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1. Equitable Life Coronavirus Update – March 13, 2020

   As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, it’s important that you, your clients and their plan members have the most up-to-date information. We are providing timely updates on any developments that impact your clients and their plan members or their benefits coverage.

   Please share this information with your clients. You can direct them to EquitableHealth.ca, where we have posted a version of these updates.

   Coronavirus travel coverage*

   For groups with Travel Assist coverage

   The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued several Travel Health Notices advising Canadians to avoid travel to countries and regions where there have been outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19).

   A good resource to help your clients and their plan members understand how the spread of the coronavirus may impact their travel plans is the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Coronavirus Travel Advice site. The levels of risk by country and region are regularly updated.

   If your clients’ plan members cannot avoid travelling, Public Health recommends they take steps to prevent illness and seek medical attention if they become sick.

   Where to find the latest information

   The list and level of travel advisories can change at any time. Please check the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisor and Advisory page for the most current information.

   If your clients’ plan members have coronavirus symptoms while travelling, please advise them to contact Travel Assist at the numbers listed below for assistance.

   Advise plan members to call before they travel

   If a plan member is travelling anywhere outside of the province or country and their benefits plan includes Travel Assist, plan administrators should advise them to make sure they’re prepared for a medical emergency by following these steps.

   1. Check the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisor and Advisory page. Note that it is important to click on the country to check whether any specific regions of that country have travel advisories.
   2. If they have questions, they should call Travel Assist before they travel for assistance and benefit information.
   3. Pack their Equitable Life benefits card and provincial health card.
   4. In a medical emergency, call the Travel Assist 24-Hour Hotline:
   • Toll-free Canada/USA: 1.800.321/9998
   • Global call collect: 519.742.3287
   • Allianz Global Assistance ID #9089

   Allianz Global Assistance administers Equitable Life’s Travel Assist benefits. Allianz has an international network of medical facilities, transportation providers, medical correspondents and multilingual administrative agents who aid with medical, legal and most travel-related emergencies 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

   Early prescription refills and drug shortages*

   In response to concerns about COVID-19 TELUS Health, our pharmacy benefits manager, has announced it is maintaining its standard rules for refills of medication. Plan members can refill their medications when at least two-thirds of the last dispensed supply has been used.

   If plan members need more than the maximum supply allowed on their plan, they must pay out-of-pocket for the excess amount. They can then submit a claim to ask for an exception request.

   TELUS is taking this position to help maintain access to medication for all patients. They continue to monitor the situation. We will provide an update if it changes.

   Drug shortages

   TELUS Health monitors for drug shortages and updates their system for any unavailable drugs. This helps to ensure accurate claims payment. If a referenced lowest-cost generic drug is unavailable, claims for drugs in the class will be paid at the next lowest-cost generic alternative available.

   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

2. COVID-19 Group Benefits FAQ
3. April 2026 eNews

   In this issue:

   Coming soon: Enhancements to Equitable EZBenefits plans for small business

   Register now: Free webinar connects nutrition and employee health

   Reminder: One-time passcodes will be added to our login experience*

   Service-related survey will go to clients in May*

    

   *Indicates content we will share with your clients.
   
    

   Coming soon: Enhancements to Equitable EZBenefits plans for small business

    

   Equitable EZBenefits® was created to provide a better benefits experience for small businesses in Canada. With a range of plan designs to fit the needs and budgets of companies with 2-25 employees, this unique solution is affordable, sustainable and easy to manage.

    

   Now, we’re enhancing EZBenefits to deliver even greater value for more small businesses.

    

   Overview of enhancements

    

   We’re making the following updates:

   • Dental coverage for new Bronze plans: Basic dental coverage will be available for Bronze-level EZBenefits plans. Coverage will be 70% with a $750/year maximum, 12-month recall and six scaling units.

   • Definition of earnings for long-term disability (LTD) coverage: Earnings for LTD coverage will include bonuses and commissions, to reflect common small business pay structures.

   • Part-time eligibility for Saskatchewan employers: For Saskatchewan-based employers with 10 or more employees, the definition of part-time employment will shift to 15 hours per week to match the province’s definition.

    

   These enhancements will be included in new EZBenefits plans with effective dates of June 1, 2026, or later.

    

   In-force EZBenefits clients can also access these enhancements starting June 1, 2026, by requesting a plan amendment.

    

   You may wish to discuss these enhancements with your EZBenefits clients so they can make the best decisions for their plans.

    

   An “EZ” solution for you

    

   EZBenefits is also designed with advisors’ needs in mind. By providing fast quotes, a streamlined implementation process and an advisor concierge service, we’ve reduced your administrative burden and made supporting your small business clients easier.

    

   To learn about EZBenefits or the upcoming enhancements, please contact your Group Account Executive.

   
   Register now: Free webinar connects nutrition and employee health

   
   Plan to attend this special virtual session where Dr. Jeffrey Alfonsi, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of RxFood, will share research that links overall health and nutrition.

    

   Poor nutrition is often connected to chronic disease. And chronic disease is heavily affecting the Canadian workforce—impacting productivity, driving up incidence of disability among employees and health benefits costs for employers.
    

   During his presentation, Dr. Alfonsi will underscore the difference healthy eating can make in several areas, including:

   • Chronic disease management and prevention

   • Early return to work from disability leave

   • GLP-1 agonist need and usage rates

   • Mental health and wellness

      

   You’ll also learn how employers can make good nutrition more accessible to employees and support their holistic health.

   
   Nutrition matters

   The powerful connection between diet and employee health

   When: Thursday, May 21, 2026,
   10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET

   Where: Online (register here)

   The webinar will be presented in English only. CE credits will be available.

    

   Reminder: One-time passcodes will be added to our login experience

    

   Soon, you may need to complete a new security step when you log in to your account on EquitableHealth.ca^® and the Equitable EZClaim^® mobile app. Anyone who logs in with an email address and password may be required to enter a one-time passcode that’s provided via email.

    

   By adding this form of multi-factor authentication (MFA) to the login process, we’re further enhancing our digital security and helping safeguard your account access and our clients’ personal data.

    

   Skip the one-time passcode. Create a passkey.

    

   However, you won’t need to enter a one-time passcode if you create a passkey to log in. Passkeys are another form of MFA. They are safe and provide a quicker, easier, secure way to access your account, using either biometrics – your face or fingerprint – or a PIN authenticator to confirm your identity.

    

   Learn more about passkeys. You’ll see how easy it is to set up on your mobile device or computer. Please reach out to your Group Account Executive if you have any questions.

    

   Service-related survey will go to clients in May

    

   At Equitable, we’re committed to providing clients and plan members industry-leading service. And we’re continually looking for ways to improve.

    

   On May 11, we’ll invite clients to complete a survey to help us understand where we’re delivering exceptional service, and how we can better meet their needs and those of their plan members. Their feedback will be kept confidential. However, we may follow up with some clients to address any concerns they identify.

    

   Every client who completes the survey will be entered into a random draw for a chance to win one of three pre-paid $200 gift cards. Clients will have through May 25 to complete the questionnaire for a chance to win a gift card.

4. Product at a glance
5. Let’s “Talk Money”: From first savings to retirement income
   Financial Literacy Month may be ending, but the conversation shouldn’t.
   
   Talking with an advisor helps normalize money conversations— including discussions on saving, spending, managing debt, and more. This can help clients feel better and make smarter financial choices. As an advisor, you can guide clients from their first savings through to retirement with Equitable^® .
   
   Starting out? Clients can consider:
   Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
   Save for short- or long-term goals and take out money anytime, tax-free.
   
   First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
   Save up to $40,000 tax-free for a first home. Contributions may be tax-deductible, and withdrawals are tax-free for buying a qualifying home.
   
   Growing wealth? Clients can consider:
   Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
   Contributions may be tax-deductible. Good for long-term savings—money grows tax-free until retirement.
   
   Guaranteed Interest Account (GIA) / Daily Interest Account (DIA)
   Earn steady interest with flexible terms. Available in a TFSA, RRSP, and FHSA.
   
   Retirement ready? Clients can consider:
   Payout annuities
   Guaranteed income for life or a set time. Helps make sure savings last.
    

   Resources to support these conversations

   
   Use our easy online tools: EZcomplete^®  to apply and EZtransact™ for transactions. Let’s help Canadians save smarter—one step at a time. When we work together, success is mutual.
   
   Reach out to your Director, Investment Sales if you have questions.
6. Our Critical Illness Insurance Path to Success Program Our Critical Illness Insurance Path to Success program was designed with you, the Advisor, in mind.
   
   Path to Success: Expert Advice on navigating CI Sales provides you with actionable ideas and scripts that you can implement immediately into your critical illness insurance meetings. CE Credits are available if you review the program in its entirety and complete the quizzes at the end of each section.
   
   Learn more about the CI Path to Success Program
   Next steps:
   If you have any questions or are interested in getting access to this program, please reach out to your Regional Sales Manager directly.
   
   Enhancements to our Critical Illness Insurance product EquiLiving®
   The timing couldn’t be better for connecting with your Regional Sales Manager to gain access to this program, as we have made recent enhancements to our Critical Illness product that will help you offer more options to clients. We’ve enhanced our EquiLiving plans and riders with:
   
   •  20 pay options with coverage to age 75 or coverage for life
   •  Support from Cloud DX to help monitor a client’s well-being from treatment to recovery
   •  Added Acquired Brain Injury as a covered critical condition 
   •  30-day survival period removed for all non-cardiovascular covered conditions
   •  No age restriction to claim for Loss of Independent Existence (LOIE)
   •  Adult Covered Conditions definitions updated to 2018 CLHIA definitions
   •  Increased the number of Early Detection Benefit covered conditions from 4 to 8
   •  And so much more …
   
   Contact your Regional Sales Manager to get set up in the program and learn about other CE accredited presentations happening each week. 
7. Supporting plan members affected by the British Columbia and Northwest Territories wildfires

   Wildfires across Canada are disrupting the lives of many Canadians. During this difficult time, Equitable Life is providing additional support to help affected clients and plan members.

   Prescription refills

   Plan members who have been evacuated and/or lost their medication due to the wildfires will be able to make early refills until September 17, 2023, through TELUS Health, our pharmacy benefit manager.

   Replacement of medical or dental equipment and appliances

   Plan members who need to replace eligible medical or dental equipment or appliances due to the wildfires should first call 1.800.265.4556 to confirm coverage.

   Disability or other benefit cheques

   Plan members receiving disability benefits or other benefit reimbursements via cheques can visit www.equitable.ca/go/digital for instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit. It just takes a few minutes. Plan members can also call us at 1.800.265.4556 if they need help, a replacement cheque or assistance arranging a different mailing address.

   Mental health support

   Unpredictable, large-scale natural disasters can cause people to experience intense reactions, putting a lot of pressure on their mental health. Having coping mechanisms to deal with the current crisis can be a huge help. Any Equitable Life plan member who needs mental health support can visit Homeweb.ca/equitable to access online resources or contact Homewood at 1.888.707.2115.  

   For plan sponsors who have purchased Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), their plan members also have access to confidential counselling services. The EFAP provides plan members with 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. 
    

   Plan Administrator support

   We realize that the fires are having a profound impact on regular business operations in B.C. and N.W.T. If you have clients that are unable to carry out day-to-day plan administration, they can call us at 1.800.265.4556. They can also contact their Customer Relationship Specialist for support.
    
   This is a challenging time for advisors, plan sponsors and plan members. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as appropriate. 

   Questions?

   If you need more information, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

8. [pdf] Benefits of segregated funds in a TFSA
9. Update: Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefit Extension As it proposed in its 2022 Budget, the federal government has confirmed it is extending the Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits period from 15 weeks to 26 weeks later this year. The official implementation date and details have not yet been confirmed by the government and we will share further details once they are available. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know.
    
   We will not require or implement any changes to our disability plan designs based on this extension. However, plan sponsors may wish to amend their short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) plans and policies to align with the new 26-week EI period. 

   Impact to short-term disability (STD) benefits integrated with EI

   Plan sponsors with EI-integrated STD may wish to adjust their benefits to line up with the new 26-week extension. 

   Impact to plans with no STD benefits

   For plan sponsors who do not offer STD, they have the option of adjusting their LTD plans to the new 26-week elimination period if members claim EI prior to LTD. This adjustment would help to avoid the plan member receiving disability and EI payments at the same time and potentially being required to return funds due to overpayment. 

   Considerations for plan sponsors

   Plan sponsors who amend their STD or LTD policies to align with the new 26-week EI period should note that there may be inadvertent delays to their employees’ return to work. While collecting EI, injured or ill employees do not benefit from our early intervention services or rigorous claims management practices that could help them get back to work sooner. So, by delaying the availability of STD or LTD coverage, the advantages that these programs are intended to provide could also be delayed. 

   Impact to Premium Reduction Program (PRP)

   The Premium Reduction Program (PRP) allows employers with eligible short-term disability plans to pay lower EI premiums. The eligibility criteria have not changed at this time. The government plans to review the PRP in 2024.

   Questions

   If you have questions about these changes or what they mean for your clients’ disability plans, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
    
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