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  1. COVID-19 Group Benefits FAQ
  2. Passkey: The fastest, safest way to log in to Client Access
    We’ve upgraded the Client Access® portal to make access easier and more secure.

    What’s new?
    • Passkey: The easiest way to log in
    Passkey is now available across all Equitable portals. With passkey, clients can log in quickly and securely using biometrics like face or fingerprint recognition, eliminating the need for passwords. 
    • Extra protection for email/password users
    For clients who continue to use their email and password, extra security may be required. Clients may be prompted to enter a one-time passcode sent to their email, ensuring only authorized access.

    What you need to know:
    • Clients sign in to Client Access the same way you do on EquiNet, making it easier to support your clients.
    • “Forgot email” is available to help clients recover the email they need to log in.
    • Passkey setup is easy and safe. Just follow the prompts when you  login. Watch the video to learn how to create a passkey.
  3. April 2024 eNews

    In this issue:

    • Competitive – and easy – benefits plans for your small business clients
    • Simplifying benefits enrolment for your clients*
    • NEW time-off tracking tool from HRdownloads*
    • Focus on benefits fraud: Protecting your clients’ plans from abuse*
    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients who receive these benefits.
     

    Competitive – and easy – benefits plans for your small business clients

    Supporting your small business clients can be a challenge. It’s tough to find a competitively-priced benefits plan with the features they want. Small business owners may also need more of your time – especially if this is their first benefits plan.
     
    That’s why we created Equitable EZBenefits™, a benefits solution designed with the needs of small businesses in mind. With a range of plan design options and valuable embedded services for plan sponsors and plan members, EZBenefits is available for groups with 2 to 25 employees. And to make things simpler for you, we’ve created an Advisor Concierge Service exclusively for EZBenefits. Whether you have a question about submitting a quote request for a new client or an issue with an in-force client, our Concierge Service is your go-to resource for EZBenefits support.  

    Don’t have any EZBenefits clients yet?

    To learn more about EZBenefits, watch our video to learn more or view our brochure.

    Simplifying benefits enrolment for your clients*

    Navigating the benefits enrolment period can be overwhelming – for you, your clients and their employees. It’s difficult to ensure all plan members complete the necessary paperwork before the enrolment deadline. 

    That’s why we offer our secure Online Plan Member Enrolment tool at no extra cost to plan sponsors. The tool simplifies the onboarding process for your clients and their plan members by eliminating the need for paper enrolment forms.
     
    It also makes enrolment faster and easier for your clients by:

    • Reducing errors and rework that can occur due to spelling mistakes or missing information on paper forms; and
    • Sending automatic enrolment reminders to plan members, resulting in fewer late applicants. 
    Our user-friendly interface allows plan members to:
    • Enrol in their benefits plan in just minutes from their computer or mobile device;
    • Easily enter all their enrolment information, including dependent details, banking information for direct deposit of claim payments and details for coordination of benefits; and
    • Designate their beneficiary electronically. 

    Ready to share our Online Plan Enrolment Tool with your clients? Get them started with these helpful resources:

    To learn more about how Online Plan Member Enrolment can simplify benefits enrolment for your clients, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Account Executive.

    NEW time-off tracking tool from HRdownloads*

    Through our partnership with HRdownloads®, EZBenefits clients now have complimentary access to Timetastic —a time-off tracking tool that can make it easier to manage employee vacation time, sick days and more.
     
    Timetastic integrates seamlessly with HRdownloads and includes a mobile app to help manage time-off requests from any mobile device.
     
    To see Timetastic in action, check out this demo.
     
    EZBenefits also includes other helpful resources and tools from HRdownloads that can make daily human resources tasks easier, including:
    • A robust, award-winning HR management platform (HRIS);
    • HR documents, templates, compliance resources and articles; and
    • A live HR advice helpline. 
    All of our other Equitable group benefits clients can get a 10% discount on HRdownloads services. Visit the link below or contact your Account Executive for more information.

    Learn more about accessing HRdownloads.

    Focus on benefits fraud: protecting your clients’ plans from abuse*

    According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), benefits fraud costs insurers and plan sponsors millions of dollars each year, which can lead to increased premium costs.
     

    Resources for your clients

    Both plan administrators and plan members play a role in preventing benefits abuse. So, we’ve compiled some resources you can share with your clients to help them understand what benefits fraud is and how to prevent it: Encourage your clients to educate their plan members about the potential consequences of benefits fraud, including losing their benefits, losing their job and even jail time. 

    How we’re fighting benefits fraud

    Our Investigative Claims Unit (ICU) works to detect and eliminate benefits fraud. We use a variety of investigative techniques, including CLHIA-led industry tools to detect and eliminate benefits fraud: 
    • Joint Provider Fraud Investigation Program: A robust program that allows insurers to collaborate on fraud investigations that affect multiple insurers;
    • Data Pooling Program: An initiative that pools data between insurers and uses advanced artificial intelligence to further identify and reduce benefits fraud; and
    • Provider Alert Registry: A registry that allows insurers to view the results of other insurers’ anti-fraud investigations into specific practitioners. 
    To learn more about benefits fraud and Equitable’s commitment to protecting our benefits plans, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Account Executive.
  4. Launch
  5. SMS is Available for Individual Insurance Application Updates If you haven’t opted in to receive your client's application status via text message, give it a try on your next application. 

    When you submit a client’s application, you can opt-in to receive text message updates for your new business applications. No need to log in to your advisor portal to know exactly what is going on with a case.
     
    Once you opt-in to receive text messages, you will receive short text updates for your new business applications. That’s a text message when:
    • The application is received,
    • Equitable Life has made a decision,
    • The policy is ready for delivery, and
    • The commissions have been triggered.
    Please note, this number is not monitored for incoming texts. Please contact Customer Service with any questions.

    In addition to these messages, Equitable Life will continue to send proactive emails detailing outstanding requirements.

    Be sure to opt-in to text messages when you complete your next application on EZComplete®.

     

    We’ve recently made a number of changes to make doing business with us easy. Learn more about SMS and other ways we are making it easy to do business with us.
     

      
    ® denotes a registered trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
     
  6. New “Update Payment” feature for banking changes has launched! Great news! Equitable® has launched a new self-serve "Update Payment" feature in Client Access and on EquiNet®. This new online process enables clients and advisors to easily submit key banking change requests for eligible insurance policies*, with no need to complete a physical form.

    What’s new?

    A new "Update Payment" feature is now available on Client Access and on EquiNet under Policy Inquiry. It allows clients (and advisors) to easily submit requests for the following three transactions online:

    1.  STOP pre-authorized payments.

    2.  RESUME pre-authorized payments on overdue accounts.

    3.  CHANGE which bank we withdraw money from.




    The new "Update Payment" feature replaces the previous "Edit" button in Client Access. The old banking change options are still available in the client’s Profile section. They can be used to request a change to the payment withdrawal date, as that option is not yet available with the new Update Payment feature. 

    How it works!

    When a change is requested using the new Update Payment feature, our Operations team receives it online.  They will review and process the changes within three business days, as per Equitable’s current service standards. 

    The Update Payment feature in Client Access is a self-serve process. However, if a client prefers, their advisor or an Equitable Customer Service associate can assist them by submitting the request on their behalf. Clients will be asked to sign to approve any such requests that are submitted by someone other than the owner of the policy.

    *The Update Payment transactions are only available for eligible policies: those that have not lapsed, are not on Automatic Premium Loan, and are not owned by a corporation or other entity.

    We trust that these digital enhancements will help make the client and advisor experience even simpler and more efficient.

    Need more information? Please contact your Equitable wholesaler.

    ® or TM denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  7. And the Equitable FHSA Contests winners are... Equitable® is proud to be the first insurance company to offer a First Home Savings Account (FHSA) to Canadians.  
     
    Since launch in September 2023, we have received an incredible response to Equitable’s FHSA, available on Pivotal Select™ Investment Class (75/75) and Pivotal Select Estate Class (75/100).
     
    As part of this historic launch, we offered contests for clients to win $8,000 towards their 2024 FHSA contribution, with their advisor winning $2,000. We’ve now completed the draws and are thrilled to announce the following winners:
     
    January 16, 2024, draw:
    Client: Jagan A., ON
    Advisor: Krupa P., ON
     
    February 13, 2024, draw:
    Client: Pawandeep K., ON
    Advisor: Jaskaranjit S., ON
     
    Congratulations to our winners! It warms our hearts to know we are helping Canadians save for their first home.  
     
    From all of us at Equitable, thank you for your trust and partnership.
     
    ® or ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.

    Date Posted: March 13, 2024
  8. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – May 2020

    In this issue:

    *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.

  9. New Online Policy Loan Form
    Advisors will now have access to a new digital policy loan form on EquiNet™.

    On eligible policies, you can launch a customized policy loan form through the Values tab in Policy Inquiry. (login required)

    This form is quick and intuitive. You tell us the loan amount, how your client wants to receive the funds, then confirm your client’s contact info and submit! Once your client signs, it is sent for review and processing within our current service standards.

    This is the first form to be digitalized and we plan to continue this work with more forms later this year.


    ® and ™ denotes trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  10. 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.