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1. 2025 – Celebrating a year of growth!

   Individual Insurance roundup

   Kicking off 2026 with excitement— we’re proud to reflect on the wins Equitable’s individual insurance team achieved in 2025! We added nearly 50,000 new policies, serviced over 450,000 existing insurance clients, and paid more than 1,300 claims. But there’s more! 
   
   Through the year, we introduced new digital tools and smart ways of working that made things easier for advisors and clients alike. It was a year of remarkable growth and impact. 
   
   Here’s a recap of some of our best moments of 2025.
   ● Faster juvenile policy approvals
   We launched a new way to approve juvenile policies. Families can now get insurance faster, and advisors spend less time waiting. This lets you and your Equitable underwriters focus on approving more complex insurance applications.
   
   ● Easier payment updates online
   Our new “update payment” feature on Client Access and EquiNet made it simple for clients to change banking details and payments online — no paperwork needed. Updates are made within three business days, giving clients more choice in the way they connect with us.
   
   ● Better fund information
   With Fundata, we created an enhanced web page for universal life policy investments. Now, advisors and clients can easily find fund performance details and use simple “favourite funds, search, and compare” tools. This makes it easy for clients to stay informed on their UL investments.
   
   ● More choices for universal life (UL) clients
   Our new 30/65 Rider for Equitable Generations™ UL plans gives clients more choice and flexibility—an affordable new way to add more coverage to their policies when needed.
   
   ● Flexible term exchange options
   New term 30/65 exchange option — a great addition! It provides more choice for clients that need to change their coverage as their needs evolve.
   
   ● Stable dividend scale interest rate
   We kept our market-leading dividend scale interest rate of 6.40%, providing participating policyholders with confidence and stability.
   
   ● New web tool for UL illustrations
   This new online tool puts UL sales illustrations at your fingertips online. You can view and save them from your laptop, making it easier than ever to manage your UL business. Try the new web illustration tool here.
   
   ● New term insurance rates
   In November, we introduced new term insurance rates. Our term rates are now among the best available! This makes it easier for clients to get the insurance coverage they need.
   
   Looking ahead
   In 2025, Equitable showed that trying new ideas, making things easier, and putting clients first truly matters. As 2026 begins, we’re focused on continuing this exciting momentum.
   
   Thank you for being on this journey with us and wishing you a very happy and successful year ahead!
2. October 2019 Advisor eNews

   Coverage of Remicade, Enbrel and Lantus in BC

   As we announced in August, BC PharmaCare recently introduced a new Biosimilars Initiative that ends coverage of three biologic drugs, including Remicade, Enbrel, and Lantus. These drugs will no longer be eligible in British Columbia for most conditions for which lower-cost biosimilar versions are available. Patients in the province with these conditions will be required to switch to biosimilar versions of these drugs by Nov. 25, 2019 in order to maintain their coverage under BC PharmaCare. Patients taking Remicade for Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis will not be required to switch to a biosimilar until March 6, 2020.
    
   Biologics are drugs that are engineered using living organisms, such as yeast and bacteria. Biosimilars are highly similar to the originator drugs they are based on and most have been shown to have no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy.
    
   To ensure this provincial change doesn’t result in your clients’ plans paying additional drug costs, we have aligned our drug eligibility for these three biologic drugs with that of BC PharmaCare.
    
   As previously announced, effective Nov. 25, 2019, Remicade and Enbrel will no longer be eligible for BC plan members with conditions for which lower-cost biosimilar versions of the drugs are available. These plan members will be required to switch to the biosimilar versions of these drugs in order to maintain eligibility on the Equitable Life drug plan. We have communicated with Plan Administrators about this change, and we have informed affected claimants of the need to switch medications.  
    
   As well, effective Feb. 3, 2020, the drug ingredient cost for Lantus will no longer be eligible for BC plan members; only the dispensing fee may be eligible under their Equitable Life plan. Plan members taking Lantus will be required to switch to Basaglar, the lower-cost biosimilar version of the drug, in order to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan. We will be communicating with Lantus claimants in the coming weeks 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 Sales Manager.

   De-listed service providers

   As part of our ongoing initiative to have Group Benefits plans only reimburse eligible claims, we conduct reviews of the billing and administrative practices of service providers, including clinics, facilities and medical suppliers.

   As a result of these reviews we may de-list certain providers.  We will no longer accept, or process claims for services and/or supplies obtained from those providers. The plan member can still choose to obtain services or supplies from these providers, but Equitable Life will not provide reimbursement for the claims.

   Review Equitable Life’s de-listed service providers

   The delisted service provider list is also posted on EquitableHealth.ca for plan members to review to determine if their claim(s) are eligible for reimbursement under their Group Benefits plan.

   For more information about protecting group benefits plans from abuse, check out our articles.

3. [pdf] Coverage2go
4. [pdf] myFlex Options Guide
5. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – February 2022 In this issue:
   • Update: Alberta biosimilar coverage changes*
   • Preferred Biosimilar Program*
   • Responding to Quebec’s biosimilar policy*
   • Dental fee guide updates*
   • Reminder: Review manual allocations for HCSAs and/or TSAs*
   • Mental health resources for plan members*
   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

   Update: Alberta biosimilar coverage changes*
   Four originator biologics added to Alberta Biosimilar Initiative

   In 2022, Alberta’s provincial drug plan is adding four originator biologics to its Biosimilar Initiative. It has ended or will end provincial coverage of these drugs for some or all conditions, as follows:
   • Lovenox: Jan. 10, 2022
   • Humalog: Feb. 1, 2022
   • NovoRapid: April 1, 2022
   • Humira: May 1, 2022

   Patients 18 and over who are using these drugs for the affected conditions will be required to switch to biosimilar versions of the drugs to maintain coverage under the province’s government drug plan.
   
   How we are responding to protect our clients
   To help prevent this change from resulting in additional costs for our clients’ drug plans while still providing plan members with access to safe and effective medications, we will no longer cover these originator biologic drugs for plan members in Alberta.
   
   Effective May 1, 2022, claimants currently taking these drugs will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan.
   
   This is a continuation of the Alberta biosimilar switch program we launched last March, when the province first introduced its Biosimilar Initiative.
   
   Do my clients need to take any action?
   No action is required by plan sponsors. Plan members taking these targeted originator biologics will be contacted directly to allow them ample time to transition to a biosimilar. Any cost savings associated with the change will be factored in at renewal.
   
   Groups that opted out of the biologic coverage changes we made last March will automatically be opted out of these coverage changes, as well as any future changes to our Alberta biosimilar switch program. This means that their drug plans will continue to provide coverage to existing claimants for any originator biologics we stop covering as part of our biosimilar program.
   
   Advisors with clients who wish to opt out of our Alberta biosimilar program, or who previously opted out and want to opt back in, should speak to their Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
   
   Communication to plan members
   We will be communicating these coverage changes with affected claimants in early March to allow them ample time to change their prescriptions and avoid any interruptions in their treatment or their coverage. Thus far, the transition to biosimilars, has been smooth and continues to be successful.
   
   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 also 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.
   
   Questions?
   If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

   Preferred Biosimilar Program*

   As part of our ongoing efforts to help ensure the sustainability of your clients’ drug plans, we continue to engage in strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers. 
   
   We are pleased to announce a partnership to make Hyrimoz our preferred biosimilar for Humira. This partnership will generate additional savings for plan sponsors.
   
   Plan members will still have the choice to use Humira biosimilars other than Hyrimoz. However, in the absence of alternative sources of reimbursement, this may increase their out-of-pocket amount.
   
   The Preferred Biosimilar Program will take effect March 1, 2022 for all new claimants across Canada who start using a Humira biosimilar. It will take effect May 1 for existing claimants in Alberta who switch to a Humira biosimilar, to align with changes to the provincial plan.
   
   Questions?
   If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

   Responding to Quebec’s biosimilar policy

   Last year, the Quebec government announced it is phasing out coverage of biologic drugs. Beginning April 13, 2022, patients in Quebec using originator biologics will be required to switch to the corresponding biosimilar covered on the province’s public plan in order to maintain coverage.
   
   The following populations are excepted from this new policy:
   • Pregnant women, who should be transitioned to biosimilars in the 12 months after childbirth.
   • Pediatric patients, who should be transitioned to biosimilars in the 12 months after their 18^th birthdays.
   • Patients who have experienced two or more therapeutic failures while being treated with a biologic drug for the same chronic disease.
   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.
   
   We are actively investigating the impact of this new policy on private drug plans in Quebec. We plan to implement further enhancements to our biosimilar programs in Quebec later this year to help prevent this change from resulting in additional costs for our clients’ drug plans. We will provide more details in the coming months.

   Dental fee guide updates

   Each year, Provincial and Territorial Dental Associations publish fee guides. Equitable Life uses these guides to help determine the reimbursement limits for dental procedures. For your reference, below is the list of the average dental fee increases for general practitioners that will be used by Equitable Life for 2022.*
   
   Dental fee guide increases over 2021*

   Province/Territory	Average Fee Increase
   Alberta	3.9%
   British Columbia	7.35%
   Manitoba	5.79%
   New Brunswick	5.9%
   Newfoundland and Labrador	5%
   Nova Scotia	7.05%
   Northwest Territories	3%
   Nunavut	3.1%
   Ontario	4.75%
   Prince Edward Island	4.75%
   Quebec	5%
   Saskatchewan	5.99%

   *Data for all provinces and territories was not available at the time of publication. This chart will be updated on EquitableHealth.ca as more information becomes available.
    

   Reminder: Review manual allocations for HCSAs and/or TSAs*

   If your client’s Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and/or Taxable Spending Account (TSA) has manual allocations, they need to allocate these amounts to plan members each year. Please review all your plan members’ profiles on EquitableHealth.ca to ensure they have received their allocation(s) for the current benefit year.
    
   If your clients have Plan Administrator update access on EquitableHealth.ca, they can update these amounts online by doing the following:
   • Select “View certificate”
   • Select “Health Care Spending Account” or “Taxable Spending Account”
   • Select “Update Allocation” in Task Center
   • Enter amount in “Revised Allocation Amount”
   • Override Reason – “Plan Administrator Request”
   • Select “Save”
   If your clients have Plan Administrator reporting access on EquitableHealth.ca, they can determine which plan members have a zero allocation by running the “HCSA Totals by Plan Member” report online by doing the following:
   • Select “Reports”
   • Select “New”
   • Select “Next”
   • Select “HCSA” or “TSA Totals by Plan Member”
   • Select “Next”
   • Enter end date of “12/31/2020”
   • Select “Next”
   • Select “Finish”
   • View “Report”
   To provide us with the amounts to be updated, please have your client contact our Group Benefits Administration Team at GroupBenefitsAdmin@equitable.ca.

   Mental health resources for plan members*

   As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, many Canadians are experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Through our partnership with Homewood Health®, all of our clients and their plan members have access to a number of health and wellness resources designed to provide guidance and support. These resources include a number of webinars which discuss various COVID-19 and mental health-related topics. The webinars are pre-recorded so plan members can stream them at their convenience.
    
   Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Mental Health
   English webinar
   French webinar
    
   COVID-19: Loneliness & Isolation Fatigue - Self-Care Strategies 
   English webinar
   French webinar
    
   COVID-19: Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder
   English webinar
   French webinar
    
   Reducing Anxiety & Managing the Transition Back to the Classroom - for Teachers
   English webinar
   French webinar
    
   COVID-19: Specialized Mental Health Support for Health Care Professionals
   English webinar
   French webinar
    
   COVID-19: Supporting Children’s Mental Health
   English webinar
   French webinar
    
   Additional resources, including articles, tools, videos and podcasts, are available at Homeweb.ca/Equitable. Please encourage your clients to share these resources with their plan members.
    
6. Total Cost Reporting: understanding what's coming next
7. Term vs permanent life insurance: helping clients choose the best solution for them Most people understand why life insurance matters. What they’re often unsure about is which type of coverage is right for them. As an advisor, you’re in a unique position to do more than present options, you can help clients feel confident they’re making an informed choice. 
   
   Start with the client, not the product
   Before discussing insurance solutions, you can start by asking three important questions:
   1. What do you need to protect today?
   2. What are you trying to achieve for the future?
   3. What is your budget?
   By asking these questions you will get a better understanding of which solution fits the client’s needs.
   
   Matching the solution to the client
   Term life insurance may be ideal for clients who have budget considerations and need coverage for: 
   • Helping to replace income
   • Helping cover a mortgage or other debts
   • Business protection
   • A specific period of time (10 – 30 years)
   If a client wants lifetime coverage but can’t afford it right now, term insurance is a good option.  It gives them affordable coverage today that they can later choose to convert to permanent insurance when their income increases.¹
   
   Permanent life insurance (whole life and universal life) is an option for clients looking for lifelong coverage and added long-term value. It’s a good option for clients who want to:
   • Build an inheritance
   • Preserve their estate
   • Build tax advantaged cash value growth
   
   Permanent life insurance is also an excellent way for parents or grandparents to help give children or grandchildren some lasting financial security. It secures lifetime protection at a lower cost when the child is young and healthy. It also offers the potential for cash value growth that they can access if needed.   
   
   Helping clients make confident choices
   By focusing on what the client needs now—and what they might need later—you can help them pick life insurance that fits their changing life and financial goals. Share this client‑friendly piece that outlines some of the things that clients should consider to make an informed decision: 
   Which life insurance solution is right for you?
   
   Reminder: Clients’ needs can change; it’s a good idea to review their coverage regularly.
   
   For any questions, contact your Equitable wholesaler.
   
   
   ¹See contract for details on conversion limitations and eligibility.
8. Market Commentary October 2025 Key Takeaways
   
   • Market sentiment improved significantly in Q3 as economic uncertainties eased.
   • Both U.S. and Canadian stock markets posted strong gains. The rally was supported by sector-specific earnings strength and structural growth drivers in AI and digital infrastructure. Equity valuations remain elevated, which could become a potential headwind for future performance.
   • Canadian bond markets delivered positive returns in Q3. Returns were largely from underlying interest income, supported by modestly lower interest rates and continued strong performance from tighter credit spreads.
   • Both the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve restarted easing in Q3. Each central bank cut rates by 25 basis points in September, responding to rising risks to labour markets.
   
   Economic and Market Update

   Economic Summary: In the U.S., economic activity has remained relatively steady through 2025. However, while business investment remained robust, the pace of hiring slowed. Inflation has increased in recent months, but overall price pressures appear contained. Trade uncertainty eased in the third quarter as the U.S. reached agreements on tariffs with several key trading partners. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, as well as the European Union, negotiated compromise deals. These deals typically involved U.S. tariffs in the range of 15% to 20% in exchange for market access or investment commitments. However, other nations faced higher tariffs of 30-50% following failed negotiations. Mexico and China are currently in a 90-day pause on tariff hikes, which will expire on October 29 and November 10, respectively. At its September meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) lowered its policy rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4.00%– 4.25%. The Fed also signaled that additional interest rate cuts will likely be required to support the economy. Chair Jerome Powell highlighted increasing risks to the labour market and decreasing risks to inflation. He emphasized that the Fed remains data dependent and that interest rate decisions will be made “meeting-by-meeting”. The October 1 shutdown of the U.S. government added further uncertainty to the economic outlook. Key data releases are expected to be delayed, and the White House has warned of mass layoffs of federal workers.

   The Canadian economy experienced a modest rebound in July following weak growth in the second quarter. However, U.S. tariffs and ongoing trade policy uncertainty continue to present risks to the economy. The labour market continues to weaken while inflationary pressures have eased in recent months. On July 31, the U.S. increased tariffs on Canadian imports from 25% to 35% for those products not exempted under USMCA. In addition, the U.S. has expanded its list of sector-specific tariffs. This is expected to place further strain on Canadian exporters. In response to these developments, the Bank of Canada cut its policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.50% during its September meeting. Governor Tiff Macklem indicated that the Bank is prepared to take further action if the balance of risks shifts to weaker growth.
   
   
   
   Bond Markets: During Q3, the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index returned 1.5%. Yields on Canadian bonds with maturities of 10 years or less declined. That reflected increased expectations for interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada. Yields on bonds with maturities of greater than 10 years increased moderately, as investors continued to demand a higher risk premium for long-term debt.
   
   Overall, corporate bonds saw a positive return for the quarter and outperformed government bonds. This outperformance was due to the higher interest rate on corporate bonds relative to government bonds, with an assist from modestly tighter credit spreads. Corporate issuance was robust during the quarter with strong investor demand, as investors were willing to look past U.S. tariffs and their potential impact to global growth. There were 99 corporate bond issuances during Q3 that combined to raise $45 billion for issuers, a new record. Indeed, the new issuance market is tracking ahead of last year, the previous high-water mark for issuance.
   
   Notwithstanding the continued strong performance from corporate bonds, we have maintained a bias towards shorter corporate bonds where the risk and reward are better balanced. We remain ready to invest in longer corporate bonds as valuations become attractive.
   
   
   Stock Markets: Equity markets posted strong gains in Q3. The S&P 500 returned 8.1% for the quarter, led by Information Technology and Communication Services. Investors focused on the expansion of AI infrastructure and a more favourable regulatory environment for blockchain technology. These themes supported risk appetite despite valuations remaining high relative to historical averages. The Canadian market returned 12.5% in Q3, outperforming the U.S. by more than 4%. This was driven mainly by strong returns in the Materials sector. Meanwhile, the Europe, Australasia, and Far East Index (EAFE) returned 5.4%, as international investors re-evaluated the “Sell America” trade trend.
   
   
   
   U.S. Equities: In Q3, U.S. equities rose on strong momentum in AI infrastructure investment and growing interest in blockchain innovation. Mega-cap tech stocks led the rally. Major announcements such as NVIDIA’s $100 billion investment in OpenAI and Oracle’s $300 billion multi-year cloud deal highlighted the rapid growth of hyperscale data centers and the deepening commitment to AI development. A more supportive regulatory environment for blockchain technology also boosted investor interest in digital assets. This was reflected in robust IPO activity from crypto-focused companies such as Figure Technology and Gemini. Both stocks saw sharp gains following their public market debuts. That said, the S&P 500 continues to trade at nearly 23 times its forward earnings, roughly 20% above its 10-year average.
   
   Canadian Equities: Canadian equities rose on better-than-expected economic data and sector-driven earnings, outperforming the U.S. by more than 4% in Q3. The Materials sector drove the rally, contributing nearly half of the gain for the TSX in Q3, as the price of gold surged past US$3850/oz (+45% YTD). The Technology sector also posted solid results, highlighted by Shopify’s continued strong performance. Shopify’s AI-driven product expansion and scalable digital commerce growth pushed the stock to trade around 85 times its forward earnings over the next twelve months. Positive sentiment extended to the Financials sector, where better-than-expected provisions for credit losses helped support a revaluation of bank stocks.
   
   Overall, Q3 marked a risk-on environment across North American equities, underpinned by sector-specific earnings strength and structural growth drivers. In the U.S., enthusiasm around AI and digital infrastructure continued to dominate. In Canada, the rally was driven by surging gold prices and better-than-expected bank earnings. These catalysts helped sustain broad-based market strength across both markets.
   
   Bottom line:  Overall market sentiment improved in the third quarter following the volatility earlier in the year caused by tariffs. Investors benefited from resilient performance in North American equities and positive performance in fixed income. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve resumed its rate-cutting cycle, while strong consumer demand and continued capex-spending acted as key drivers for the market strength. In Canada, gold prices continued to surge amid persistent safe-haven demand driven by geopolitical risks. Looking ahead, we will continue to closely monitor valuation levels and underlying economic data for signals of inflection as the cycle progresses.
   
   
   
   Downloadable Copy
    

   Mark Warywoda, CFA VP, Public Investments	Ian Whiteside, CFA, MBA AVP, Public Investments	Johanna Shaw, CFA Director, Public Investments	Jin Li Director, Equity Investments
   Wanyi Chen, CFA, FRM Sr. Quantitative Analyst	Andrew Vermeer, CFA Senior Analyst, Credit	Elizabeth Ayodele  Analyst, Credit	Edward Ng Cheng Hin Analyst, Credit	Kate (Huyen) Vinh Analyst, Equity	Francie Chen Analyst, Rates

   
   ADVISOR USE ONLY
   Any statements contained herein that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements represent the portfolio manager’s best judgment as of the present date as to what may occur in the future. However, forward-looking statements are subject to many risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, and are based on the portfolio manager’s present opinions and views. For this reason, the actual outcome of the events or results predicted may differ materially from what is expressed. Furthermore, the portfolio manager’s views, opinions or assumptions may subsequently change based on previously unknown information, or for other reasons. Equitable^® assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained herein. The reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully and not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Investments may increase or decrease in value and are invested at the risk of the investor. Investment values change frequently, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Professional advice should be sought before an investor embarks on any investment strategy.
9. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – May 2020

   In this issue:

   • Digital options for your clients and their plan members*
   • Alberta delaying biosimilar initiative*
   • Yukon increasing insurance premium tax*
   • Manitoba and New Brunswick relaxing drug limits*
   • Free guide to accessing virtual healthcare*
   • Homeweb for plan members who are losing coverage*

   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

   
   Easy and convenient digital resources for your clients and their plan members

   During this time of physical distancing, people are looking for ways to interact with their providers virtually. We have several convenient digital tools available to make it easier for your clients and their plan members.

   
   For plan administrators:

   
   Plan administrator portal (EquitableHealth.ca)

   Our secure portal allows plan administrators to easily manage their plan anytime and anywhere. Instead of printing and mailing forms, they can make real-time updates at their convenience. The site also makes it easy to:

   • View or upload forms and other important documents;
   • Retrieve billing information;
   • Estimate monthly premium costs; and
   • View announcements, tips and reminders.

   Plan administrators can visit www.equitablehealth.ca to activate their account.

   Digital Welcome Kits

   Instead of paper kits that can easily get lost or quickly become outdated, plan members receive personalized welcome kits via an interactive email, including instructions on how to:

   • Activate their online group benefits account;
   • Download their digital benefits card;
   • Submit claims from their computer or mobile device;
   • Review their coverage details; and
   • Explore health and wellness resources.

   Easy automated payments

   Automated payments are a convenient way to avoid missed payments, suspended claims and disruption. Plan administrators simply complete the pre-authorized debit form and send to GroupCollections@equitable.ca. Or contact Group Collections about online banking and electronic funds transfer (EFT).

   We can help

   For assistance, plan administrators can contact their Client Relationship Specialist or our Web Services team at 1.800.265.4556 ext. 283 or groupbenefitsadmin@equitable.ca.

   
   For plan members:

   
   Plan member portal (EquitableHealth.ca)

   By logging into EquitableHealth.ca, plan members have secure 24/7 access to their personalized Group Benefits account. They can:

   • View and submit claims;
   • Review their coverage details; and
   • Access health and wellness resources.

   Electronic claims payment and notifications

   Once plan members have activated their Group Benefits account on EquitableHealth.ca, they can easily set up receiving their claim payments via direct deposit, and their claim notifications via email.

   EZClaim Mobile App

   Submitting claims is fast, easy and secure with the Equitable EZClaim® mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Plan members can view and submit health and dental claims and review their coverage details.

   Digital Benefits Cards

   Instead of digging through their wallets, plan members can download a digital version of their benefits card to their mobile device.

   We can help

   We’ve created a video guide to help plan members access and use their digital resources. For further assistance, plan members can contact our Web Services team at 1.800.265.4556 ext. 283 or groupbenefitsadmin@equitable.ca.

   
   Alberta government delaying biosimilar initiative

   As we announced in the February 2020 issue of eNews, the Alberta Biosimilar Initiative will require patients using several originator biologic drugs to switch to a biosimilar in order to maintain coverage through their Alberta government sponsored drug plan.

   Due to the increased demands the COVID-19 pandemic is placing on healthcare providers, the Alberta government has postponed the switching requirement. Affected patients will now have until January 15, 2021 to switch to the biosimilar version of their drug in order to maintain provincial coverage.

   We continue to investigate appropriate options to help ensure this provincial change does not unreasonably impact Equitable Life groups and patients and will keep you informed.
   For more information about the Alberta Biosimilars Initiative, consult the Alberta government website.

   
   Yukon increasing Insurance Premium Tax

   The Yukon Government has announced that it plans to increase its Insurance Premium Tax rates effective January 1, 2021. The premium tax rates for group life and accident and sickness insurance are expected to increase from 2% to 4%. The new tax rates will be applied to premiums paid on or after January 1, 2021.

   
   Manitoba and New Brunswick relaxing drug limits

   In order to protect the drug supply during the COVID-19 crisis, residents of most provinces were temporarily limited to receiving a 30-day supply of drugs when filling a prescription. Normally, doctors prescribe a 90-day supply for most maintenance-type drugs.

   The Government of Manitoba and the Government of New Brunswick are now relaxing this 30-day limit for prescription drugs where shortages do not exist. They will address potential shortages of specific drugs if necessary.

   As the situation continues to evolve, there may continue to be changes to provincial legislation and prescription limits. Plan members should speak to their pharmacist for the most up to date information.

   
   Free guide to accessing virtual healthcare

   With many health clinics closed and the healthcare system under strain, people are looking to access a doctor and other health providers virtually.

   As we announced previously, we’ve made it easier for plan members to find the information they need using our Guide to Accessing Virtual Healthcare. This online resource provides information about and links to a range of virtual health services they need to take care of their health and the health of their family during these challenging times.

   The Guide also indicates which services are covered by public health plan, so there’s no cost to the patient to access them if they provide their valid provincial health card.
   We will continue to update the Guide as more virtual healthcare providers and services become available.

   The Guide is available on both EquitableHealth.ca and Equitable.ca.

   
   Homeweb for plan members who are losing coverage

   We know these are difficult times for Canadian employers and their employees. As businesses temporarily suspend operations, some employers have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily lay off employees or put their benefits coverage on hold.

   That’s why we were 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, online self-directed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy;
   • Resources to support themselves and their family members through the COVID-19 pandemic;
   • An interactive online Health Risk Assessment; and
   • An online library of tools, assessments and e-courses.

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

10. [pdf] Dialogue Virtual Healthcare Overview