591 results for enter site PROBLEMGO.com Paying to get my brother out of jail before court Cork

1. Let’s “Talk Money”: Helping clients feel better about their finances This November is Financial Literacy Month, and the theme is simple but powerful: “Talk Money.” The goal is simple—get Canadians talking about money. When people open up about budgeting, debt, or financial stress, they feel more confident and less alone.
   
   Money and mental health are connected
   Many Canadians feel stressed about money. That stress can affect their mental health. As an advisor, you can help by starting honest conversations. When clients talk about their worries, they’re more likely to take action and feel better.
   
   How advisors can help
   You don’t need to be a therapist. Just listen, ask questions, and offer simple steps. Here are a few ideas:
   
    
   • Ask how clients feel about their finances.
   • Share stories of others who overcame money stress.
   • Celebrate small wins, like setting a budget or saving a little more.
   • Use Equitable’s online learning modules to equip yourself with knowledge to help support client goals.
   • Watch our on-demand webcast: How to stay grounded in a changing world: Supporting financial and mental well-being
   
   Let’s talk money
   Talking about money helps people feel stronger and more in control. This month, let’s help clients open up, take action, and build better habits—financially and emotionally.
   
   If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your Director, Investment Sales.
2. Wrapping up 2025 with our new term rates!
   Among the most competitive in the market
   Equitable^® is wrapping up 2025 with our new term rates effective November 22, 2025. Many Canadians view life insurance as unaffordable, with 34% saying cost is the top reason they go without coverage.¹ Our new term rates are designed to help address these concerns. They offer flexible and affordable options to help clients get the protection they need.    
   ¹ Investment Executive at Survey finds affordability, lack of trust, barriers to buying life insurance | Investment Executive 
   
   What’s New:
   Updated premium rates for Term coverage, included on:
   • Term 10, Term 20 and Term 30/65 plans
   • Including Term Riders on Critical Illness (CI), Whole Life (WL), Equitable Generations^® Universal Life (UL) and Equation Generation^® IV Universal Life
   
   View our Transition Rules for all the details on processing your applications. 
   
   
    
    
   New term rate highlights*:
   *Effective November 22, 2025. Our term rates ranked among the best on LifeGuide when compared against top carriers in key markets.
   
   Check out our new term rates for yourself. Run quotes monthly (versus annually) for our best term rates.
   
   Contact your Equitable wholesaler today to learn more!
   
   
   
    
3. [pdf] Equitable GIF Product at a glance
4. Market Commentary July 2025 Key Takeaways
   
   • Markets were very volatile in April to start Q2 but calmed as the quarter progressed. Volatility was driven mostly by headlines about tariffs, but other fiscal policy developments also had an impact.
   • Equity markets sold off sharply at the start of the quarter, continuing Q1’s weakness. Markets rebounded sharply once worst-case fears over tariffs eased. The markets continued to rally through the quarter as trade negotiations progressed. Stronger-thanexpected corporate earnings also boosted markets. Despite the shaky start to the quarter, most global equity markets set new all-time highs in Q2.
   • Canadian bond markets delivered slightly negative returns in Q2. Weak performance was driven by rising interest rates, which outweighed the impact of tighter credit spreads. Higher interest rates hurt the performance of longer-term bonds most. 
   • Both the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve adopted a wait-and-see approach. They each held rates steady during Q2, awaiting greater clarity on the impacts of tariffs on both growth and inflation before considering further cuts.
   
   Economic and Market Update

   Economic Summary: Most indicators of economic activity in the U.S. continued to expand at a decent pace. However, GDP data for the first quarter came in weaker than expected, as higher imports ahead of anticipated tariffs and weaker spending by consumers weighed on Q1 GDP. That said, GDP growth is expected to bounce back in Q2. Tariffs will likely continue to be an evolving story, with potential impacts on both economic growth and inflation. Those impacts will remain uncertain until trade agreements have been finalized.
   
   

   In early April, President Trump announced larger-than-expected reciprocal tariffs, with the impact most notable on trade with China. However, progress followed with a 90-day pause in tariff implementation. The U.S. then reached trade agreements with the UK, China, and Vietnam. Negotiations with other major trade partners are ongoing. The conflict between Israel and Iran raised inflation concerns, due mostly to the possibility of higher oil prices. Those concerns eased following a ceasefire. Congress passed Trump’s tax cut and spending bill, raising concerns about its potential impact on the U.S. fiscal burden. Meanwhile, U.S. labour market conditions remain resilient, with the unemployment rate remaining low. Inflation has eased slightly but remains above the Federal Reserve’s target. Amid heightened uncertainty, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 4.25%–4.50% at both of its meetings in Q2. Chair Jerome Powell stated that the Fed is “well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”
   
   In Canada, tariffs and trade-related uncertainty continue to weigh on the economy. A pullforward of exports and inventory accumulation ahead of tariffs helped keep first-quarter GDP firm, but growth is expected to slow in the second quarter. The labour market has weakened, particularly in trade-sensitive sectors. Inflation remains within the Bank of Canada’s 1–3% preferred range. However, core CPI remains above the Bank’s preferred 2% target. Canada’s fiscal deficit is expected to widen as Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to fast-track infrastructure development and increase defense spending. Amid ongoing trade uncertainty, the Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.75% during its April and June meetings. Governor Tiff Macklem signaled the Bank’s readiness to cut rates further if economic conditions deteriorate.
   
   
   
   Bond Markets: During Q2, the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index returned -0.6%. Yields for Canadian bonds rose across all maturities over the quarter. That reflected reduced expectations for rate cuts by the Bank of Canada and a higher risk premium on long-term debt. The impact of higher yields on government bonds was offset in part by tightening of credit spreads on provincial and corporate bonds. Overall corporate bonds saw a positive return for the quarter and outperformed government bonds, in part due to the strong recovery in credit spreads that started in late
   April. While corporate issuance slowed considerably in April due to increased trade policy uncertainty, issuance in the Canadian bond markets during May and June were robust. There were 83 deals during Q2 that combined to raise $37 billion for issuers. June 2025 was the 3rd busiest month for issuance on record. We continue to expect higher credit spreads as the U.S. tariffs impact global growth. As such, we have maintained our conservative view with a bias towards shorter corporate bonds but remain ready to invest in longer corporate bonds as valuations become
   attractive.
   
   
   
   Stock Markets – Overview: Having done a round-trip following April tariff announcements, technology, consumer discretionary and industrial companies propelled the U.S. equity market to another record high. The S&P 500 ended the quarter up about 11%, outperforming Canadian and international markets. Canadian equities gained 8.5% in Q2, buoyed by front-loaded demand that benefited the Materials sector, while Financials recovered from a poor Q1. Meanwhile, as risk sentiment stabilized following the 90-day tariff pause and U.S. equities regained momentum, the appeal of the “Sell America” trade diminished. As a result, Europe, Australasia, and the Far East (EAFE) markets finished the quarter with a more modest gain of just over 5%, lagging the sharper
   recovery seen in North America.
   
   
   
   U.S. Equities: The U.S. equity market staged a V-shaped recovery on strong company earnings data in the second quarter. A stable job market and muted inflation reinforced the view of a resilient U.S. economy. At a company level, we observed positive corporate earnings surprises, steady profit margins and better-than-expected forward earnings guidance. Together they underpinned the equity market’s sharp reversal to the upside. Market breadth also improved over the quarter, with strength extending beyond Technology to include Industrials and Financials. That signalled that the market rally was supported by investors’ confidence in the U.S. economy. Furthermore, structural investment trends in artificial intelligence (AI) continued to accelerate, highlighted by rising enterprise capex in data centres. Beyond AI, Circle, a blockchain-based platform that supports stablecoin issuance, tokenized assets, and digital payment infrastructure, conducted a successful IPO. Its share price jumped 485% from its listing price as of quarter-end. On June 17, the U.S. Senate passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, a regulatory framework for use of tokenized assets. While investors wait for the House’s decision, equity price actions suggest that the policy environment is increasingly supportive of blockchain innovation and digital efficiency.
   
   Canadian Equities: Canadian equities posted solid gains in Q2, with Financials overtaking Materials to lead the market higher. Momentum from the Materials sector, which benefited from the pull-forward demand related to U.S. tariff uncertainty, faded toward quarter-end. Meanwhile, cooling inflation and muted domestic growth pushed investors towards highquality, high-dividend-paying companies. Notably, banks significantly outperformed the broader market, as investors favoured their stable corporate fundamentals. Energy surged briefly amid escalating geopolitical tensions, but those gains proved short-lived. In recap, investors in the Canadian market faced slowing resource demand and a stalling domestic economy, which fueled increased interest in high-quality, high-dividend-paying companies. That is a trend we expect to continue going forward.
   
   Bottom line:  Markets remain heavily influenced by sentiment, with U.S. policy developments and ongoing tariff negotiations continuing to cause periodic volatility. However, there is little
   evidence of deterioration in the hard data to date. As such, we continue to anchor our positioning on underlying data rather than market narratives. Looking ahead, the combination of a structurally higher-for-longer interest rate environment and increasingly pro-growth policy backdrop presents selective opportunities. In the U.S., this favours highquality growth stocks, particularly within Technology, where strong balance sheets and long-term thematic tailwinds remain intact. In Canada, Financials, especially the relatively inexpensive banks, present a more compelling opportunity as earlier tailwinds from pullforward demand are beginning to wane. While we remain constructive, we are mindful of elevated equity valuations and continue to closely monitor macro conditions and policy developments for signs of inflection.
   
   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 Hi Analyst, Credit	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.
5. Market Commentary July 2025 Key Takeaways
   
   • Markets were very volatile in April to start Q2 but calmed as the quarter progressed. Volatility was driven mostly by headlines about tariffs, but other fiscal policy developments also had an impact.
   • Equity markets sold off sharply at the start of the quarter, continuing Q1’s weakness. Markets rebounded sharply once worst-case fears over tariffs eased. The markets continued to rally through the quarter as trade negotiations progressed. Stronger-thanexpected corporate earnings also boosted markets. Despite the shaky start to the quarter, most global equity markets set new all-time highs in Q2.
   • Canadian bond markets delivered slightly negative returns in Q2. Weak performance was driven by rising interest rates, which outweighed the impact of tighter credit spreads. Higher interest rates hurt the performance of longer-term bonds most. 
   • Both the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve adopted a wait-and-see approach. They each held rates steady during Q2, awaiting greater clarity on the impacts of tariffs on both growth and inflation before considering further cuts.
   
   Economic and Market Update

   Economic Summary: Most indicators of economic activity in the U.S. continued to expand at a decent pace. However, GDP data for the first quarter came in weaker than expected, as higher imports ahead of anticipated tariffs and weaker spending by consumers weighed on Q1 GDP. That said, GDP growth is expected to bounce back in Q2. Tariffs will likely continue to be an evolving story, with potential impacts on both economic growth and inflation. Those impacts will remain uncertain until trade agreements have been finalized.
   
   

   In early April, President Trump announced larger-than-expected reciprocal tariffs, with the impact most notable on trade with China. However, progress followed with a 90-day pause in tariff implementation. The U.S. then reached trade agreements with the UK, China, and Vietnam. Negotiations with other major trade partners are ongoing. The conflict between Israel and Iran raised inflation concerns, due mostly to the possibility of higher oil prices. Those concerns eased following a ceasefire. Congress passed Trump’s tax cut and spending bill, raising concerns about its potential impact on the U.S. fiscal burden. Meanwhile, U.S. labour market conditions remain resilient, with the unemployment rate remaining low. Inflation has eased slightly but remains above the Federal Reserve’s target. Amid heightened uncertainty, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at 4.25%–4.50% at both of its meetings in Q2. Chair Jerome Powell stated that the Fed is “well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustments to our policy stance.”
   
   In Canada, tariffs and trade-related uncertainty continue to weigh on the economy. A pullforward of exports and inventory accumulation ahead of tariffs helped keep first-quarter GDP firm, but growth is expected to slow in the second quarter. The labour market has weakened, particularly in trade-sensitive sectors. Inflation remains within the Bank of Canada’s 1–3% preferred range. However, core CPI remains above the Bank’s preferred 2% target. Canada’s fiscal deficit is expected to widen as Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to fast-track infrastructure development and increase defense spending. Amid ongoing trade uncertainty, the Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.75% during its April and June meetings. Governor Tiff Macklem signaled the Bank’s readiness to cut rates further if economic conditions deteriorate.
   
   
   
   Bond Markets: During Q2, the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index returned -0.6%. Yields for Canadian bonds rose across all maturities over the quarter. That reflected reduced expectations for rate cuts by the Bank of Canada and a higher risk premium on long-term debt. The impact of higher yields on government bonds was offset in part by tightening of credit spreads on provincial and corporate bonds. Overall corporate bonds saw a positive return for the quarter and outperformed government bonds, in part due to the strong recovery in credit spreads that started in late
   April. While corporate issuance slowed considerably in April due to increased trade policy uncertainty, issuance in the Canadian bond markets during May and June were robust. There were 83 deals during Q2 that combined to raise $37 billion for issuers. June 2025 was the 3rd busiest month for issuance on record. We continue to expect higher credit spreads as the U.S. tariffs impact global growth. As such, we have maintained our conservative view with a bias towards shorter corporate bonds but remain ready to invest in longer corporate bonds as valuations become
   attractive.
   
   
   
   Stock Markets – Overview: Having done a round-trip following April tariff announcements, technology, consumer discretionary and industrial companies propelled the U.S. equity market to another record high. The S&P 500 ended the quarter up about 11%, outperforming Canadian and international markets. Canadian equities gained 8.5% in Q2, buoyed by front-loaded demand that benefited the Materials sector, while Financials recovered from a poor Q1. Meanwhile, as risk sentiment stabilized following the 90-day tariff pause and U.S. equities regained momentum, the appeal of the “Sell America” trade diminished. As a result, Europe, Australasia, and the Far East (EAFE) markets finished the quarter with a more modest gain of just over 5%, lagging the sharper
   recovery seen in North America.
   
   
   
   U.S. Equities: The U.S. equity market staged a V-shaped recovery on strong company earnings data in the second quarter. A stable job market and muted inflation reinforced the view of a resilient U.S. economy. At a company level, we observed positive corporate earnings surprises, steady profit margins and better-than-expected forward earnings guidance. Together they underpinned the equity market’s sharp reversal to the upside. Market breadth also improved over the quarter, with strength extending beyond Technology to include Industrials and Financials. That signalled that the market rally was supported by investors’ confidence in the U.S. economy. Furthermore, structural investment trends in artificial intelligence (AI) continued to accelerate, highlighted by rising enterprise capex in data centres. Beyond AI, Circle, a blockchain-based platform that supports stablecoin issuance, tokenized assets, and digital payment infrastructure, conducted a successful IPO. Its share price jumped 485% from its listing price as of quarter-end. On June 17, the U.S. Senate passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, a regulatory framework for use of tokenized assets. While investors wait for the House’s decision, equity price actions suggest that the policy environment is increasingly supportive of blockchain innovation and digital efficiency.
   
   Canadian Equities: Canadian equities posted solid gains in Q2, with Financials overtaking Materials to lead the market higher. Momentum from the Materials sector, which benefited from the pull-forward demand related to U.S. tariff uncertainty, faded toward quarter-end. Meanwhile, cooling inflation and muted domestic growth pushed investors towards highquality, high-dividend-paying companies. Notably, banks significantly outperformed the broader market, as investors favoured their stable corporate fundamentals. Energy surged briefly amid escalating geopolitical tensions, but those gains proved short-lived. In recap, investors in the Canadian market faced slowing resource demand and a stalling domestic economy, which fueled increased interest in high-quality, high-dividend-paying companies. That is a trend we expect to continue going forward.
   
   Bottom line:  Markets remain heavily influenced by sentiment, with U.S. policy developments and ongoing tariff negotiations continuing to cause periodic volatility. However, there is little
   evidence of deterioration in the hard data to date. As such, we continue to anchor our positioning on underlying data rather than market narratives. Looking ahead, the combination of a structurally higher-for-longer interest rate environment and increasingly pro-growth policy backdrop presents selective opportunities. In the U.S., this favours highquality growth stocks, particularly within Technology, where strong balance sheets and long-term thematic tailwinds remain intact. In Canada, Financials, especially the relatively inexpensive banks, present a more compelling opportunity as earlier tailwinds from pullforward demand are beginning to wane. While we remain constructive, we are mindful of elevated equity valuations and continue to closely monitor macro conditions and policy developments for signs of inflection.
   
   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 Hi Analyst, Credit	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.
6. August 2019 Advisor eNews

   Coming soon:

   Tech updates for plan members

   Technology doesn’t stand still, and neither does your clients' businesses. That’s why we continually invest in technology to make things easier for your clients and their employees.

   Faster claims processing on Equitable EZClaim^® Mobile

   Equitable Life now provides real-time processing of massage therapy, physiotherapy and chiropractor claims submitted via the EZClaim Mobile app.

   That means plan members are able to find out the status of their claim almost instantaneously. And, for approved claims, they will receive payment even sooner - often in as little as 24 hours.

   In order to allow for instantaneous processing and faster payment, plan members will be prompted to enter some additional information including the practitioner’s name, the date of the expense, and the type and amount of the expense, when submitting their claims for these services.

   Equitable Life plan members can submit all types of health and dental claims via EZClaim Mobile, including co-ordination of benefits and Health Care Spending Account claims. Currently, 43% of all claims are submitted through the user-friendly app.

   AS part of our ongoing efforts to improve the mobile claims experience for plan members, we've also added biometric login functionality to allow plan members to sign in to the app using their face or fingerprint. And we've redesigned our landing page on the mobile app to make it easier for plan members to navigate the various features of the app.

   We will be announcing this enhancement to plan members on EquitableHealth.ca

   Introducing InpatProtect:

   Health coverage for employees who are new to Canada

   For a new employee starting to work in Canada, looking after basic health needs can be difficult.

   There’s a waiting period for provincial health coverage, and group benefits plans don’t cover the physician, hospital or emergency services that they or their eligible dependents may need during their initial months in the country. They could end up incurring significant unexpected health expenses.

   That’s why Equitable Life has launched InpatProtect^TM. InpatProtect provides temporary coverage to look after the basic health needs of employees and their eligible dependents during their transition to Canada. Your clients can recruit from outside the country knowing that their employees will have some protection in the event of a medical need, including an emergency.

   For up to 90 days, InpatProtect will cover employees and their eligible dependents for basic services that would normally be reimbursed under provincial health plans, such as:

   • Physician services
     • Prescriptions for medications
     • Diagnosis and treatment for illness or injury
   • Hospital services
     • In-patient services
     • Drugs prescribed and delivered as an inpatient in-hospital
     • Out-patient services
   • Emergency services
     • Ambulance services
   • Emergency dental services

   Contact your Group Marketing Manager or myFlex Sales Manager for more information about this new product from Equitable Life.

   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.

    

    

   ¹ Based on Equitable Life health and dental claims submitted between January 2019 – March 2019
   
   Google Home and Google Assistant are registered trademarks of Google LLC.
   ^® denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada unless otherwise indicated.

7. See why choosing EquiLiving Critical Illness Insurance is the right choice for Ayo’s family
   Ayo’s just returned from maternity leave. Her baby David and her husband are the most cherished people in her life. 
   
   But a neighbour’s cancer diagnosis leaves her wondering how she can protect her family if a serious illness were to affect them. 
   
   Learn why Ayo decided EquiLiving^_® Critical Illness insurance was the right choice for her family.
   
   Watch our new Critical Illness with Equitable Life of Canada video to learn more. View on Vimeo or YouTube.
   
   You can use this video to send to clients before or after meetings to help them understand the benefits of Critical Illness Insurance. Check out our prospecting letter, that you can personalize and send to your clients to tell them about Critical Illness Insurance. 
   
   Plus, visit our Critical Illness product page, then click on the Marketing Materials tab for the latest Critical Illness marketing materials.
   
   Need more information? Please contact your local wholesaler.
   
   
   
   View on Vimeo or YouTube.
   
   
    
   
   ^® and ™ denotes trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
8. Making it easier to claim for Loss of Independent Existence for EquiLiving Critical Illness insuranc We have recently changed the definition of Loss of Independent Existence (LOIE). As a result, the Critical Illness claim criteria has also changed. Before, EquiLiving^® Critical Illness insurance coverage was issued with a definition of LOIE that required clients to have the total inability to do 3 of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Now, clients will only need to give us proof of the total inability to do 2 of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) to submit a claim for LOIE. 
   
   This change makes it easier for clients to claim for this covered critical illness. This change is retroactive to February 2022.
   
   Clients will be sent a notice from us with a personalized endorsement from Equitable Life. This applies to their policy and forms part of their contract. We will approve claims for LOIE as outlined in the endorsement.
   
   LOIE is one of the 26 conditions named as a covered critical illness in an EquiLiving policy or Critical Illness insurance rider on an Equitable Life insurance policy. With a loss of independent existence, some activities of daily living can no longer be done on one’s own. This can happen because of a disease or an injury. 
   
   Want to learn more? See the marketing piece: Understanding the Covered Conditions (1248).  
   
   For more information, reach out to your local wholesaler.
   
   
   ^® denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
9. 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.

10. National Pharmacare (Plan NP) takes effect in B.C. on March 1

    In this issue:

    National Pharmacare (Plan NP) takes effect in B.C. on March 1

    Travel coverage details plan members should know if they’re in or going to Mexico*

    *Indicates content we will share with your clients.

     

     

    National Pharmacare (Plan NP) takes effect in B.C. on March 1

     

    The Province of British Columbia (B.C.) will implement the first phase of the National Pharmacare Act, also known as Bill C64 (Act), on March 1, 2026.

     

    The new program will be called National Pharmacare (Plan NP). The province joins Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, who have already implemented the first phase of their own programs. All three provinces, along with Yukon, signed bilateral pharmacare agreements with the federal government last year.

     

    National Pharmacare (Plan NP) coverage details

     

    The federal government has agreed to provide universal coverage for many diabetes drugs and contraceptives, including deductibles, during the first phase of implementation of the Act. Equitable will no longer cover drugs that are eligible for coverage under Plan NP.

     

    Diabetes devices and supplies are not included in the first phase of plan implementation. However, expanded coverage for certain diabetes-related devices and supplies is expected to begin in B.C. on April 1, 2026.

     

    Since B.C. already offers universal coverage of contraceptives through its provincial pharmacare program, the province is using that portion of the federal funding to cover menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

     

    Many diabetes medications such as metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas and SGLT-2 inhibitors will be fully covered under Plan NP.

     

    Some diabetes medications and MHTs will only be partially covered when the program takes effect. As well, many diabetes medications will continue to require Special Authority through the province.

    
    
    What will Equitable plan members need to do?

     

    Coverage will be provided automatically at the pharmacy counter. Plan members simply need to present a prescription for a covered medication and their Medical Services Plan of B.C. (MSP) card to their pharmacist. If a plan member isn’t fully enrolled in the MSP yet, their pharmacist will help them secure coverage under Plan NP.

     

    The pharmacist will charge the provincial plan directly for the relevant medications. There will be no direct impact to plan members or their experience at the pharmacy for fully covered drugs.
     

    Where do GLP-1 drugs fit in?

     

    GLP-1 agonist drugs will not be covered under Plan NP. Equitable plan members who are prescribed this type of drug to treat diabetes must try a first-line diabetic treatment before we can deem them eligible for coverage of the GLP-1 agonist.

     

    Plan members who are already taking a GLP-1 agonist to treat diabetes will continue to be eligible for coverage. New plan members or plan members with new prescriptions for GLP-1 agonists must provide us proof that shows they’ve tried a first-line diabetic treatment to confirm eligibility—unless we already have a previous record of their insulin use. Proof can be either a past receipt or a claim statement.

     

    Our priority is supporting the best outcomes for plan sponsors and their members. We are working with TELUS Health, our pharmacy benefits manager, to keep you updated as more details become available.

     

    Travel coverage details plan members should know if they’re in or going to Mexico

     

    Plan members with Travel Assist medical emergency coverage included in their benefits plan should keep the following information in mind if they’re planning travel to Mexico or if they’re in the country now.

     

    Due to recent violence in Mexico, the Government of Canada has issued the following travel advice to anyone in or planning to visit the country.

     

    Plan members are not covered if they receive out-of-province services where the Canadian government had issued a warning to avoid all or non‑essential travel before they entered the country.

     

    Plan members should contact Trident Global Assistance, the company that administers our Travel Assist benefits, before departing if they have questions about their coverage or to confirm if they’re covered for travel to their specific destination.

     

    Here’s how plan members can reach the Trident Global Assistance toll-free 24-hour emergency hotline:
     

    • In Canada or the U.S: 1-800-321-9998

    • Elsewhere: Call collect at 519-742-3287

       

    They should be prepared to provide the following information:

    • Name

    • Group policy number

    • Certificate number

    • Government health insurance plan number

       

    If a plan member arrived in Mexico before the travel advisory was issued and are past their day allowance, they should call Trident if they need to have their day maximum extended past the allowable period. 

     

    Equitable’s Travel Assist medical emergency coverage does not include any trip cancellation or trip interruption benefits.

     

    Communicating to plan members

     

    We are making every effort to share this information with affected plan members. Please encourage your clients who have Travel  Assist coverage included in their benefits plan to share this message with their plan members.