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  1. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin - April 2021

    In this issue:

      *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

    Update: Alberta biosimilar coverage changes take effect*

     
    In our November 2020 edition of eNews, we announced we are changing coverage for some biologic drugs in Alberta in response to the province’s Biosimilar Initiative.
     
    As of March 15, 2021, several originator biologic drugs are no longer covered for plan members in Alberta. Plan members taking these biologics are required to switch to the biosimilar versions of these drugs to maintain eligibility under their Equitable Life plan.
     
    Affected drugs and conditions – Remicade remains eligible
    We initially announced that Remicade would be among the biologic drugs no longer covered in Alberta.
    We have since determined a method to maintain ongoing eligibility of Remicade while reducing or eliminating any Coordination of Benefit risk associated with the provincial change. As such, Remicade will continue to be eligible for coverage. 
     
    Communication to plan members and plan sponsors
    We communicated directly with affected claimants in January 2021 to allow them ample time to change their prescriptions and avoid any interruptions in their treatment or their coverage. The transition to biosimilars, when required, has been smooth and continues to be successful.
     
    Plan sponsors were notified even earlier to allow ample time to opt-out of this change. The vast majority have accepted the changes and are benefiting from a smooth plan member transition. 
     
    Looking ahead
    We are one of the few insurers taking a comprehensive and proactive response to the Alberta Biosimilars Initiative. We will continue to monitor developments related to the coverage of biologics in Alberta and other provinces and will continue to take steps to protect your clients’ drug plans.
     
    Questions?
    If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
     
     

    New Humira biosimilars approved*

    Beginning in February, Health Canada approved seven new biosimilars for Humira, a biologic drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and many other conditions. Most of these biosimilars have already been launched and are available in pharmacies.
     
    Humira is one of the highest ranked drugs in terms of total annual cost. All the Humira biosimilars are priced 40% lower than Humira and represent a savings opportunity for private drug plans.
     
    BC Pharmacare has already announced that, effective October 7, 2021, all claimants for most conditions will only be eligible for Humira biosimilars.
     
    We have implemented national controls to ensure the use of Humira biosimilars for new claimants. As with all biosimilar programs at Equitable Life, they will continuously evolve such that our clients are provided appropriate risk protection. 
     
     
     

    Saskatchewan and Manitoba change coverage for some biologics*

    The Saskatchewan government recently announced that, effective March 1, 2021, new patients will no longer be eligible for coverage of Enbrel under its public plan. New patients will only be eligible for biosimilar versions of Enbrel.
     
    Similarly, the Manitoba government announced changes to its tiered biologics program. Currently, claimants are expected to try biosimilars listed under Tier 1 of the program before they can be considered for coverage under the public plan for either Enbrel or Remicade, which are Tier 2 drugs. Effective April 1, 2021, Brenzys, an Enbrel biosimilar, has been added to Tier 1 for some additional medical conditions. As well, Avsola has been added as another Tier 1 biosimilar for Remicade. These changes further expand the Manitoba government’s utilization of biosimilars as preferred therapies over originator biologics.
     
    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.
     
     *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
     
  2. [pdf] We’re serious about saving you money
  3. 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.
     
  4. Investment Calculators
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  6. Changes to the PMPRB

    Earlier this month, the Government of Canada announced the final amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations. These changes will impact how the Patented Medicine Review Board (PMPRB) sets the ceiling price for patented drugs and evaluates if the price of a drug reflects the value it has for patients. The intent of these updates is to enable the PMPRB to more effectively protect Canadians from excessive patented drug prices.

    These changes do not come into effect until July 1, 2020. Finalizing the guidelines and consultation with stakeholders will occur leading up to this date. It is yet to be determined which drugs will be included in the final guidelines. It is anticipated the guidelines will initially focus on drugs launched shortly prior to and after July 1, 2020.

    Equitable Life supports the modernization of the PMPRB and the ongoing need to evolve drug plan management tools in order to support the health of Canadians and drug plan affordability for public and private payers.

    If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive.

  7. COVID-19 testing: Find the information you need

    This news item has also been posted to the plan administrator and plan member sections of EquitableHealth.ca

    The Ontario government recently announced it has expanded access to COVID-19 testing to include select pharmacies throughout the province. As the pandemic continues, it’s important to know how to access testing if you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect you have been exposed to the virus.

    Guidelines for who should get tested and how to access testing vary across the country, so it can be difficult to know what applies in your jurisdiction.

    To help make it easier, we’ve provided links to COVID-19 testing resources for each province and territory. The resources include self assessments, guidelines for who should get tested, how to access testing, and testing locations.

  8. Equitable Life is launching a new Retirement Savings Plan section on EquiNet It is never too early or too late to speak to your clients about Retirement Savings Plans (RSP). This is a great time to check us out because Equitable Life® is launching all new tools and resources to help you improve your sales strategy and reach your clients.

    Today, Equitable Life is launching an all new RSP section on EquiNet®. The RSP Product Information box contains new and improved marketing tools and resources. Need to prospect new clients? We have editable letters to help you do that! Need to market to Millennials, Generation X or Baby Boomers? We have brochures and case studies to help you reach them. Want to market to your clients using social media? We have links and articles to help you share the love. With all the new and updated RSP materials, we have you covered. So, visit us on EquiNet today to see how we can help you grow your business.  
     
  9. Retirement Income Options from Equitable Life
    If you have clients who are reaching retirement age and have a Retirement Savings Plan or locked-in funds from a previous employer, the government requires them to convert these plans by December 31 of the year they turn 71.
     
    If your client is converting a plan, ask them about other existing assets. This is a great opportunity for your client to consolidate assets from other providers; and for you to discuss a lower management fee through Equitable Life’s Pivotal Select Preferred Pricing Program.
     
    For more information on the options available for clients who are reaching retirement age and the advantages of each, check out the following materials.
       
    To learn more about Equitable’s Preferred Pricing Program, please click here.
  10. Crunch the numbers with Equitable Life of Canada  

    Whether helping your client determine net worth or reviewing to see if your client’s retirement plan is on track, Equitable Life® is here to help with our online calculators. These number crunching tools can help you answer some of those challenging questions you get asked by your clients. From an RSP loan calculator to home budgeting to even figuring out if your client will be a future millionaire, check out our latest tools.
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    Amesh just celebrated his 71st birthday. He is looking for a product that provides continued growth in a tax-sheltered environment. What should he do with his existing Registered Retirement Savings Plan?

     

    Did you know?
    It is mandatory that you convert your RRSP to a RRIF by December 31st in the year you turn 71. Check out Equitable Life’s RRIF Payment Calculator.

     

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