small businesses in mind.
Options to fit every need
Available to organizations with between 2 and 25 employees, EZBenefits offers a range of plan design options to match different needs and budgets. * Whether your client owns start-up or a growing company, we’ve got them covered. Plan options include a mix of Life, Health and Dental coverage. ** Clients can also add Long-Term Disability (LTD) coverage or a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA).
Embedded services to support health and wellness
To provide employees with added support for both their physical and mental wellbeing, all our plan design options include:
● Anytime, online access to medical professionals through our Virtual Healthcare solution from Dialogue,
● Access to professional counselors – via the telephone, the web or in-person – through our Employee and Family Assistance Program from Homewood Health®, and
● Online resources to help manage health, financial and family challenges through Homeweb, Homewood Health’s online wellness portal.
Extra HR support for EZBenefits clients
EZBenefits also comes with built-in HR support through Equitable’s partnership with Citation Canada® (formerly HRdownloads). It takes the heavy lifting out of common human resource tasks with HR support tools and services. Features include:
● an award-winning cloud-based human resource information system (HRIS) to provide help from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between,
● access to a library of over 3,000 HR documents, templates, compliance resources and articles, with 25 free document downloads,
● a free Workplace Diversity and Inclusion online training course, and
● one free Life HR advice call with a seasoned HR expert.
A streamlined process to optimize your time
We know that advising small business clients can be challenging. We’ve created a streamlined benefits process that provides rapid quotes, hassle-free plan implementation, simplified renewals and that is easy to administer. That way, you can spend more time advising your clients and building your business – and less time with administrative back and forth.
Pricing stability for long-term stability
When it comes to attracting and retaining talent, we know your small business clients are competing with larger organizations that have big budgets and lots of resources. That’s why we’ve designed EZBenefits to provide long-term pricing stability for health and dental benefits.
Find out more
To learn more about EZBenefits, watch our video to learn more or view our brochure. You can also visit info.equitable.ca/ezbenefits for more details or to request a quote. If you have questions, contact your Equitable Life Group Account Executive. If you don't have an Equitable Life Group Account Executive, email us at EZBenefits@equitable.ca.
* Not available in Quebec.
** Dental coverage is not included with the Bronze plan design option.