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  1. [pdf] When it is time to convert your RSP to a RIF
  2. [pdf] Tax-free money does exist, if you know where to look.
  3. February 2023 eNews

    Responding to Nova Scotia’s biosimilar switch initiative

    We are changing coverage for some biologic drugs in Nova Scotia in response to the province’s biosimilar initiative. These changes will help protect your clients’ plans from additional drug costs that may result from this new government policy while providing access to equally safe and effective lower-cost biosimilars. 

    Nova Scotia’s provincial biosimilar initiative

    Announced in February 2022, the Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative ends coverage of seven biologic drugs for residents enrolled in Pharmacare programs.

    Pharmacare patients in the province using these drugs will be required to switch to biosimilar versions of these drugs by February 3, 2023, in order to maintain their Nova Scotia Pharmacare coverage. 

    Equitable Life’s response

    To ensure this provincial change doesn’t result in your clients’ plans paying additional and avoidable drug costs, we are changing coverage in Nova Scotia for most biologic drugs included in the provincial initiative.

    Beginning June 1, 2023, plan members in the province will no longer be eligible for most originator biologic drugs if they have a condition for which Health Canada has approved a lower cost biosimilar version of the drug.** These plan members will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan.  

    Can my client maintain coverage of these biologic drugs?

    Traditional groups who wish to opt out of this change and maintain coverage of these originator biologics for Nova Scotia plan members can submit a policy amendment. Amendments must be submitted no later than April 1, 2023. Advisors with myFlex Benefits clients who wish to maintain coverage of these originator biologics for Nova Scotia plan members should speak to their myFlex Sales Manager to confirm their eligibility to opt out of this change.

    Groups that choose to maintain coverage of these originator biologics for existing claimants will also maintain coverage for any originator biologics that we subsequently add to our Nova Scotia biosimilar initiative.  

    Will this change impact my clients’ rates?

    The rate impact of this change in coverage will be relatively insignificant. Any cost savings associated with the change will be factored in at renewal.

    If plan sponsors opt out of these changes and maintain coverage for the originator biologics, it may result in a rate increase. Any rate adjustment will be applied at renewal.

    Communicating this change to plan members

    We will inform any affected plan members in April of the need to switch their medications so that they have ample time to change their prescriptions and avoid any interruptions in treatment or coverage. 

    What is the difference between biologics and biosimilars?

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

    Questions?

    If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

    **The list of affected drugs is dynamic and will change as Nova Scotia includes more biologic drugs in its biosimilar initiative, as new biosimilars come onto the market, and as we make changes in drug eligibility.
     

    Changes to New Brunswick drug interchangeability rules

    We are introducing changes to help ensure that your clients with voluntary or mandatory generic pricing for their drug plans will benefit more from the cost savings of these two features, regardless of the province where the drugs are dispensed.

    Currently, when determining whether a lower-cost alternative is available for a brand-name drug, most insurers only consider drugs that the provincial drug plan identifies as interchangeable.

    However, the public drug plan in New Brunswick does not identify a drug as interchangeable if the drug is not listed on its formulary – even if Health Canada has deemed the drug interchangeable.

    As a result, plans with mandatory or voluntary generic pricing have continued to reimburse some drugs in New Brunswick based on the cost of the brand-name drug, even if a lower-cost generic alternative is available.

    Effective March 20, 2023, if your clients have drug plans with mandatory or voluntary generic pricing, we will adjudicate any drug claims in New Brunswick using the lowest cost alternative that Health Canada approves as bioequivalent. This will occur even if the public drug plan has not identified the drug as interchangeable.

    To benefit from this more robust drug plan control, plan sponsors must have mandatory or voluntary generic pricing in place.

    For more information about this change or about implementing mandatory or voluntary generic pricing for your clients, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
     

    New template: plan members eligible for additional coverage

    Often, based on salary, some plan members may become eligible to apply for extra Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Short Term Disability or Long Term Disability coverage. If this occurs, your clients receive a notification from Group Benefits Administration. We have now developed a template that your clients can provide to applicable plan members if they become eligible for extra coverage. The template makes it simpler for your clients to pass on these details to their plan members efficiently.

    The new template is available for download under the Quick Links section of EquitableHealth.ca. It is a fillable PDF form that your clients can complete and provide to their plan members when necessary. The document is called Over the Non-Evidence Limit for Plan Members Notification.

    If you have any questions about the template, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
  4. [pdf] Gradual Inheritance Strategy
  5. Getting a tax refund is exciting, but should it be?
    Do clients know that when a tax refund is issued, it means they are giving the government an interest-free loan? If a client receives a tax refund, it may mean the client’s employer is withholding too much tax.  Here’s how to change that.

    The client can complete and submit Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) form T1213 (Request to Reduce Tax Deductions at Source).

    The client will indicate which regular deductions and non-refundable tax credits to qualify for. These would include things like regular Registered Retirement Savings Plans contributions, childcare expenses, etc. When approved by the CRA, the client will see more money on every pay. A client might even want to make this request to reduce the tax withheld if a large bonus or vacation pay is anticipated.

    Encourage clients to use the additional cash flow to increase monthly contributions, support a Retirement Savings Plan or Tax-Free Savings Account or repay an investment loan. Increasing savings each year – even by a small amount – can have a substantial impact on retirement savings. For additional questions, contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager.
  6. Important information regarding use of the form 350 Application for Life and/or Critical Illness Ins

    As of February 12, 2022 the new version of the form 350 (2022/02/12) was available on EquiNet® (Individual Insurance>Forms), and can be ordered from our Supply department using form 1390 Supply Order Form (Life and Health)

    To apply for the new 10 pay premium option on Equimax Estate Builder, or the new EquiLiving plans or riders, the new version of the form 350 (2022/02/12) Application for Life and/or Critical Illness Insurance must be used. The new version of the 350 will include the option to select the new features.

    We will not accept the 350 (2021/04/02) version of the application with a hand-written note indicating the new 10 pay premium option, or the new EquiLiving plans or riders.

    After March 31, 2022, we will no longer accept the 2021/04/02 or earlier version of the 350 application for any life or critical illness products.

  7. [pdf] G2 - Application for Non-Underwriting change
  8. 2023 Holiday Hours The Holiday season brings thoughts of gratitude, and there is no better time to express our thanks and sincere appreciation for your dedication and commitment to Equitable Life.
     
    Thank you for your support this past year and for trusting Equitable Life with your Individual Insurance and Savings & Retirement business. Happy Holidays!
     
    Client Care Centre Holiday Hours
    Friday December 22, 2023 - 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET
    Monday December 25, 2023 – CLOSED
    Tuesday December 26, 2023 – CLOSED
    December 27, 28 and 29, 2023 - 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET
    Monday January 1, 2024 - CLOSED

    Savings & Retirement
    To settle on December 22, 2023, the transaction must be received that day by 11:00 a.m. ET
    To settle on December 29, 2023, the transaction must be received that day by 11:00 a.m. ET


    Individual Insurance
    Underwriting
    ● Underwriting must receive all evidence and outstanding Underwriting requirements by December 15th- at the latest. Underwriting will then be able to decision these cases by December 21st. This will give the New Business team December 21st – December 29th to issue and settle policies.  

    New Business
    ● New Business will continue to process all issue and settle requirements every business day until the last working day of the year – December 29th. New Business needs to receive ALL final settle documents in Good Order within our posted service standards. We are currently operating at a 3 business day turn around time.

    Field Payroll
    ● Second Last Pay Period for 2023 – December13, 2023 to December 19, 2023 (Transmission/Statement date December 20, 2023)
    ● Last Pay Period of 2023 – December 20, 2023 to December 29, 2023 (Transmission/Statement date January 2,2024)
    ● First Pay of 2024 – January 1, 2024 to January 9, 2024 (Transmission/Statement date on January 10,2024)  

    Daily Pay will run on business days.

     
    Please note that all requirements must be received in Head Office by the above dates to guarantee settlement for year end.
  9. Individual Insurance product enhancements

    Equitable Life has exciting product enhancements that will help you offer more options to clients. 

    Watch our Virtual Product Launch NOW. Grab a coffee and get ready for this exciting news! Hear from our leaders and learn about our exciting product enhancements.

    - Full Product Launch Video (approx. 20 minutes). 
    - Introduction video (View on Vimeo) / Product launch page 


    Highlights of the product changes effective February 12, 2022, include:

     

    NEW! 10 pay premium option with Equimax Estate Builder®

    - The new EquiLiving® 20 pay rider options will be available on Equimax® plans


    NEW! EquiLiving plans and riders enhanced 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)
    - EquiLiving Benefit now pays the higher of the EquiLiving Benefit or the Return of Premium Rider Benefit (not including Return of Premium on Death)          
    - And so much more …

    New Illustration software available on February 11, 2022 
    The updated illustration software will be available for download after 9 a.m. ET on Friday, February 11, 2022, and will include all the Equimax and EquiLiving enhancements.

    See the Equitable Sales Illustrations Update for information on how to download the software or check for updates. 

    Please review updates to the commission schedule A for these new enhancements.

    Learn more Get ready to make 2022 your best year yet for your sales! 

    Please contact your Regional Sales Manager for more information. 
  10. Sales Strategies