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  1. Two options for supporting plan members during the pandemic

    We know these are difficult times. In addition to concerns about their health and the health of their family, working Canadians are worried about their jobs and their finances. Fortunately, through our partnership with Homewood Health®, we have two options for employers to support their employees through this crisis.

    Below is an overview to refer to when you're meeting with your clients. Or you can download this PDF version.

    Homewood Online (Homeweb)

    All Equitable Life® clients and their plan members have access to Homeweb, a personalized online mental health and wellness portal. Accessible via the web or mobile app, Homeweb includes an online library of interactive tools, assessments, e-courses and resources to support plan members through the pandemic.

    Homewood Health Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

    Employers can provide additional support by adding the Homewood Health EFAP. In addition to full access to Homeweb, it offers confidential short-term counselling through a national network of mental health professionals, plus other resources and tools.

    To make it easier to understand the options, here’s a detailed summary of what’s included with each:

    Service Description Homeweb EFAP
    Homeweb.ca A secure and personalized online portal that includes hundreds of articles and resources, including e-books, toolkits, self-assessments, podcasts and more.
    Homeweb Mobile App One of Canada’s newest EFAP mobile apps that allows users to access every one of Homewood’s online tools and resources wherever they are.
    i-Volve Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Tool An online self-directed treatment tool that helps coach plan members to identify, challenge and overcome anxious thoughts, behaviours and emotions.
    Online Health Risk Assessment An online tool that helps plan members identify and address their health and wellness risks and barriers.
    Short-Term Counselling Short-term counselling provided face-to-face, by phone, email, chat or video through a national network of counsellors and clinical professionals.  
    Life Smart Coaching A suite of telephonic and online services including coaching and resources to help employees manage their life balance, finances, health and career. Online resources only.
    Trauma response Prompt, compassionate and effective response to traumatic events, consisting of one three-hour block with one counsellor at one location per year.  
    Legal Resources One-on-one consultation with a lawyer for guidance on issues such as family law, civil litigation, real estate and immigration. Online resources only.
    Key Person Advice Line (KPAL) Designed for HR, managers and supervisors, this service provides Online Management Resources and Workplace Situation Professional Support.  
    Resource Locator Online childcare and eldercare resources locators.

     

    For more information, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

  2. ALERT! Temporary Suspension of Ground Service – British Columbia
    The British Columbia government has declared a provincial state of emergency following severe flooding and landslides, causing widespread damage and road closures preventing ground access into and out of the province.
     
    Please be advised that we are not accepting courier shipments traveling by ground into and out of British Columbia.  Any printed materials ordered from Equitable Life will be held until the situation in BC is resolved. In the meantime, please feel free to use our digital copies.
     
    If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Regional Sales Manager.
     
     
  3. Are your clients looking for more Tax-Free Savings Account contribution room?

    Good news!  With the start of the new year comes new additional contribution room. And to make it even better the Government of Canada­­­ increased the annual contribution limit. Effective January 1, 2023, the annual limit goes from $6,000.00 to $6,500.00.   
      
    A Tax-Free Savings Account is a great option for clients to grow their savings with the flexibility to access their money when they need it, before or during retirement. Encourage your clients to start saving today!­

    For more information on the options available, please click here.


    Posted: January 3, 2023
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  5. Equitable Life Coronavirus Update – March 13, 2020

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

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

    Coronavirus travel coverage*

    For groups with Travel Assist coverage

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

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

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

    Where to find the latest information

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

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

    Advise plan members to call before they travel

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

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

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

    Early prescription refills and drug shortages*

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

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

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

    Drug shortages

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

    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

  6. This year’s Registered Retirement Savings Plan deadline is March 3, 2025.

    Have you talked to clients about their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions yet? Equitable® offers RRSP products to meet clients’ needs including:
    • Daily/Guaranteed Interest Account
    • Pivotal Select™ Segregated Funds
              • Investment Class (75/75)
              • Estate Class (75/100)
              • Protection Class (100/100)

    These products offer protection and flexibility that clients need, with the tax savings and benefits of a RRSP. Encourage clients to contribute to their RRSP early. And make RRSP contributions a financial priority each year!

    What’s new
    The Home Buyer’s Plan is offering temporary repayment relief for qualifying withdrawals from their RRSP. This means that clients can defer the start of the repayment period by an additional three years when they make a first qualifying withdrawal between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2025. This means the 15-year repayment period would start in the fifth year after the year in which a first withdrawal was made. For example, if you made your first qualifying withdrawal in 2022, your first year of repayment will be 2027.1

    Tools and materials to help you start the conversation
    Often clients have good intentions about saving for retirement. However, even the best intentions need an action plan. As a trusted advisor, you can help clients see the value in making a RRSP a financial priority. We have tools and marketing materials to help you start the conversation. Show clients why an Equitable RRSP can help them to achieve their financial goals in retirement.

    Equitable’s advisor toolbox, available on EquiNet®, includes Product News, Prospecting Letters, Forms, Marketing Materials, Case Studies, Articles and Investment Calculators. 



    1 www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/rrsps-related-plans/what-home-buyers-plan/repay-funds-withdrawn-rrsp-s-under-home-buyers-plan.html
    ® or ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
    Posted February 7, 2025
     
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