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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*
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 Coverage2goNew 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 20th anniversary.
- [pdf] Equitable Guaranteed Investment Funds – Protection Class
- [pdf] A better group benefits experience
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5 great reasons to work with Equitable
There are plenty of reasons to work with Equitable®. We’ve rounded up the top 5 in our popular marketing piece 5 great reasons to make Equitable your first choice.
1. We’re committed to our policyholders.
At Equitable, our mutual status gives us the advantage of focusing exclusively on our policyholders and our commitments to them. We have a DBRS Morningstar rating of A (high) and a strong LICAT ratio. This means that we are well-positioned to continue meeting our commitments to our clients.
2. We have a broad, competitive product shelf.
We offer a diversified and competitive product portfolio, with some of the most competitive solutions on the market. Our broad range of insurance and savings products provide you with competitive, flexible solutions to meet clients’ financial needs.
3. We make underwriting easy.
Are you working on a large case? We have a specialized team of experts and dedicated underwriters to help you with larger and more complex cases.
4. We offer regional wholesaler support.
Our regional wholesalers are here to provide personalized sales support in the field, from coast-to-coast. They take the time to understand your business needs and help develop solutions.
5. We have great online advisor tools.
EquiNet®, Equitable’s advisor site, is bilingual and mobile-friendly. It puts the tools and information you need right at your fingertips. Check out our EZcomplete® online applications, administrative forms and processes, sales illustrations, marketing materials, and more.
Contact your Equitable wholesaler today to learn more!
- [pdf] Modify a Household - Equitable GIF
- [pdf] Create A Household - Equitable GIF
- Advisor Guide
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Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – December 2021
In this issue:
- Supporting plan members affected by the flooding in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland*
- Update: Changing certificate numbers on EquitableHealth.ca*
- Help plan members take advantage of convenient digital options*
- Ontario optometrists and government to restart negotiations*
- QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2022*
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. - [pdf] Investment Direction Form - DIA/GIA