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1. Equitable Life and Cloud DX

   We have partnered with Cloud DX to provide remote monitoring for all our EquiLiving® Critical Illness Insurance eligible claimants.*

    A Canadian first. Equitable Life’s Critical Illness eligible claimants, will now be supported beyond diagnosis and through treatment and recovery. Equitable Life is proud to announce that it has partnered with Canadian digital health innovator, Cloud DX, to provide a Virtual Monitoring Care service as part of its Critical Illness packages. We are pleased to offer this service on all new and existing EquiLiving coverages. 
   
   View our press release announcing Cloud DX and Equitable Life’s partnership, and watch our video featuring Donna Carbell, Senior Vice President, Individual Insurance.

   • Frequently asked questions
   *Cloud DX is a non-contractual benefit and may be withdrawn or changed by Equitable Life® at any time.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.
2. January 2024 eNews

   In this issue:

   • Equitable scores high marks with group advisors*
   • REMINDER: Equitable's National Biosimilar Program starts in March*
   • 2024 dental fee guide updates*
   • Homewood Health wins HR Reporter Reader's Choice award for EFAP excellence*
   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients.
    

   Equitable scores high marks with group advisors*

   Equitable ranked first for operational service among major group insurers in a recent study of Canadian group benefits advisors.  
   
   NMG Consulting, a leading global consulting firm, conducted in-depth interviews with 146 Canadian group benefits brokers, consultants, MGAs and third-party administrators between May and August 2023 for its annual Canadian Group Benefits Study. Based on these interviews, NMG ranked group insurers in six categories, ranging from operational management to technology.
   
   Nationally, Equitable ranked among the top three in five of the six main categories, including number one for Operational Management:
    
    

   Category	Ranking
   Operational management	1st
   Initiatives (including seminars & training)	2nd
   Technology	3rd
   Underwriting & claims management	3rd
   Relationship management	3rd

   
   “Advisors regard us highly in many categories. That’s a testament to our mutual status and ability to focus exclusively on our clients and advisor partnerships,” said Marc Avaria, Executive Vice President, Group Insurance Division. “We are truly working together to build strong, enduring and aligned partnerships with our clients and advisors.”
    
   “We’re delighted with these results and are committed to continuously advancing our delivery of a better benefits experience for our clients and advisors,” added Avaria. 

   More highlights from the latest NMG survey

   Nationally, we ranked first in seven subcategories in Operational Management, including:
   • Overall service to intermediaries,
   • Overall service to plan sponsors,
   • New quote process,
   • Plan implementation,
   • Renewal process,
   • Accuracy and timeliness of reporting and billing, and
   • Administration quality and responsiveness
   In Underwriting and Claims Management, we finished in the top three for flexibility of underwriting (2nd).
   
   And we were rated strongly in Technology, finishing in the top three for:
   • Overall technology for Intermediary (2nd)
   • Member experience (3rd)
   • Quality of technology for the plan sponsor (2nd)
   • Quality of mobile application (2nd)
    

   REMINDER: Equitable's National Biosimilar Program starts in March*

   In October 2023 we announced the upcoming launch of our national biosimilar program. Starting March 1, 2024, we are expanding our biosimilar switch initiatives to provide a single, nationwide** program.  

   Why we’re making the switch 

   Over the past few years, most provinces have introduced policies to delist some originator biologic drugs. They require most patients to switch to biosimilar versions of those drugs to be eligible for coverage under their public drug plans. Soon, it is expected that all provincial drug plans will cover only biosimilars. 

   Equitable’s National Biosimilar Program simplifies drug plan coverage by replacing our provincial programs. It also protects clients from additional drug costs while offering access to lower-cost biosimilars deemed equally safe and effective by Health Canada.  

   How will this affect clients' drug plans?

   Because we have already introduced biosimilar switch initiatives in most provinces, the impact of this change will be minimal. It will primarily affect plan members in provinces or territories where we haven’t already required the switch to biosimilars. It will also affect plan members who are taking biosimilars that were not originally included in the switch initiative for their province.     

   Regardless of where they live, plan members across Canada 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. Plan members already taking the originator biologic will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable plan. We will support their transition with education, personalized communication, and resources.  

   Advance notice for plan members

   We contacted affected claimants in early December to give them enough time to change their prescriptions 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 Account Executive.     
    ** Excludes plan members in Quebec who participate in a separate provincial program. 
    

   2024 dental fee guide updates*

   Each year, Provincial and Territorial Dental Associations publish fee guides. Equitable uses these guides to help determine the reimbursement limits for dental procedures.
   
   For your reference, you may wish to refer to the 2024 list of the average dental fee increases for general practitioners.
    

   Homewood Health wins HR Reporter Reader's Choice award for EFAP excellence*

   Equitable is proud to congratulate our Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) partner, Homewood Health®, for winning the Canadian HR Reporter 2023 Reader’s Choice Award in Employee Assistance Plan services. Homewood’s EFAP provides confidential support for a range of health, family, money, and work issues through face-to-face, phone, email, chat, or video counselling. The award recognizes their high standards in counselling and mental health support services. 

   The annual Reader’s Choice Awards identify organizations that provide outstanding expertise and services for HR professionals and employers across Canada. Those organizations provide valuable information on useful, innovative HR and employee benefits products and programs, in categories such as recruitment, mental health services, employee engagement programs, and more. 

   Sharing Homewood Health with your clients 

   Since 2019, we have worked with Homewood to provide mental health services for Equitable benefits plan members. 

   Your clients can access Homewood Health’s award-winning EFAP for an additional fee by adding it to their benefits plan. Services are available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

   All Equitable clients also have free access to Homewood Health Online in their benefits plan. Homewood Online provides a variety of helpful wellness resources, including: 

   • Homeweb, an online and mobile health and wellness portal, 
   • Health Risk Assessment, a group of assessment tools to help plan members identify and overcome health and wellness barriers, and  
   • Online Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) through Sentio to manage symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.  

   Questions

   To learn more about Homewood Health’s services, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Account Executive. 

3. Update: Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefit Extension As it proposed in its 2022 Budget, the federal government has confirmed it is extending the Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits period from 15 weeks to 26 weeks later this year. The official implementation date and details have not yet been confirmed by the government and we will share further details once they are available. In the meantime, here’s what you need to know.
    
   We 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. 

   Impact to short-term disability (STD) benefits integrated with EI

   Plan sponsors with EI-integrated STD may wish to adjust their benefits to line up with the new 26-week extension. 

   Impact to plans with no STD benefits

   For plan sponsors who do not offer STD, they have the option of adjusting their LTD plans to the new 26-week elimination period if members claim EI prior to LTD. This adjustment would help to avoid the plan member receiving disability and EI payments at the same time and potentially being required to return funds due to overpayment. 

   Considerations for plan sponsors

   Plan sponsors who amend their STD or LTD policies to align with the new 26-week EI period should note that there may be inadvertent delays to their employees’ return to work. While collecting EI, injured or ill employees do not benefit from our early intervention services or rigorous claims management practices that could help them get back to work sooner. So, by delaying the availability of STD or LTD coverage, the advantages that these programs are intended to provide could also be delayed. 

   Impact to Premium Reduction Program (PRP)

   The Premium Reduction Program (PRP) allows employers with eligible short-term disability plans to pay lower EI premiums. The eligibility criteria have not changed at this time. The government plans to review the PRP in 2024.

   Questions

   If you have questions about these changes or what they mean for your clients’ disability plans, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
    
4. [pdf] Personalized Brochure - Benefits of segregated funds in a Tax-free Savings Account
5. MER + TER = FER: what it means for clients
6. Extending premium relief for Dental and Extended Health Care benefits

   We know this is a challenging time for Canadian employers and we continue to look for ways to help your clients manage while still supporting their employees.

   As many health practitioners continue to keep their offices closed due to the pandemic restrictions, plan member use of dental benefits and some health benefits remains lower than normal.

   So, we are pleased to announce that we are extending premium relief for all Traditional and myFlex insured non-refund customers for Health and Dental benefits for the month of May, as follows:

   • A 50% reduction on Dental premiums in all provinces except Saskatchewan, where a 25% reduction will apply due to the re-opening of dental clinics in early-May; and
   • A 20% reduction on vision and extended healthcare rates (excluding prescription drugs) in all provinces, which equates to an 8% reduction on Health premiums.

   These reductions are effective for May 2020 and will appear as a credit against the next available billing. We will assess the situation monthly and expect to continue with monthly refunds for as long as the current crisis period continues. The size of the credit may change over time as dentists and other health practitioners gradually reopen their offices. We will confirm premium credits for June (if any) at a later date. Credits for subsequent months will be communicated on a month-by-month basis.

   In order to be eligible for the monthly credit calculation and payout, a policy must be in force on the first of the month and remain in force thereafter. The monthly credit calculation is based on employees in force on the May bill. If employees experienced layoffs during the month, that would not affect eligibility for a premium credit as long as the benefit itself is not terminated.

   We expect that claims experience and premiums will return to normal once the current pandemic restrictions are lifted.

   In the meantime, plan members will continue to have full access to their benefits coverage throughout the pandemic. In many cases, dental offices remain open for emergency services, and a variety of healthcare providers are available virtually.

   Commissions

   We know the pandemic has put financial strain on your business as well, so we will continue to pay full compensation. Although your overall commission will be unaffected by these premium reduction adjustments, you may see a temporary reduction in your commission payments if you are on a pay-as-earned basis. We will begin to process the commission top-up payments in mid-June and will reflect both April and May premium credits.

   Communication

   We will be communicating this premium relief program to your clients later this week.

   Questions?

   If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager. In the meantime, we have provided some Questions and Answers below. You can also refer to our online COVID-19 Group Benefits FAQ.

7. Most employers staying the course on benefits during COVID-19

   With businesses suffering hardship due to COVID-19, employers are turning to you for advice on their benefits plans during these difficult times. We’ve received numerous questions from advisors about changes our clients are making to their plans during this crisis.

   So far, the vast majority of clients are standing pat and taking a wait-and-see approach. Plan amendments have been the exception – fewer than 1% of our clients have made COVID-19-related amendments as of mid-April. Almost all are clients with fewer than 50 lives.

   We know that many of our clients have experienced layoffs, but hardly any have cancelled benefits. Fewer than 0.1% have terminated benefits to date.

   Below is a snapshot of plan amendments and terminations relative to our overall block, and an overview of the types of amendments we’re seeing.

   
   
   
   
   
   COVID-19-related plan changes on Equitable Life’s block of business

   As of April 15, 2020
   

   Have clients who need to make a change?

   We know this is a difficult time for Canadian employers. If you have a client who needs to make a change to their plan, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager. We have a range of options to help them manage, and changes can be made quickly. The average turnaround time for COVID-19-related amendments is currently about four days.

   We’re happy to work with each employer to understand the options that suit their specific situation best.

8. Equitable's Fresh Outlook DIA/GIA Contest

   The recent launches of Equitable’s Daily Interest Account (DIA) and Guaranteed Interest Account (GIA) this summer have caused a bit of a buzz. So much so that we are launching Equitable’s Fresh Outlook DIA/GIA Contest.
   
   That’s right. To celebrate our fresh client-focused approach within a digital business solution, Equitable® is giving advisors a chance to win a prize of one $1,000 gift card.
   
   Between August 1, 2024 and October 31, 2024, every time advisors use Equitable’s EZcomplete® online application platform to submit a client's complete DIA/GIA application they will automatically be entered into the Fresh Outlook DIA/GIA Contest.
   
   Equitable is committed to offering valuable guaranteed investment solutions in a competitive market. Our fresh approach to guaranteed investing makes Equitable’s Daily Interest Account or Guaranteed Interest Account an easy choice.
   
   Speak to your Director, Investment Sales to learn more.
   
   ® or ^TM denotes a registered trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
   Fresh Outlook DIA/GIA Contest: No purchase necessary. Contest period is August 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024. One (1) prize to be awarded for a total value of $1,000 CAD. Correct answer to mathematical skill-testing question required to win. Open to legal residents of Canada of the age of majority. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible Entries received during the Contest Period. For full contest rules, including no-purchase method of entry, see full contest rules.

   
   Date posted: August 1, 2024
9. Things keep getting EZer with Equitable and EZtransact! Equitable® continues to make great strides with our digital self-serve tool, EZtransact^®. To keep this momentum, we’ve given EZtransact a fresh new look and feel, with additional transaction management changes and a new dashboard to enhance your online transaction experience! This refresh embraces our new brand, as we continue to focus on making it easier for you to do business with us.
   
   What’s new with this update?
   New dashboard for client search
   • The existing client search screen has been replaced with a new user-friendly dashboard.
   • Upon accessing EZtransact, all contracts associated with the user’s EquiNet ID will be displayed.
   • Users can refine the results and search by client name or contract number.
   Transaction management
   • Transactions submitted through EZtransact within the last 12 months are available, including their status.
   • Transactions that have received all signatures will now allow the user to download a copy of the signed request and any supporting documents uploaded by the user.
   • Transactions that are pending client signatures will allow the user to manage and track the e-signature process:
     • Signing packages can be resent to clients who have not completed their e-signature.
     • Clients can be unlocked through the dashboard if locked out due to too many invalid attempts.
   Signing process changes
   • Advisor and dealer/MGA stakeholders have been removed from signing information and review screens.
   • Users are no longer required to provide an email address for the dealer/MGA to submit a transaction.
   Get to know EZtransact and fast-forward your sales process. If you have any questions, please contact your Director, Investment Sales
   
   Date published: October 3, 2024
10. Pique your Fi-natical Curiosity with Equitable and Invesco

    Get ready for an engaging session where we'll uncover 8 core topics that every advisor should know about clients. One of those core topics is “who do you care about?” This helps advisors understand who is important to clients, so they can then begin to include them in their planning. Let's dive in and discover how to make client relationships even stronger.
    
    Rob Kochel, Director, Invesco Consulting Canada, will explain how asking the right questions helps advisors learn more about clients, so they can work towards capturing up to 70% more of their clients’ assets. Join Joseph Trozzo, Vice President, Investment Sales, at Equitable^® as he hosts this Master Class webcast on “Fi-natical Curiosity”.
    
    Featured Speaker: Rob Kochel
    Rob is a Director with Invesco Consulting. This group has earned a reputation within the financial sector as a premier provider of business strategies to the industry. Rob is a national speaker who is recruited for keynote presentations and workshops to share his personal learnings and Invesco Consulting's expertise.
    
    Learn more
    
    Continuing Education Credits 
    This master class has been submitted for continuing education (CE) approval for all provinces excluding Quebec via the Insurance Council of Manitoba and Alberta Insurance Council. Upon approval, you will be sent an email notification to come back to the webcast presentation console to download your personalized certificate from the tool bar. To be eligible for CE credits, you must register individually, watch the webcast in full and complete a short quiz. It is the advisor's responsibility to ensure Continuing Education credits being offered are accepted by their licensing body. Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) credits are valid in Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Insurance Council of Manitoba (ICM) credits are valid in Manitoba only. 
    
    This webcast is available in English only. 
     

    Date posted: March 13, 2025