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  1. Policy Change eDelivery
  2. Policy Change eDelivery Scenarios
  3. Policy endorsement: Contracts and group benefits plan booklet updates related to BC PharmaCare Biosi

    As we announced in the June 2019 issue of eNews, BC PharmaCare recently introduced a new Biosimilars Initiative that ends coverage of three biologic drugs, including Remicade, Enbrel, and Lantus. These drugs will no longer be eligible in British Columbia for most conditions for which lower-cost biosimilar versions are available. Patients in the province with these conditions will be required to switch to biosimilar versions of these drugs by Nov. 25, 2019 in order to maintain their coverage under BC PharmaCare.
     
    The following table outlines the affected originator drugs and their biosimilars.
     

    Drug Originator Biosimilar
    etanercept Enbrel® Brenzys®
    Erelzi™
    infliximab Remicade® Inflectra®
    Renflexis®
    insulin glargine Lantus® Basaglar™

     
    Biologics are drugs that are engineered using living organisms, such as yeast and bacteria. Biosimilars are highly similar to the originator drugs they are based on and most have been shown to have no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy.
     
    To ensure this provincial change doesn’t result in your clients' plans paying additional drug costs, we are aligning our drug eligibility for these three biologic drugs with that of BC PharmaCare.
     
    To facilitate this change, we are amending some of the wording in our contracts and booklets, effective Oct. 1, 2019. Below are links to the Endorsement to the Master Policy and the Summary of Master Booklet Wording Changes for those amendments. Please download and save these policy endorsement documents for your files.
     
    In addition, please remind your clients to provide their plan members with a copy of the Summary of Master Booklet Wording Changes. The next time your clients amend their benefits plans, the updated wording will be included in their group benefits plan booklets

    DOWNLOAD ENDORSEMENT TO THE MASTER POLICY

    DOWNLOAD SUMMARY OF MASTER BOOKLET WORDING CHANGES

    As of Nov. 25, 2019, Remicade and Enbrel will no longer be eligible for BC plan members with conditions for which lower-cost biosimilar versions of the drugs are available. These plan members will be required to switch to the biosimilar versions of these drugs in order to maintain eligibility on the Equitable Life drug plan.
     
    We will be communicating with affected claimants in the coming weeks to allow them ample time to change their prescription and avoid any interruptions in their treatment or their coverage.
     
    We intend to take a similar approach to Lantus. However, we are still investigating the options to implement this change. We will be communicating with you in the coming weeks to confirm our approach for this drug.
     
    If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Marketing Manager or myFlex Sales Manager.
     

    ® and ™ denote trademarks of their respective owners

  4. EZcomplete enhancements for segregated fund applications

    When we launched EZcomplete® for segregated funds back in January we heard a lot of positive comments from our advisors. We also heard that we could do better. So that's just what we did.

     

    1. FUNDSERV CODE 

    Advisors with an active FundSERV code no longer need to remember to select the FundSERV code when starting a new segregated fund application. EZcomplete will now default to the FundSERV code.


    2. LOAN DEPOSIT OPTION
    Under the Contributions section of the segregated fund application for Non-registered, TFSA, RSP or Spousal RSP, Loan is now a deposit option under Deposit Types. If Loan is selected, EZcomplete will ask for amount and Lending Company name. Equitable Life® has partnered with B2B Bank to provide investment and RSP loans at competitive rates. Details can be found on EquiNet® under "Loans".


    3. LIMITING SUCCESSOR ANNUITANT
    Applicable to TFSA, RIF and Spousal RIF applications only, EZcomplete will now use validation to prevent advisors from accidentally naming the same person as both successor annuitant and beneficiary, reducing the instances of "not in good order" applications.


    4. ONGOING PAD FUND SELECTION
    If Ongoing PAD is selected as a Deposit Type, an advisor can allocate the Ongoing PAD to a fund allocation that is different than the rest of the deposit options.


    5. TRANSFER FORM NOTIFICATION
    The MGA and advisor confirmation emails now include text to confirm that a Transfer Form has been uploaded and submitted as part of the segregated fund application. This additional information will act as a reminder to the Advisor/MGA to send the Transfer Form to the relinquishing institution.

     

    6. POPULATING FIELDS
    Advisors will no longer need to keep entering the same advisor and MGA information on new segregated fund applications. The first time an advisor code is used on an EZcomplete segregated fund application, the advisor will populate all the required fields. Each subsequent time a new segregated fund application is created with the same advisor code, the following fields will pre-populate with the values that were last entered.

    a) Advisor Email
    b) Dealer/MGA Name
    c) Branch Number
    d) MGA Email

  5. Short-term disability coverage for plan members in quarantine or self-isolation*

    Please note: This announcement applies only to groups with short-term disability coverage through Equitable Life

    With the spread of COVID-19, many people have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine themselves or are doing so voluntarily. We realize this is a stressful situation for people and they may be wondering if they are eligible for disability benefits. Short-term disability is designed to replace a plan member’s earnings if they are unable to work due to illness and injury.  As a result, only plan members who meet the following criteria are eligible for benefits:

    • Plan members who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are unable to work from home are eligible for coverage from Day 1 of their self-isolation period.
    • Plan members who have not been tested but have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are unable to work from home, are eligible for coverage. Claims will be assessed according to the terms of the plan.

    Plan members who are in quarantine for any other reason, but do not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, are not eligible for coverage. These plan members should consider applying for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, if they do not have an option to work from home.

    Submitting COVID-19-related STD claims

    To make things easier for plan members who need to submit claims related to COVID-19, we will not require a physician’s statement. Instead plan members should submit our simplified Short Term Disability Plan Member COVID-19 Claim Form.

    Plan Administrators need to complete their portion of the regular Short Term Disability Form (Form #421).

    This is a temporary process that will remain in effect through the current coronavirus situation. We will update on changes and share them on EquitableHealth.ca.

    Applying for the Employment Insurance sickness benefit

    Canadians quarantined due to COVID-19, who are not receiving Short Term Disability benefits, can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits has been waived. Service Canada’s dedicated toll-free support number is 1-833-381-2725 or (TTY) 1-800-529-3742.

    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients

  6. Insights from a pandemic: Long-term COVID-19 drug risks

    For the remainder of 2020 and beyond, COVID-19 will continue to add to the existing pressures driving up drug costs. Examples of contributing factors include:

    • Claims for acute drugs will likely increase as elective surgeries resume and plan members address non-emergency health issues that were left unattended during COVID-19.
    • Plan members whose employers are facing financial strain due to COVID-19 may stock up on their prescriptions in anticipation of losing their job and/or their benefits.
    • An ongoing increase in the prevalence and severity of mental health issues and chronic conditions. In May and June, we saw a dramatic increase in the number of claimants for depression, ulcers, blood pressure and diabetes, and depression was associated with 1 in 5 claimants.

    All trends thus far suggest we can expect about a 10% increase in average paid amounts per certificate in 2020 compared with 2019. But the impact won’t be the same for all groups. There will be significant variations, particularly for smaller groups, and some may see much larger cost increases.

    Unknown COVID-19-related risks

    Another risk exposure may come from the costs associated with drugs used to treat or prevent COVID-19. There are currently numerous vaccines in development, and more than 300 clinical trials are underway for both new and existing drugs to determine their effectiveness in treating the virus.

    The cost of any vaccine or whether government or private plans will pay for it is unknown. Regardless, there will likely be other drugs indicated for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 that private plans will be expected to cover. The cost of this impact for private payers is unknown, but potentially high.

    Another unknown is what will happen with dispensing fees. While most provinces have lifted their 30-day prescription refill limits, it remains to be seen whether pharmacies will resume dispensing 60- and 90-day refills at pre-COVID levels for private plans. If not, this would mean the dispensing fees will continue to drive up drug costs.

    COVID-19-Drug-Claims-Graphs-Part-2.png

    Advisor opportunity

    Despite the increase in drug plan risk in recent years, little has changed in plan design trends. Very few plan sponsors have adopted managed plans or other plan design options that could help manage risk.

    This presents an opportunity for advisors to educate their clients about the risks their drug plan may be exposed to and the options available to manage that risk.

    A practical starting point for those conversations is our Drug Plan Design Tool. With two simple questions, it can help confirm your client’s objectives and identify some best-fit solutions for their plan.  Ask your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager for a copy of the tool.

  7. There is still time for your clients to contribute to their Tax-Free Savings Account


    If you have clients that have not contributed to their Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) this year, great news… there is still time!

    You know that an Equitable Life® TFSA is a great way to save. Each year residents of Canada who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to invest up to $6,000* into their TFSA, in addition to any previously unused contribution room. Deposits made into a TFSA are made with after-tax dollars. This means that withdrawals can be made at any time on a tax-free basis.

    Interested in increasing an existing Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) TFSA deposit?
    Clients with an existing PAD (or who had one in the previous six months), can go online to make any adjustments to a scheduled deposit to their TFSA. Clients can simply login to Equitable Life’s Client Access®. Client Access is Equitable’s secure online client site that connects clients to tools and policy information.
     
    Consider a one-time deposit or set up a PAD?
    To get started with one-time deposit, 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 do not have to worry about mailing a cheque or missing the deadline. Deposits are applied based on the investment direction on file.

    If you have clients that would like to set up a PAD, simply complete Form #378. For details on how to submit forms during COVID-19, refer to the NEW APPLICATIONS & TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS webpage.
     
    If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Regional Investment Sales Manager or Advisor Services at 1.866.884.7427 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET or email savingsretirement@equitable.ca.
     

    *The annual TFSA limit is set by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is currently $6,000. Your notice of assessment will tell you if you have unused contribution room from previous years. Contributions over the maximum will be charged a monthly penalty of 1% by CRA.
     
    ® denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada
  8. Anti-money laundering legislation changes for Savings & Retirement forms and applications
    To comply with the Government of Canada’s anti-money laundering legislation and FATCA/CRS changes, Equitable Life® has updated its Savings and Retirement forms and applications. New online forms and applications are available to download from EquiNet®. Paper applications are also available to order from Equitable’s Supply Team. For a complete list of all forms and applications affected by the anti-money laundering legislation, refer to Anti-money Laundering Legislation Requirements Summary.
     
    What should I do if I have existing paper applications?
    If you currently have paper applications (Form #1383, #1384, #799, #355) with a version date that is before April 2, 2021, Equitable Life will continue to accept them, with the caveat that additional information may be required from you and your client to comply with anti-money laundering legislation.
     
    How long can I use my existing paper applications with a version date before April 2, 2021?
    Paper applications (Form #1383, #1384, #799, #355) with a version date prior to 2021/04/02 (located on the back page and in the bottom right-hand corner of the application) will no longer be accepted after July 1, 2021. If you have applications with a date that is before 2021/04/02, please destroy them and use the fillable/savable PDF on EquiNet. You can also order paper applications from our Supply Team.
     

    Want to be sure you always have the most up-to-date application? Try our EZcomplete® online application platform. EZcomplete makes it easy to process your non face-to-face applications and allows your clients to provide their signature remotely on their own device.
     
    To learn more about the Government of Canada’s anti-money laundering legislation and FATCA/CRS review the following links.
     
    Government of Canada - Guidance on the Common Reporting Standard
    Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada
     
    If you have any other questions, contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager.
     
    ® denotes a registered trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.

     
  9. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin - Group Advisor Bonus Enhancement Announcing our Enhanced Group Advisor Bonus Program
     
    We have enhanced our Group Advisor Bonus program to make it more competitive and to help support you in building your business with Equitable Life in 2022. We have updated the structure of the bonus program to make it easier for you to qualify, as well as increased the amounts we pay.
     
    Beginning for sales effective in 2022 we have:
    • Decreased the minimum premium required to qualify for the Sales Bonus to $35,000 from $150,000.
    • Moved away from using Graded Annualized Premium for both the Sales and Persistency Bonus and are using actual Annualized Premium instead, up to a maximum of $500,000 per policy. This simplifies the program and aligns us with the rest of the industry.
    • Increased the Sales Bonus payout to up to 5% of Annualized Premium for Traditional Sales and up to 3% of Annualized Premium for myFlex sales. 
    • Changed the minimum annual premium threshold for the Persistency bonus to $500,000 of capped Annualized Premium from $500,000 of Graded Annualized Premium to make it easier for you to qualify.
    Premiums associated with benefits on retention accounting or Administrative Services Only (ASO), Equitable HealthConnector® services, Group Critical Illness and Health Care Spending Accounts will no longer be counted towards the Sales Bonus.
     
    These enhancements do not apply to advisors who are not part of our standard Advisor Bonus program and who have special bonus arrangements in place. If you have a special bonus arrangement in place and would like to switch to the standard program, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
     
    Below is a table comparing the current Sales Bonus structure and payout. For full details, please refer to the Group Advisor Compensation and Recognition brochure.
     
    Enhanced Sales Bonus
    For the new Sales Bonus, the Payout Band is based on total combined Traditional and myFlex Benefits new annualized premium (capped at $500,000 per policy). The Sales Bonus Rates for both Traditional sales and myFlex sales are shown in the table below:
     
    New Sales Bonus Rates
    Payout Band Capped Annualized Premium* Sales Bonus Rate
    (from first dollar)
    Traditional Sales myFlex Sales
    1 $34,999 and under 0% 0%
    2 $35,000 to $99,999 3.5% 1.5%
    3 $100,000 and over 5% 3%
    *Total Traditional and myFlex new business sales combined, capped at $500,000 per policy.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    If you have any questions about the Advisor Bonus enhancements, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
     
  10. IMPORTANT NOTICE: FUNDS WITH DEFERRED SALES CHARGE OPTIONS

    The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators require all insurance companies to discontinue the sale of segregated funds with Deferred Sales Charge (DSC) effective June 1, 2023*.  

    PIVOTAL SELECT™ SEGREGATED FUND PRODUCTS 

    On May 29, 2023, funds with a DSC or Low Load (LL) sales charge option will be allocated to the No Load (NL) sales charge option of the funds available within the policy. 

    • Any existing amounts held in DSC or LL funds will retain the existing DSC schedule, outlined in the client’s contract. The annual 10% available (20% for RIF policies) for withdrawal without fees continues to apply through to the expiry of the fee schedule. 
    • If the default deposit instructions and/or pre-authorized scheduled deposits the client previously provided include funds with DSC or LL, these instructions will automatically update to NL of the same fund for all future deposits. 

    In alignment with Equitable's current administrative rules, if the client has DSC or LL funds, the client will not be able to deposit No Load Chargeback funds (NL-CB and NL-CB5) within the same policy. 

    For more information, please click here.

    LEGACY SEGREGATED FUND PRODUCTS 

    Ongoing deposits to DSC funds continue when a segregated fund product does not have an alternative sales charge option available within the contract. This applies to the following products: 

    • Personal Investment Portfolio 
    • Pivotal Solutions II 
    • Pivotal Solutions DSC 

    Clients may continue to make new deposits to the DSC funds within the policy. Any new segregated fund deposits, as well as any existing segregated fund amounts within the policy, will retain the DSC schedule outlined in the contract. 

    For more information, please click here.

    Equitable's Advisor Services Team is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET at 1.866.884.7427 or by email at savingsretirement@equitable.ca. You can also contact your Regional Investment Sales Manager. 
     

    *Draft regulation in Quebec is currently under review which may affect Equitable Life’s approach for clients in the Province of Quebec with legacy segregated fund products. We will continue to monitor provincial regulatory developments. 

    ™ or ® denote registered trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada. 

    Date posted: May 4, 2023