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  1. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – March 2022 In this issue: *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
     

    CLHIA launches industry anti-fraud initiative*

    In February, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) announced a new anti-fraud initiative that is using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to further identify and reduce benefits fraud.
     
    Equitable Life is excited to be a part of this important initiative. It will enhance our own fraud detection analytics by using AI to connect the dots across a huge pool of anonymized claims data. This will lead to more investigations and actions to mitigate the impact of fraud on your clients’ plans.
     
    The initiative is being led by the CLHIA and member insurers and is supported by technology provider Shift Technologies. It will be further rolled-out and expanded over the next three years.
     
    Benefits fraud affects more than just insurers. The costs of fraud are felt by employers and their employees as well. We are looking forward to being able to better identify and reduce benefits fraud.
     

    Provincial biosimilar update*

    BC expands its biosimilar initiative
    BC Pharmacare recently announced it is adding two rapid-acting insulins to the list of drugs included in its ongoing initiative to switch patients to biosimilar versions of high-cost biologics. Patients taking Humalog or NovoRapid for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drugs by May 29, 2022 to maintain coverage under the public plan.

    Biologics are drugs that are engineered using living organisms like yeast and bacteria. The first version of a biologic developed is also known as the “originator” biologic. Biosimilars are also biologics. They are highly similar to the originator biologic drugs they are based on, and Health Canada considers them to be equally safe and effective for approved conditions.

    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 Humalog or NovoRapid for plan members in BC. Effective June 1, 2022, claimants currently taking Humalog or NovoRapid will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drugs to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan and their BC Pharmacare plan.

    We will be communicating this change to plan administrators later this week. And we will be communicating with affected claimants in early April to allow 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.

    Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories introduce biosimilar initiatives
    The governments of Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories each recently announced they are launching biosimilar initiatives to switch patients from certain originator biologic drugs to biosimilar versions of the drugs.

    Patients in Nova Scotia using affected originator biologic drugs will have until February 2023 to switch to a biosimilar version of their medications in order to maintain coverage under the province’s public drug plans. Patients in the Northwest Territories will have until June 20, 2022, to switch.

    Equitable Life® actively monitors and investigates all biosimilar policy changes and the ongoing evolution of biosimilar drugs entering Canada.  We will keep you informed of any impact on private drug plans and how we are responding.
     

    Quebec decreasing insurance premium tax*

    The Quebec Government has announced that it plans to decrease its Insurance Premium Tax rates effective April 1, 2022. The premium tax rates for group life and accident and sickness insurance are expected to decrease from 3.48% to 3.3%. The new tax rates will be applied to premiums for the billing period beginning on or after April 1, 2022.
     

    Coming soon: A survey to understand how we can better serve your clients’ needs*

    We are committed to providing your clients and their plan members with industry-leading service. We’ve introduced several enhancements over the past year to make it easier to do business with us. And we’re continually looking for ways to improve.
     
    In the coming weeks, we will conduct a survey of your clients to help us understand how we can better serve them. On March 28, we will send plan administrators an email with a link to the survey. The survey will remain open until the end of the day on April 11 and will take between five and 10 minutes to complete. Please encourage your clients to participate. Their feedback will be confidential, and their responses will help us improve our service and ensure we’re meeting their expectations. We may also follow up with plan administrators directly to address any concerns they’ve identified.
     
    We know your clients’ time is valuable. So, each plan administrator who completes the survey will be entered into a random draw for a chance to win one of 25 prepaid gift cards for $25.
     

    Remind your clients’ plan members in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to register for Pharmacare*

    If your clients have plan members in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan, the provincial government offers a Pharmacare program to support prescription drug costs.  Plan members in these provinces must register for their provincial Pharmacare program to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life drug plan.
     
    Registration is easy! We will send two registration reminder messages directly to plan members’ pharmacists and post them on their Explanation of Benefits. We’ve also created a step-by-step guide that your clients can share with their plan members.
     
    English version
    French version
     
    For more information about the provincial Pharmacare programs, including how plan members can register, please visit:
     
    For British Columbia residents: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents  
     
    For Manitoba residents: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare/apply.html
     
    For Saskatchewan residents: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/prescription-drug-plans-and-health-coverage/extended-benefits-and%20drug-plan/drug-cost-assistance#eligibility
     
     
  2. Tax impacts of the Canadian Dental Care Plan for your clients

    Tax impacts of the Canadian Dental Care Plan for your clients*


    Earlier this year, the government shared its progress on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). 

    The CDCP will be available to Canadians with an annual family income of less than $90,000 who do not have dental benefits. Co-pays will be waived for eligible Canadians with a family income of less than $70,000. 

    Canadians who have access to private dental coverage are not eligible for the CDCP. This means that your clients must now report on T4s/T4As if dental coverage** was available on December 31 of the reporting tax year for:
    • Employees,
    • Employees’ spouses and/or dependents,
    • Former employees, and
    • Spouses of deceased employees.
    **Potential dental coverage includes Health Care Spending Accounts.

    This new tax reporting requirement is mandatory starting with the 2023 tax year. Employee tax slips will include new boxes for employers to complete:
    • Box 45 (T4): Employer Offered Dental Benefits. This new box will be mandatory.
    • Box 015 (T4A): Payer Offered Dental Benefits. This new box will be mandatory if plan sponsors report in Box 016, Pension or Superannuation. The box will otherwise be optional.
    Your clients should complete the boxes using the code system below. They should choose the appropriate code based on whether Dental coverage was available to the plan member – not whether the plan member has chosen to participate in the coverage.  For example, if a plan member has waived coverage or has chosen not to participate in the plan, they would still have access to coverage.
    • Code 1: The plan member has no access to dental care insurance or coverage of dental services of any kind.
    • Code 2: Only the plan member has access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind.
    • Code 3: The plan member, their spouse and their dependents have access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind. 
    • Code 4: Only the plan member and their spouse have access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind. 
    • Code 5: Only the plan member and their dependents have access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind. 
    Your clients can find further information about completing tax slips for employees on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website:

    Reports for dependents

    We have a report available for plan members who have enrolled their dependents in benefits coverage. Your clients can contact their local service team representative to receive a copy of the report. We are working to make it available on our Advisor and PA websites.
     

    Questions

    For guidance on your tax slips and reporting obligations, please encourage your clients to contact their accountant, payroll provider or tax advisor.
     

    Supporting plan members affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict*


    Traumatic events continue to unfold in the Middle East. Enduring ongoing news of conflict and suffering could challenge many Canadians. During this difficult time, Equitable encourages affected clients and plan members to access the mental health support they need. 


    Support available to all Equitable plan members

    Large-scale traumatic news events can cause people to experience intense reactions. This puts a lot of strain 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.  
     

    Support available to plan members with the Homewood Health EFAP

    For your clients that have purchased Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), remind them that 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 and their dependent family members will receive appropriate, timely support for the issue they’re dealing with. 
      

    Questions? 

    If you need more information, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex account executive.

    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients. 
  3. [pdf] Pivotal Select Fund Facts
  4. New year tune-up for Equimax participating whole life
    It’s a new year and time for an Equimax® tune up! We have made some exciting changes for new sales of Equimax Estate Builder® and Equimax Wealth Accumulator® effective February 11, 2023.

    These exciting enhancements make Equimax even more robust, simpler and cost effective, to ensure it continues to be the preferred participating whole life solution for clients and advisors alike.

    Watch our informative video to learn more.
     
    Check out our Equimax splash page for complete details on all the enhancements, our transition rules, and much more.
     








    What’s new?
    • All new children’s policies will now be issued as non-smoker for life – we will no longer request a non-smoker declaration for new children's policies.
    • We have also removed the policy fees on new Equimax sales, reducing total premium payments – allowing clients to buy even more coverage for the same payment.
    But there’s more to our Equimax tune-up!
    The following enhancements add more value, making it easier for you to recommend Equimax as your preferred whole life solution.
    • Monthly Excelerator Deposit Option(EDO) payments and EDO payments received off anniversary will now buy more paid-up additional insurance,
    • Dividends earned on EDO payment paid-up additions, and credited on the base policy, can now buy even more paid-up additions,
    • New clients now have the option to elect individual policies on joint last to die (JLTD) plans if their personal situation changes,
    • We have also changed the way we calculate monthly premiums – resulting in lower premium payments across the board,
    • And we have added our KIND™ benefit program to Equimax, as we did for our newest Generations Universal Life  solution last September – making it easier for families and beneficiaries at claim time.
    • And, finally, we are introducing some new sales illustration features, a Web-based software and more to help you market Equimax!
    Visit our splash page and watch our informative video to learn more and start selling the enhanced Equimax today.
     
    Plus, visit our Equimax product page on EquiNet®, then click on the Marketing Materials tab for the latest Equimax marketing materials.
     
    Need more information? Please contact your local wholesaler.
     
     ® and ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  5. Welcome to Cindy Shirley our new Vice President, Chief Underwriter & Claims Today, we are pleased to share some exciting news with you. Cindy Shirley, a seasoned industry expert, has joined Equitable Life® as our new Vice President, Chief Underwriter & Claims.

    With over 20 years of experience in risk selection within the Canadian individual life insurance sector, Cindy brings a wealth of underwriting knowledge to our organization. Her impressive background in individual and data-driven underwriting is a perfect fit for Equitable’s Individual Leadership team.

    Cindy's passion for Underwriting is contagious and she looks forward to supporting you, our valued advisors – and our clients. Her exceptional leadership is complemented by her expertise in both high-volume underwriting and the customized large-case market – areas of increased focus for us at Equitable in the coming year.

    We genuinely believe that Cindy’s addition to our team will not only enhance Equitable, but also strengthen our partnership with you.

    Thank you for your business and the continued trust you place in Equitable Life!

    Warm regards,
    Donna Carbell | EVP, Individual Insurance Division
     


    ® denotes a registered trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
     
  6. Online banking makes RSP season easier
    March 1, 2021 is the deadline for clients to make Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) contributions within the first 60 days and that date is quickly approaching! Why not alleviate some stress by having your clients make their deposits using online banking?

    To get started with online banking, clients simply log in to their online bank account and select the option to add a new bill/payee and search for Equitable Life Savings Plan. The Equitable Life savings plan policy number will serve as the account number.

    Clients that complete their deposits using online banking don’t have to stress about mailing a cheque. Or worry about whether the money will make it to head office in time for the deadline. Deposits are applied based on the investment direction on file.

    Deposits can be made to RSPs as well as Tax-Free Savings Accounts and non-registered accounts. The minimum deposit is $50 per fund and $500 per Guaranteed Deposit Account (GDA).

    To learn more, click here. More questions? Reach out to your local Regional Investment Sales Manager.
     
  7. New rules in effect for all Quebec applications The Quebec Regulatory Tribunal (AMF) made an important decision about selling insurance products to Quebec residents. As a result, Equitable® has changed its licensing rules for all future sales to clients in Quebec. 

    Effective on November 28, 2024, you must be licensed in Quebec to submit an application for a client who lives in Quebec. This requirement applies to all insurance and investment products.

    Regardless of where the application is signed, if you meet with a client whose primary residence is in Quebec, you must be licensed in Quebec to submit on the client’s behalf. 

    If you are not licensed in Quebec, you will need to get licensed in Quebec for applications for Quebec clients to be processed. 

    What about licensing for clients outside of Quebec? 

    In all cases, we encourage you to be licensed in the province where a client lives to be able to do business or provide ongoing service.




    Equitable is committed to providing solutions and service that is in the best interests of clients and advisors alike. We appreciate your continued support.

    Questions?

    Your Equitable Wholesaler is here to help. 

    You may also reach out to Advisor Services for more details. Email eastern-service@equitable.ca or call 1-800-668-4095.



    ® or TM denote trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  8. Equitable Life's RSP Contest: Grand prize winners celebrate a future filled with possibilities! The Savings & Retirement team at Equitable Life recently celebrated the successful conclusion of their recent RSP contest with a special cheque presentation to Equitable Life client, Kavitaben Rathod, and her World Financial Group (WFG) advisor, Kinnari Patel, who were both thrilled to be selected as the grand prize winners.

    The Grow Your Future contest ran from January 1 to March 1, 2023, and offered clients and advisors a chance to win big by making RSP contributions. It was a hit with clients like Kavitaben as it provided them with a compelling reason to work with their advisors to build their wealth. Clients who made a deposit into an Equitable Life RSP policy between January 1 and March 1, 2023, had the chance to win the $5,000 grand prize. When Kavitaben won the grand prize, her advisor Kinnari won $1,000 as well.

    Alex Lucero, Regional Investment Sales Manager, Greater Toronto Area, met with both Kinnari and Kavitaben to present the cheque and took some photos to commemorate the occasion. The collaborative effort put in by the Equitable Life team was highly appreciated.

    Kavitaben expressed her sincere gratitude, sharing how surprised, excited, and delighted she was to be chosen as the grand prize winner. She described the experience as “an amazing feeling and our best day in Canada! It was a really fortunate moment for me”.

    Kinnari also expressed her appreciation to Equitable Life, Alex, and the entire WFG team for the proud moment and shared that the experience gave her “motivation and inspiration in her future work duties”.

    Equitable Life's commitment to offering products, services, and choices that best suit clients' needs was evident through the contest. Clients saw contest messaging through social media and equitable.ca, while advisors saw it on the EquiNet advisor website, through emails, and MGA and WFG newsletters.
     
    Congratulations to everyone who supported the contest and helped make it a success!

    Picture1Winners-(1).jpgPicture2Winners-(1).jpg

    Date posted: April 19, 2023 
     
  9. [pdf] Equinet FAQ
  10. EquiNet-FAQ