440 results for benefits of seg fund

1. Policy endorsement: Long Term Disability pre-existing condition period

   We are updating our contracts to clarify how we handle the Long Term Disability (LTD) pre-existing condition period for employees returning from maternity or paternity leave.

   A new LTD pre-existing condition period will no longer apply when an employee re-enrols in the benefits plan after their maternity or paternity leave ends, provided that they return to work on the date agreed upon with their employer, or in the time period allowed by the Employment Insurance Act, whichever is earlier.

   To facilitate this change, we are amending some of the wording in our contracts and booklets, effective March 1, 2020. Below are links to the Endorsement to the Master Policy and the Summary of Master Booklet Wording Changes for this amendment. Please download and save these policy endorsement documents for your files.

   In addition, please remind your clients to provide all of their plan members with a copy of the Summary of Master Booklet Wording Changes.

   The next time your clients amend their benefits plan, the updated wording will be included in their group benefits plan booklets.
   
   Download Endorsement to the Master Policy
   Download Summary of Master Booklet Wording Changes

2. Extending Homeweb to plan members who are losing coverage

   We know these are difficult times for Canadian employers and their employees.

   As businesses temporarily suspend operations to help stop the spread of COVID-19, some employers have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily lay off employees or put their benefits coverage on hold.

   So we are pleased to announce that Homewood Health^® and Equitable Life^® will extend access to Homeweb, a personalized online mental health and wellness portal, for up to 120 days for plan members who have temporarily lost their benefits coverage due to COVID-19.

   Employees and their family members will continue to have access to the Homeweb website and mobile app, including:

   • iVolve, Homewood’s online self-directed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy treatment tool to help manage mild to moderate anxiety and depression;
   • Resources and information to support themselves and their family members through the COVID-19 pandemic;
   • An interactive online Health Risk Assessment to help identify and address health risks; and
   • An online library of interactive tools, assessments and 20 different e-courses that allow each user to learn at his/her own pace.

   This will allow businesses undergoing financial hardship to provide some support to employees who are temporarily without benefits coverage.

3. 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.
    
4. [pdf] B2B Investment Loan Application Process
5. Short-term disability coverage for plan members in quarantine or self-isolation*

   Please note: This announcement applies only to groups with short-term disability coverage through Equitable Life

   With the spread of COVID-19, many people have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine themselves or are doing so voluntarily. We realize this is a stressful situation for people and they may be wondering if they are eligible for disability benefits. Short-term disability is designed to replace a plan member’s earnings if they are unable to work due to illness and injury.  As a result, only plan members who meet the following criteria are eligible for benefits:

   • Plan members who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are unable to work from home are eligible for coverage from Day 1 of their self-isolation period.
   • Plan members who have not been tested but have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are unable to work from home, are eligible for coverage. Claims will be assessed according to the terms of the plan.

   Plan members who are in quarantine for any other reason, but do not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, are not eligible for coverage. These plan members should consider applying for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, if they do not have an option to work from home.

   Submitting COVID-19-related STD claims

   To make things easier for plan members who need to submit claims related to COVID-19, we will not require a physician’s statement. Instead plan members should submit our simplified Short Term Disability Plan Member COVID-19 Claim Form.

   Plan Administrators need to complete their portion of the regular Short Term Disability Form (Form #421).

   This is a temporary process that will remain in effect through the current coronavirus situation. We will update on changes and share them on EquitableHealth.ca.

   Applying for the Employment Insurance sickness benefit

   Canadians quarantined due to COVID-19, who are not receiving Short Term Disability benefits, can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits has been waived. Service Canada’s dedicated toll-free support number is 1-833-381-2725 or (TTY) 1-800-529-3742.

   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

6. Do you have clients looking for growth but are concerned about taking on too much risk?

   
   Please join us to hear Dina DeGeer, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Head of the Mackenzie Bluewater Team and David Arpin, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Mackenzie Investments, discuss how the Mackenzie Bluewater Team is positioning the Mackenzie Canadian Growth Balanced Fund for future success
   
   Learn about the value of investing in high-quality businesses and how taking a broader approach to fixed income investing can deliver the balanced solution your clients are looking for
   
   Equitable Life is pleased to offer the Mackenzie Canadian Growth Balanced fund as one of six different Mackenzie funds in Pivotal Select™ segregated fund lineup.
    

   Learn More

7. Equitable Life presents Dynamic Funds featuring David L. Fingold
   
   With the upcoming U.S. election, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the challenges and uncertainty of today’s global market can create doubt for investors. Please join us to hear guest speaker David L. Fingold from Dynamic Funds discuss a look at global markets; insights on the current positioning of Dynamic American Fund and Dynamic Global Discovery Fund; and review of investment process
   
   Do not miss the opportunity to hear about some of the key holdings of David’s portfolios!
   
   Equitable Life is pleased to offer access to five different Dynamic Funds in the Pivotal Select™ segregated fund line-up, including the Equitable Life Dynamic American Value Select and Equitable Life Dynamic Global Discovery (the underlying funds of which are managed by David).
    

   Learn more

    
8. THREE new ways to help make your Savings & Retirement business run smoother
   As of August 20, 2022, EZcomplete® will include several new features that allow applications to be completed faster and easier:
   
   1. Prefilled Fund Transfer Form
   The transfer form will be generated with the information from EZcomplete and included in the EZcomplete signing package, saving you time.
   
   
   
   2. Client eSignature Audit History and Document Download
   If you choose the e-signature option for the client, you’ll be able to download a copy of the e-signed transfer forms and the signature audit history.
   
   
   3. Email the Client Contract Info and Fund Facts Before Signing
   You'll now be able to email Point of Sale materials (Contract & Info Folder and Fund Facts) to clients before they provide their e-signature.
   
   
   Log in to EZcomplete today!
    
   Speak to your Regional Investment Sales Manager to learn more!
   
   
   
    
9. The new segregated fund EZcomplete cloning feature will save time and errors.

    

   The new cloning feature for Savings & Retirement EZcomplete^® applications means that advisors don’t need to enter the same client information when completing multiple applications for the same client. 

    

   Here's how easy it is to use.

   

   Best of all, you can clone in progress and submitted applications.
   
   This is just some of the information that will be automatically copied:

   • Name

   • Date of birth

   • Gender

   • Occupation

   • Address

   • Phone numbers

   • Email address

   • Social Insurance Number

   • All beneficiary information

   
   The new EZcomplete cloning feature will save advisors time and reduce errors.

    

             
   
                                                                     
    

    

   If you have any questions, contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager

   
   ® denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
   Posted April 6, 2023
10. What’s new in EZtransact We’re excited to introduce the latest enhancement for EZtransact™, our digital self-serve tool. EZtransact now allows you to help clients:
    
    •  Easily make segregated fund withdrawals. This functionality is available for all account types, and for the First Home Savings Account, it also eliminates the need to submit additional CRA paper forms.
    
    •  Transfer from one fund to another fund digitally, within the same policy and same sales charge options.
    
    These enhancements make it easier than ever to do business with Equitable^®. They will help reduce your time spent on paperwork, allowing to you focus on more value-add time and services for clients. 
    
    Check out EZtransact. Stay tuned for more exciting digital enhancements coming soon!
     
    If you have any questions, please contact your Director, Investment Sales. 
    
    
    Date posted: July 11, 2024