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Update - Travel Assist Coverage*
Last Friday, we announced that plan members with Travel Assist on their benefits plan will not be eligible for coverage if they departed the country after the Government of Canada issued its Global Travel Advisory.
When the Government issued its advisory late Friday afternoon, we felt an obligation to let prospective travellers know as soon as possible so they could make informed choices about their travel. Since then, we have been made aware of a number of situations where plan members were unable to change their travel plans and need our continued support.
To provide that support, we have revised our position. We will continue to cover plan members for all eligible emergency medical expenses, including those related to COVID-19, for trips outside Canada. Given the global situation is evolving quickly, we will continue to monitor developments and update you accordingly.
In spite of this, we strongly urge your clients to advise their employees not to travel outside of the country at this time. The risk is high and the options for returning to Canada are becoming limited. Further, we urge your clients to advise their employees who are outside the country to return to Canada earlier than scheduled, if possible.
If a plan member is currently travelling abroad and is experiencing symptoms or is hospitalized with suspicion of the coronavirus, they should contact Travel Assist at the numbers listed below for assistance and to confirm their coverage.
- Toll-free Canada/USA: 1.800.321.9998
- Global call collect: 519.742.3287
- Allianz Global Assistance ID #9089
We will continue to update you as the situation develops.
We will update the announcement on our Plan Member website to reflect this change.
We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience our earlier announcement may have caused.
*Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
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Tools to manage mental health
As we all continue to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to remind your clients of the valuable supports available to help their plan members cope through this challenging time.
Free trusted information and COVID-19 resources
Our partner FeelingBetterNow® is responding to the pandemic by providing trusted public resources that offer mental health support. They are available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and include:
- What to do if you’re anxious or worried about COVID-19;
- Resources for parents and caregivers; and
- National and Provincial Public Health resources.
Access COVID-19 resources from FeelingBetterNow.
FeelingBetterNow Mental Health Assessment
In addition to these public resources, Equitable Life clients with FeelingBetterNow as part of their group benefits plan have access to online mental health resources. FeelingBetterNow can help plan members identify their risk for mental health concerns and work with their doctor on diagnosis and treatment. It’s an anonymous tool developed by mental health experts which provides:
- Emotional and mental health assessments;
- Practical, evidence-based tools employees and their doctor can use to assess, treat, and follow-up on emotional and mental health concerns; and
- Convenient online access to information and effective resources.
FeelingBetterNow is easy to use and completely anonymous. It takes less than 20 minutes to complete the assessment and view your results.
Learn more about FeelingBetterNow, then contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager to discuss how your clients can add this service to their plan.
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Have you heard about Equitable Client Access?
Equitable Client Access® allows clients to self-serve on some of the more popular requests. Thousands of clients have already signed up for Equitable Client Access and are enjoying the benefits of accessing their secure information 24/7.
• Does your client need to change or stop existing Pre-Authorized payment (PAD)? Equitable Client Access can do that.
• Does your client need to change a withdrawal date for a PAD? Equitable Client Access can do that too.
• Address or banking information changes? Equitable Client Access has your clients covered.
• Does your client need to change her beneficiary from Aunt Flora to Uncle Ned? Equitable Client Access can even do that.
Equitable Client Access is a secure online client site that connects clients with policy information, right at their fingertips. In addition to the self-serve features, Equitable Client Access can also provide:
• Insurance coverage and guarantees
• Investment allocation, performance and market values
• Transaction history
• Statements and letters
• Advisor contact information, along with so much more.
If your clients have not signed up for Equitable Client Access, direct them to client.equitable.ca - it only takes a few minutes to set up an account, and connects your clients with their policy information online – anytime!
Have a question about Equitable Client Access? Want to tell your client how to go paperless? Check out our updated FAQ or contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager today.
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Reminder: Deadline to opt out of Alberta biosimilar coverage changes
In November 2020, we announced via eNews that on March 15, 2021, we are changing coverage for some biologic drugs in Alberta in response to the province’s Biosimilar Initiative. These changes will help protect your client’s plans from additional drug costs while still providing access to equally safe and effective biosimilars.
Do my clients need to take any action?
Traditional groups who wish to opt out of this change and maintain coverage of these originator biologics for Alberta plan members can submit a policy amendment. Amendments must be submitted no later than January 15, 2021.
Advisors with myFlex Benefits clients who wish to maintain coverage of these originator biologics for Alberta plan members should speak to their myFlex Sales Manager to confirm their eligibility to opt out of this change.
Otherwise, no action is required on their part. Plan members taking these biologics will be contacted directly to allow them ample time to change their prescription. Any cost savings associated with the change will be factored in at renewal.
Questions?
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact your Equitable Life Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
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Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – February 2022
In this issue:
- Update: Alberta biosimilar coverage changes*
- Preferred Biosimilar Program*
- Responding to Quebec’s biosimilar policy*
- Dental fee guide updates*
- Reminder: Review manual allocations for HCSAs and/or TSAs*
- Mental health resources for plan members*
Update: Alberta biosimilar coverage changes*
In 2022, Alberta’s provincial drug plan is adding four originator biologics to its Biosimilar Initiative. It has ended or will end provincial coverage of these drugs for some or all conditions, as follows:
Four originator biologics added to Alberta Biosimilar Initiative- Lovenox: Jan. 10, 2022
- Humalog: Feb. 1, 2022
- NovoRapid: April 1, 2022
- Humira: May 1, 2022
Patients 18 and over who are using these drugs for the affected conditions will be required to switch to biosimilar versions of the drugs to maintain coverage under the province’s government drug plan.
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 these originator biologic drugs for plan members in Alberta.
Effective May 1, 2022, claimants currently taking these drugs will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan.
This is a continuation of the Alberta biosimilar switch program we launched last March, when the province first introduced its Biosimilar Initiative.
Do my clients need to take any action?
No action is required by plan sponsors. Plan members taking these targeted originator biologics will be contacted directly to allow them ample time to transition to a biosimilar. Any cost savings associated with the change will be factored in at renewal.
Groups that opted out of the biologic coverage changes we made last March will automatically be opted out of these coverage changes, as well as any future changes to our Alberta biosimilar switch program. This means that their drug plans will continue to provide coverage to existing claimants for any originator biologics we stop covering as part of our biosimilar program.
Advisors with clients who wish to opt out of our Alberta biosimilar program, or who previously opted out and want to opt back in, should speak to their Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
Communication to plan members
We will be communicating these coverage changes with affected claimants in early March to allow them ample time to change their prescriptions and avoid any interruptions in their treatment or their coverage. Thus far, the transition to biosimilars, has been smooth and continues to be successful.
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 also biologics. 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.Preferred Biosimilar Program*
As part of our ongoing efforts to help ensure the sustainability of your clients’ drug plans, we continue to engage in strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers.
We are pleased to announce a partnership to make Hyrimoz our preferred biosimilar for Humira. This partnership will generate additional savings for plan sponsors.
Plan members will still have the choice to use Humira biosimilars other than Hyrimoz. However, in the absence of alternative sources of reimbursement, this may increase their out-of-pocket amount.
The Preferred Biosimilar Program will take effect March 1, 2022 for all new claimants across Canada who start using a Humira biosimilar. It will take effect May 1 for existing claimants in Alberta who switch to a Humira biosimilar, to align with changes to the provincial plan.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.Responding to Quebec’s biosimilar policy
Last year, the Quebec government announced it is phasing out coverage of biologic drugs. Beginning April 13, 2022, patients in Quebec using originator biologics will be required to switch to the corresponding biosimilar covered on the province’s public plan in order to maintain coverage.
The following populations are excepted from this new policy:- Pregnant women, who should be transitioned to biosimilars in the 12 months after childbirth.
- Pediatric patients, who should be transitioned to biosimilars in the 12 months after their 18th birthdays.
- Patients who have experienced two or more therapeutic failures while being treated with a biologic drug for the same chronic disease.
We are actively investigating the impact of this new policy on private drug plans in Quebec. We plan to implement further enhancements to our biosimilar programs in Quebec later this year to help prevent this change from resulting in additional costs for our clients’ drug plans. We will provide more details in the coming months.Dental fee guide updates
Each year, Provincial and Territorial Dental Associations publish fee guides. Equitable Life uses these guides to help determine the reimbursement limits for dental procedures. For your reference, below is the list of the average dental fee increases for general practitioners that will be used by Equitable Life for 2022.*
Dental fee guide increases over 2021*
*Data for all provinces and territories was not available at the time of publication. This chart will be updated on EquitableHealth.ca as more information becomes available.Province/Territory Average Fee Increase Alberta 3.9% British Columbia 7.35% Manitoba 5.79% New Brunswick 5.9% Newfoundland and Labrador 5% Nova Scotia 7.05% Northwest Territories 3% Nunavut 3.1% Ontario 4.75% Prince Edward Island 4.75% Quebec 5% Saskatchewan 5.99%
Reminder: Review manual allocations for HCSAs and/or TSAs*
If your client’s Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and/or Taxable Spending Account (TSA) has manual allocations, they need to allocate these amounts to plan members each year. Please review all your plan members’ profiles on EquitableHealth.ca to ensure they have received their allocation(s) for the current benefit year.
If your clients have Plan Administrator update access on EquitableHealth.ca, they can update these amounts online by doing the following:- Select “View certificate”
- Select “Health Care Spending Account” or “Taxable Spending Account”
- Select “Update Allocation” in Task Center
- Enter amount in “Revised Allocation Amount”
- Override Reason – “Plan Administrator Request”
- Select “Save”
- Select “Reports”
- Select “New”
- Select “Next”
- Select “HCSA” or “TSA Totals by Plan Member”
- Select “Next”
- Enter end date of “12/31/2020”
- Select “Next”
- Select “Finish”
- View “Report”
Mental health resources for plan members*
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, many Canadians are experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Through our partnership with Homewood Health®, all of our clients and their plan members have access to a number of health and wellness resources designed to provide guidance and support. These resources include a number of webinars which discuss various COVID-19 and mental health-related topics. The webinars are pre-recorded so plan members can stream them at their convenience.
Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Mental Health
English webinar
French webinar
COVID-19: Loneliness & Isolation Fatigue - Self-Care Strategies
English webinar
French webinar
COVID-19: Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder
English webinar
French webinar
Reducing Anxiety & Managing the Transition Back to the Classroom - for Teachers
English webinar
French webinar
COVID-19: Specialized Mental Health Support for Health Care Professionals
English webinar
French webinar
COVID-19: Supporting Children’s Mental Health
English webinar
French webinar
Additional resources, including articles, tools, videos and podcasts, are available at Homeweb.ca/Equitable. Please encourage your clients to share these resources with their plan members.
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December 2022 eNews
Update: EI Sickness Benefit Extension confirmed for Dec. 18, 2022*
The federal government confirmed on Nov. 25, 2022, that it is extending the Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits period permanently from 15 weeks to 26 weeks. The change takes effect on Dec. 18, 2022.
Equitable Life will not require or implement any changes to our disability plan designs based on this extension. However, plan sponsors may wish to amend their short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) plans and policies to align with the new 26-week EI period.
If your clients choose to amend their plan design in response to this extension, we have created an overview of how amendments may affect common plan design scenarios. Click here to learn more.
If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2023*
Every year, the Quebec Drug Insurance Pooling Corporation (QDIPC) reviews the terms and conditions for the high-cost pooling system in the province.
Based on its latest review, QDIPC is revising its pooling levels and fees for 2023 to reflect trends in the volume of claims submitted to the pool, particularly catastrophic claims:
We will apply the new pooling levels and fees to future renewal calculations that involve Quebec plan members.
If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
*Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
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Let’s talk about Critical Illness insurance, the Equitable way.
Having critical illness insurance benefits in an important time of need is so valuable. Get the right critical illness insurance coverage for your clients.
In 2022, we made some significant updates to our EquiLiving® Critical Illness insurance plans to provide better choices and features for clients.
These significant updates included:
● The addition of Acquired Brain Injury as a covered condition
● The addition of 20 pay options allowing more choice when choosing the right plan for your clients
● The removal of the age restriction for juveniles to claim for Loss of Independent Existence
Plus, a Canadian first, the addition of Cloud DX. Cloud DX is a value-added service that provides remote patient monitoring to claimants in addition to the full critical illness benefit paid by Equitable Life®. Cloud DX delivers medical grade hardware directly to the client so that Cloud DX can remotely monitor their vitals to help ensure they are on and stay on the road to recovery.
View our new Critical Illness video on YouTube or Vimeo!
With these updates and more, EquiLiving Critical Illness Insurance is there for clients, not only at time of their claim but also during their recovery. To learn more about Critical Illness insurance, the Equitable way, contact your local wholesaler.
*Cloud DX is a non-contractual benefit and may be withdrawn or changed by Equitable Life® at any time. To be eligible for the Cloud DX offering, a claimant must be age 12 or older and have received payment on or after February 12, 2022 for a covered critical condition benefit under an individual critical illness insurance policy issued by Equitable Life. An early detection benefit payment does not qualify. Equitable Life pays for 6 months of Cloud DX subscription fees. If the claimant wishes to continue the Cloud DX service after 6 months, they will be responsible for the cost.
® and TM denote trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
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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.