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  1. December 2023 eNews

    Insights on EZBenefits from our Executive Vice-President, Group Insurance


    When it comes to advising small business owners, it can be tough to find the right group benefits solution. Offering a competitive benefits plan is more important than ever to help small business owners attract and retain talent. They need an affordable solution that’s easy to implement, renew and maintain.

    That’s why we launched EZBenefits for small business earlier this year. It’s a unique group benefits solution designed with you and your small business clients in mind. 

    Marc Avaria, Executive Vice-President, Group Insurance, explains:

    Find out more

    Visit info.equitable.ca/EZBenefits for more details or to request a quote. If you have questions, contact your Equitable Group Account Executive.


    Supporting plan members through cold and flu season with Dialogue Virtual Healthcare*

    Now that cold and flu season is here, many Canadians will start calling in sick or missing work to visit their doctor – if they can get an appointment. Now’s the time to remind your clients that Equitable offers Dialogue Virtual Healthcare. It can be added to any Equitable plan for an additional cost.

    Eligible plan members and dependants receive fast, on-demand access to virtual primary medical care—24/7, 365 days a year. Available for a variety of non-urgent health concerns, Dialogue Virtual Healthcare can make it easier to navigate cold and flu season by providing:
    • Access to the largest, most experienced bilingual medical team in Canada,
    • In-app prescription renewals and refills,
    • Personalized follow-ups after each consultation, and
    • An all-in-one patient journey to address health issues. This reduces long waits and means less time away for doctor appointments.

    Benefits of Virtual Healthcare for plan sponsors

    When your clients provide Virtual Healthcare for their plan members, they can help:
    • Drive employee engagement;
    • Reduce absenteeism related to in-person medical appointments;
    • Manage chronic health issues;
    • Attract and retain top talent; and
    • Build a healthier workforce.

    Learn how it works

    Adding Dialogue Virtual Healthcare to your clients' plans

    To learn more about adding Virtual Healthcare to your clients’ benefits plans, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex® Account Executive. You can also share this resource from Dialogue on managing cold and flu season.


    Changes to Short-Term Disability benefits calculations*

    The Canada Employment Insurance Commission and Canada Revenue Agency have announced the 2024 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings, and premiums for employment insurance. The following changes to Employment Insurance (EI) will take effect January 1, 2024:

    How does this affect your clients?

    To comply with client policy provisions, Equitable will revise Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits with the updated maximums based on the percentage of EI Maximum Weekly Insurance Earnings for policies that meet these conditions:
    • Policies that include a STD benefit that is tied to the EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings, and
    • Policies with a classification of employees that has less than a $668 maximum.
    • The additional premium for any increase from their previous STD amounts and new STD amounts will be shown on your clients’ January 2024 Group Insurance Billings (as applicable). 
    If a client’s STD maximum is currently higher than $668 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 Issue and Special Projects.

    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients. 
  2. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin - November 2022

    The importance of timely plan member eligibility updates*

    Effective Dec. 1, 2022, we are implementing a revised process for managing plan member and dependent health and dental claims that have been incurred and paid after coverage has been terminated. This new process is consistent with industry practices.
     
    If health or dental claims have been incurred and paid after a plan member’s termination date but before we received notice of the termination, we will align the plan member’s or dependent’s termination date with the service date of the last paid claim, retaining premiums up until that date.
     
    If no claims have been incurred and paid after the termination date, Equitable Life will process the termination as requested and refund any excess premium, subject to a maximum premium refund credit of three months.
     
    Currently, we process the termination as requested and attempt to recover any claim overpayments directly from the plan member. We then refund any excess premiums that have been paid, subject to the maximum refund credit amount.
     
    To avoid claims being incurred and paid after a plan member’s termination date, it is important for your clients to update plan member and dependent eligibility dates on or before the effective date of the change.
     
    If you have any questions about the process your clients should follow for updating plan member eligibility, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

    QuickAssess®: Absence and accommodation request review services*

    It can be difficult to navigate chronic or complex cases of absenteeism or accommodation requests. That’s where QuickAssess® can help.
     
    QuickAssess is an optional, fee-per-use service that can provide your clients with an unbiased, timely assessment of complex plan member absences and workplace accommodation requests. Our disability experts can provide recommendations to help your clients manage:
    • Workplace absences
    • Chronic or patterned absenteeism
    • Requests to modify workplaces or duties
    • Return-to-work coordination
    • Employee Insurance sick leaves
    Based on a thorough review of information provided by the plan sponsor, the plan member, and their physician, our QuickAssess specialists provide a recommendation within two business days on how to manage the absence or accommodation request.** Your clients can then decide how to manage the plan member request and communicate their decision accordingly.
     
    For more information on using QuickAssess, including eligibility requirements, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

    **Within two business days of receiving a completed QuickAssess Absence and Accommodation Review Referral Form and all required information. For more complex referrals, more time will be required.

    Finding a health care provider with TELUS eClaims direct billing*

    By visiting TELUS’s Find a Provider page, your clients’ plan members can now easily search for paramedical and vision providers who are registered on the TELUS Health eClaims network and who can submit claims directly to us on behalf of their patients. Searches can be filtered by postal code to help plan members find the most convenient provider options.

    As our direct billing provider for pharmacy, vision and paramedical claims, TELUS Health has an extensive network of 70,000 health care providers that provide direct billing to streamline the claims process.

    Please note, plan members should always check Equitable Life’s list of de-listed providers before selecting a health care provider. The list is available for your clients and their plan members on EquitableHealth.ca, and is updated regularly.

    For more information about TELUS eClaims, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

    First phase of the Canada Dental Benefit proposed for Dec. 1, 2022*

    The federal government’s new Canada Dental Benefit is proposed to take effect on Dec. 1, 2022, subject to Parliamentary approval. The program will cover eligible expenses retroactive to Oct. 1, 2022, and this first phase would apply to Canadians under 12 years of age.

    If implemented, the Canada Dental Benefit will provide dental care to Canadian families with under $90,000 adjusted net income annually. By 2025, the federal government expects to extend the benefit to children under 18, senior citizens and Canadians with disabilities.

    Parents or guardians will be required to apply for this coverage through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and must not have private dental coverage for the child(ren).

    This new program will have no impact on your clients’ dental coverage and no action is required on their part.

    * Indicates content that will be shared with your clients.
     
  3. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – December 2021 In this issue: *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

    Supporting plan members affected by the flooding in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland*

    The recent flooding in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland is having a devastating impact on the province’s residents.

    Here are some of the ways we can help support your clients’ plan members who are affected by the flooding.
     
    Prescription refills
    Until Dec. 31, our pharmacy benefit manager, TELUS Health, will allow early refills for plan members who have been evacuated and/or lost their medication due to the flooding.
     
    Replacement of medical or dental equipment and appliances
    If plan members in Nova Scotia or Newfoundland need to replace any eligible medical or dental equipment or appliances (e.g. prescription eyeglasses, dentures, etc.) due to the flooding, they can call us at 1.800.265.4556 before incurring additional expenses to see how we can support them.

    Disability or other benfit cheques
    If plan members affected by the flooding are receiving disability benefits or other benefit reimbursements by cheque, they can visit www.equitable.ca/go/digital for easy instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit. It’s easy and takes just a few minutes. They can call us at 1.800.265.4556 if they need help. We can also arrange for a different mailing address or replacement cheques if necessary.
     
    Mental Health Support
    A natural disaster can also take a serious toll on people’s mental health. All of our plan members have access to the Homeweb online portal and mobile app, including numerous articles, tools and resources designed to provide guidance and support in difficult times. Homewood has put together some suggestions on how to help employees affected by a natural disaster. 
     
    For your clients with an Employee and Family Assistance Program, remind them that their plan members have 24/7 access to confidential counselling through a national network of mental health professionals. Whether it’s face-to-face, by phone, email, chat or video, plan members will receive the most appropriate, most timely support for the issue they’re dealing with.
     
    If a client wishes to add the EFAP to their plan, we can do this quickly – often in just a few days. Simply contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
     
    Plan Administrator support
    We realize that the flooding may also be having an impact on the regular business operations of your clients in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. If any of your clients are unable to carry out day-to-day plan administration, they can call us at 1.800.265.4556 to see how we can support them.
     
    We know this is a challenging time for many of your clients and their plan members. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as appropriate. 
     

    Update: Changing certificate numbers on EquitableHealth.ca*

    Effective Dec. 10th, plan administrators will no longer be able to update or change plan members’ certificate numbers on EquitableHealth.ca. This change will ensure we can manage these changes more effectively to provide a smoother plan member experience.
     
    If your clients need to update a plan member’s certificate number, please have them reach out to Group Benefits Administration for assistance at groupbenefitsadmin@equitable.ca.
     

    Help plan members take advantage of convenient digital options*

    We have several 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.
     
    To help build awareness among plan members, we’ve created two posters that your clients can post on their intranet sites or in their office. The posters provide easy instructions on how to activate our secure, digital options.
     
    Please click on the links below to download the posters.
     
    EquitableHealth.ca posters:                                         EZClaim mobile app posters:
    EquitableHealth.ca English                                             EZClaim mobile app English poster                   
    EquitableHealth.ca French poster                                  EZClaim mobile app French poster
     

    Ontario optometrists and government to restart negotiations*

    The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) announced it has paused its job action and will restart negotiations with the Ontario Ministry of Health on funding for optometry services.
     
    In September, Ontario optometrists began withholding services from patients covered by OHIP, including children, senior citizens and other patients with certain medical conditions, after negotiations with the Ministry of Health over compensation broke down.
     
    Residents of Ontario between the ages of 20 to 64 who aren’t eligible for coverage of eye services under OHIP were not affected by the job action. They were able to continue to receive eye exams from their optometrist and submit eligible claims to their benefits plan.
     

    QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2022*

    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 2022 to reflect trends in the volume of claims submitted to the pool, particularly catastrophic claims.
     
    Size of group (# of certificates) Threshold per certificate 2022 Annual factor (without dependents Annual factor (with dependents)
    Fewer than 25 $8,000 $276.00 $771.00
    25 – 49 $16,500 $188.00 $527.00
    50 – 124 $32,500 $97.00 $328.00
    125 – 249 $55,000 $66.00 $223.00
    250 – 499 $80,000 $51.00 $173.00
    500 – 999 $105,000 $39.00 $153.00
    1,000 – 3,999 $130,000 $34.00 $133.00
    4,000 – 5,999 $300,000 $18.00 $71.00
    6,000 and over Free market – Groups not subject to Quebec Industry Pooling
     
    We will apply the new pooling levels and fees to future renewal calculations that involve Quebec plan members.
  4. [pdf] The Approach to Suitable Sales - Reference
  5. [pdf] Equitable HealthConnector
  6. NEW MARKETING MATERIAL! Equimax Participating Whole Life, Strong and Stable Dividends Participating whole life policyholders can get some of the participating account earnings back as dividends.1

    Dividend scales change over time. This new marketing piece shows how the actual values of policies look like against those that were estimated. It looks at two sample policies and compares them to the original sales illustrations. One example shows an Equimax Estate Builder® policy. The other example shows an Equimax® Wealth Accumulator® policy.

    We are proud of our strong and stable dividend results. We have paid dividends to our participating policyholders every year since 1936. And we’re still going strong!

    We want to make sure that we can continue to provide long-term income and growth to support the dividend scale and meet the product guarantees. We do this with constant focus on how we invest and manage risk to support the participating account.

    As a mutual life insurance company, we are owned by our policyholders who count on us and our services. Their trust in our knowledge, experience, and financial strength helps us keep our commitments to them—now and in the future.

    Dividend scales may change.2 But with a balanced approach, Equitable Life’s Equimax® Participating Whole Life continues to deliver excellent value. It gives guaranteed life insurance protection with the potential for earnings.

    Want to learn more? Check out our new marketing piece: Equimax Participating Whole Life, Strong and Stable Dividends (2075).

    For more information, reach out to your local wholesaler.
     
     

    ® and TM denote trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
    1 Dividends are not guaranteed and are paid at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Dividends may be subject to taxation. Dividends will vary based on the actual investment returns in the participating account as well as mortality, expenses, lapse, claims experience, taxes, and other experience of the participating block of policies.
    2 If low interest rates continue, investment returns will be lower, and this may mean decreases in the dividend scale in the future. Dividend payments are not guaranteed, but they will never be negative.
  7. 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.


    What is the difference between biologics and biosimilars?

    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.
     

    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. 
  8. Streamline your transactions with EZtransact

    Skip the forms and submit more transactions digitally with EZtransact® to see how Equitable® has continued to make it easier for you to do business with us.

    What’s new with these updates?


    One-time PAD functionality for Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account

    With the recent addition of DIA/GIA PAD to EZcomplete, you can now utilize EZtransact for one-time pre-authorized debits. This means faster processing with one-time deposits for investment instructions to either a DIA and/or GIA (multiple terms) with end-of-term instructions.
     

    Key benefits of these enhancements include:
    •  enhanced rate guarantees to secure the best rates available for clients,
    •  daily updated interest rate guide informs you of the latest rates,
    •  interest rate guarantee valid for three business days, for direct deposits from clients.

    Be sure to use EZtransact on your next DIA/GIA one-time deposit request to experience these improvements.
    DIAguideEN-(1).png

    Reduce RSP to RIF conversion time

    Reduce time and effort submitting Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) to Retirement Income Fund (RIF) conversion requests. EZtransact is continuing to reduce the amount of time it takes advisors to submit conversion requests.
     
    Features include:
    •  RSP/Spousal RSP to RIF Conversion to effortlessly submit request digitally.
    •   RIF Calculator to easily calculate your conversions.

    Save time with our enhanced digital experience.
    RSPtoRIF.png

    Sort & Filter Enhancements
    We’ve taken your feedback and made it easier than ever to find the contracts and clients you’re searching for. This improved advisor experience ensures you can:

    •  Filter “My Clients” By Product Type/ Registration Type
    •  Sort “My Clients” By Contract Number/ Client Name
    •  Filter “Transactions” By Transactions Status/ Transaction Type
    •  Sort “Transactions” By Date

    SortandFilter-(1).png

    You asked, and we listened! Keep providing us with your feedback on our digital tools. When we grow together, success is mutual.

    Get to know EZtransact and accelerate your sales! If you have any questions, please contact your Director, Investment Sales.

    Date posted: April 3, 2025

  9. Enhancing the Transfer Process: Equitable's New Signature Guarantee Service Equitable® is making transfers even easier with EZcomplete®.

    This enhancement will help advisors and clients by reducing the number of rejections from other institutions that need a signature guarantee. Reducing transfer rejections means less time and effort for advisors, and faster transfers from other institutions. 

    Signature Guarantees
    Equitable will now offer signature guarantees on most transfers requested through EZcomplete. 

    When is a signature guarantee not available?

    •  For entity owned accounts
    •  If a Power of Attorney is signing on behalf of an owner
    •  If the transferring account has an irrevocable beneficiary 

    Watch the quick Identity Check with Persona video or read through instructions below. 





    To offer a signature guarantee, Equitable first needs to check the identity of all owners using Persona, a third-party service provider.
    The advisor starts by selecting a signature guarantee in EZcomplete. An email link is sent to all proposed owners.


    Clients can click the link within the email to Persona's verification process.
    They will be prompted to take a picture of their photo ID and a selfie, turning their head slightly left and right by following the prompts.
    Their identity can then be confirmed in seconds.






    Sending Transfer Forms:
    •  If all owners' identities are verified, Equitable will send the transfer form with a signature guarantee stamp and the e-signature audit log to the transferring institution.
    •  If ID verification fails, clients will be prompted to try up to three times. If still unsuccessful, the transfer form and e-signature audit log is sent to the transferring institution without the signature guarantee stamp.

    Handling Issues:
    •  Advisors’ obligations to verify ID is not affected by this process; ID verification is still required.
    •  If the client times out or loses the email to access Persona, the advisor can resend the link.
    •  If the client’s name or email changes after ID verification, the advisor will need to redo the ID verification with the updated information to get a signature guarantee.

    This update strives to make processes smoother and more efficient for everyone. Just another reason to do business with Equitable. When we work together, success is mutual.

    For more information or assistance, please contact your Director, Investment Sales.

    ​​​​​​Date published: May 7, 2025
  10. This year’s RSP deadline is March 2, 2026


    RRSP deposits to be considered for the 2025 tax year must be:
    • Dated March 2, 2026, or before
    • Must be submitted to Head Office in good order by March 6, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET

    RRSP applications to be considered for 2025 contribution year must be submitted in good order by:
    • March 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET

    RRSP B2B Loans:
    • RRSP loan deposits must be received from B2B by March 13, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET
    Note: Transactions submitted after these dates will not receive a 2025 contribution receipt


    Please note that all requirements must be received in Head Office by the above dates to guarantee settlement for year end.

    Have you started talking to your clients about their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions yet? Equitable® has a range of RRSP solutions that can help meet their needs, including:

    Tools and materials to help you start the conversation
    Most clients genuinely want to save for retirement, but intentions alone aren’t enough—they need a plan. As their trusted advisor, you can help them understand why making their RRSP a priority is an important step toward long‑term financial security.

    To support those conversations
    Most clients genuinely want to save for retirement, but intentions alone aren’t enough—they need a plan. As their trusted advisor, you can help them understand why making their RRSP a priority is an important step toward long‑term financial security.

    To support those conversations, we’ve pulled together helpful tools and marketing materials that show how an Equitable RRSP can make a meaningful difference in reaching their retirement goals. Resources include: And don’t forget…

    From January 1 to March 2, 2026, when clients open or add money to an Equitable TFSA or RRSP, they’ll automatically be entered into Equitable’s Snowball Your Savings contest. Two lucky clients will win — and their advisors get to celebrate too!