Site Search
743 results for access here PROBLEMGO.com Need a bondsman who takes payment plans for release today
-
Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – September 2021
In this issue:
- Right drug, right dose*
- Responding to New Brunswick’s Biosimilar Initiative*
- Helping plan members access our convenient digital options*
- Reminder: Please access forms on EquitableHealth.ca*
- Over-age dependents losing coverage?*
Right drug, right dose
Equitable Life partners with Personalized Prescribing Inc. to help plan members avoid treatment trial and error
Patients suffering from mental health conditions often need to try several medications before they find one that works for them. This is frustrating and can result in negative side-effects, a longer recovery, lost productivity, or a delayed return to work.
To help plan members avoid this treatment trial and error, we have partnered with Personalized Prescribing Inc. to provide easier access to pharmacogenomic testing for plan members with mental health conditions.
Pharmacogenomics 101
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual’s genes influence their response to medications. Pharmacogenomic testing can help determine how compatible a patient’s body may be to a particular drug, and helps their physician prescribe the most appropriate medication. The goal is to ensure the right drug is prescribed to deliver the most positive outcome with the fewest side effects.
Easier access to pharmacogenomic testing
Through our partnership with Personalized Prescribing Inc., any Equitable Life plan member diagnosed with a mental health condition can purchase a pharmacogenomic test for a discounted price of $399 plus HST – a 20% savings.
We are also introducing the option for plan sponsors to add coverage of pharmacogenomic tests provided by Personalized Prescribing Inc. for mental health conditions.
With this coverage, plan members are eligible for pharmacogenomic testing if:- They have been diagnosed with a mental health condition;
- They are currently taking or have stopped taking a medication for a mental health condition that does not work or has side effects; and
- The pharmacogenomic test is conducted by Personalized Prescribing Inc.
Getting a test is easy. The plan member starts by visiting www.personalizedprescribing.com/equitablelife to request a test kit.
Once they receive their test kit from Personalized Prescribing Inc., they simply provide a saliva sample and send it back (postage is pre-paid). Within 7-10 business days, they receive an Rx Report™ that they can share with their doctor. This report includes details to help their doctor prescribe the right drug and the right dose for them.
Benefits for plan members:- The plan member and their physician receive a full report that is easy to understand;
- The report identifies the most compatible medications for the plan member’s condition and the medications to avoid;
- The physician is able to prescribe the most appropriate medication with the fewest side effects; and
- The plan member avoids medication trial and error.
- Pharmacogenomic testing can be an effective prevention strategy to help employees stay healthy and potentially avoid a mental health-related work absence; and
- Employees suffering from mental health conditions may be more productive when they are on the right medication for them.
Responding to New Brunswick’s Biosimilar Initiative
We are changing coverage for some biologic drugs in New Brunswick in response to the province’s Biosimilar Initiative. These changes will help protect your clients from additional drug costs while still providing access to equally safe and effective biosimilars.
What is New Brunswick’s Biosimilar Initiative?
New Brunswick’s Biosimilar Initiative will end provincial coverage of several originator biologic drugs for some or all conditions beginning on December 1, 2021. Patients 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.
What is the impact on private drug plans?
The most significant risk to plan sponsors who maintain coverage of originator biologics is coordination of benefits (CoB) risk. If other insurance carriers follow suit with the province and delist the originator biologics, it could expose a plan that doesn’t delist them to significant coordination of benefits risk.
For example, consider a patient who is covered under two private plans – their employer plan and a spousal plan. If their employer plan was the first payer for the originator biologic but delists the drug, the spousal plan now becomes the first payor. If the spousal plan continues to cover the cost of the originator, it now pays most or all of the cost of the drug.
How is Equitable Life responding?
To protect your clients’ plans from paying additional and avoidable drug costs, we are changing coverage in New Brunswick for most biologic drugs included in the provincial initiative.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2022, plan members in New Brunswick will no longer be eligible for coverage of Humira, Lantus, Humalog and Copaxone 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 those drugs to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan.
How will Equitable Life communicate this change to plan members?
We will be communicating with affected claimants in early-December 2021 to allow them ample time to change their prescriptions and avoid any interruptions in their treatment or their coverage.
Can my client maintain coverage of these biologic drugs?
All groups, except myFlex clients, who wish to opt out of this change and maintain coverage of these originator biologics for New Brunswick plan members can submit a policy amendment. Amendments must be submitted no later than Nov. 30, 2021.
Advisors with myFlex Benefits clients who wish to maintain coverage of these originator biologics for New Brunswick plan members should speak to their myFlex Sales Manager to confirm their eligibility to opt out of this change.
Groups that opt out of this change are also opting out of any future changes to our New Brunswick biosimilar initiative. Their drug plans will continue to cover any additional originator biologics that we subsequently add to the program.
Will this change impact my clients’ rates?
The rate impact of this change and 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.
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 also known as the “originator” biologic. Biosimilars are also biologics. They are highly similar to the originator drug they are based on and have been shown to have no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this change, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
Helping plan members access our convenient digital options
Some of your clients’ plan members aren’t benefitting from our secure and convenient digital options to access and use their Group Benefits. They can sign up to submit claims electronically for faster claim payments, get claim payments deposited directly to their bank accounts, easily review their coverage details, quickly access their Group Benefits plan booklet, benefits card and more. We’ve made it easier than ever to sign up, with more resources all conveniently located at Equitable.ca/go/digital.
Your clients’ plan members can visit this link to view:- A brochure with all the high-level instructions they need to get started on EquitableHealth.ca and the EZClaim mobile app
- A full video guide on how to access and navigate EquitableHealth.ca
Reminder: Please access forms on EquitableHealth.ca*
We routinely update our Plan Administrator forms on EquitableHealth.ca based on their feedback and to stay compliant with legal and/or regulatory requirements. If your clients need a form, they should always pull the most recent version from EquitableHealth.ca instead of reusing forms they have saved on their computer. Using an old or outdated form may result in processing delays.
Your clients can access the Plan Administrator forms by following these steps:- Login to EquitableHealth.ca
- Select “Documents”
- Toggle between English and French forms
- Click on the document name to download a PDF copy
Over-age dependents losing coverage?*
Some of your clients’ plan members may have dependents who are reaching the maximum age for eligibility under their group benefits plan.
If they are attending school full-time or are disabled, they may be eligible for continued coverage. Plan members with over-age dependents can simply complete the Application for Coverage of Dependent Child Over Age 21 (Form #441) and submit it through our online document submission tool. They can access the tool by logging into their Group Benefits account at www.equitablehealth.ca and clicking My Resources.
If they are not attending school full-time or disabled, they will no longer be covered under the plan. However, they may be eligible for Coverage2go®. It allows individuals who are losing their group coverage to purchase personal month-to-month health and dental coverage that is affordable, reliable and works like their previous group benefits plan. They can choose the level of coverage and protection that suits their personal situation.
There are no medical questions – they simply need to apply within 60 days of losing their health coverage under their group benefits plan.*
Help your clients’ plan members and their dependents who are losing coverage by letting them know about Coverage2go. They can visit our website to learn more about Coverage2go and to get a quote.
*Quebec residents are not eligible for Coverage2go -
Passkey: The fastest, safest way to log in to Client Access
We’ve upgraded the Client Access® portal to make access easier and more secure.
What’s new?
• Passkey: The easiest way to log in
Passkey is now available across all Equitable portals. With passkey, clients can log in quickly and securely using biometrics like face or fingerprint recognition, eliminating the need for passwords.
• Extra protection for email/password users
For clients who continue to use their email and password, extra security may be required. Clients may be prompted to enter a one-time passcode sent to their email, ensuring only authorized access.
What you need to know:
• Clients sign in to Client Access the same way you do on EquiNet, making it easier to support your clients.
• “Forgot email” is available to help clients recover the email they need to log in.
• Passkey setup is easy and safe. Just follow the prompts when you login. Watch the video to learn how to create a passkey. -
New! Digital Beneficiary Change Request option for clients (Individual insurance)
Great news! Equitable® has introduced a new Digital Beneficiary Change Request option for life insurance clients on Client Access.
Clients with eligible plans can now choose to make beneficiary changes directly online. It is another step in Equitable’s journey of enhancing the client experience.
Which plans are eligible?
Eligible
• Individually owned plans with revocable beneficiary designations.
• Plans with policy owners not living in Quebec.
Not eligible
• Plans with irrevocable or preferred beneficiaries.
• Plans with policy owners living in Quebec.
Our previous process, using form (#671BCF), has not changed. It continues to be available for those who prefer that option.
Note: The new Digital Beneficiary Change Request is currently only available to clients. We will be launching an advisor online option soon. Going forward, we will not make self serve transactions available to clients ahead of advisors.
Learn more: Please contact your local Equitable wholesaler. -
COVID-19 testing: Find the information you need
This news item has also been posted to the plan administrator and plan member sections of EquitableHealth.ca
The Ontario government recently announced it has expanded access to COVID-19 testing to include select pharmacies throughout the province. As the pandemic continues, it’s important to know how to access testing if you’re experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or suspect you have been exposed to the virus.
Guidelines for who should get tested and how to access testing vary across the country, so it can be difficult to know what applies in your jurisdiction.
To help make it easier, we’ve provided links to COVID-19 testing resources for each province and territory. The resources include self assessments, guidelines for who should get tested, how to access testing, and testing locations.
-
Update: Improved Employee Assistance from Homewood Health
As we announced in June, we are expanding our relationship with Homewood Health to help you meet the mental health and wellness needs of your employees and their families. Beginning Oct. 1, 2019, Homewood will be the new provider of both our Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and our online health and wellness services.
Following the transition to Homewood, plan members will benefit from added features:
- Signing in to Homewood Health online allows the platform to customize content unique to your interests.
- All plan members will have access to a Health Risk Assessment to help identify health and wellness barriers.
- i-Volve, Homewood's online cognitive behavioural therapy program is available for all plan members to help them manage anxiety and depression.
Learn more about Homewood Health and how they will be providing your plan members with exceptional EFAP and online health and wellness resources.
What does the transition to Homewood mean for you and your plan members?
We will be working with you in the coming months to facilitate the transition and support your employees. Most importantly, there will be no disruption of service delivery to employees who are currently in short-term counselling with our current EFAP provider.
The transition timeline
Groups without an EFAP
Online health and wellness resources will be available through EquitableHealth.ca just as they are now. Here's what you can expect in the coming months.
September
- We will send plan administrators an email with more details about the resources available to assist in the transition, including:
- How to register for Homewood Health online
- A video orientation for plan members
October
- October 1st – plan members can access the Homewood online resources! They simply need to visit homeweb.ca/Equitable to sign up and create their unique login.
The transition timeline
Groups with an EFAP
We’ve created a helpful infographic that outlines the steps involved in the transition to the Homewood Health EFAP over the coming months. Please save or print it for easy reference. Below are some of the highlights.
August
- We will send plan administrators an email with official notice that the enrolment certificate for our current EAP provider, LifeWorks, will terminate on Sept. 30, 2019, and that Homewood Health Inc. will be our new Employee Assistance Program provider as of Oct. 1.
September
- Homewood will send you a welcome email, including how to access the EFAP, who to contact for support and where to find resources to help share the news with plan members.
- Homewood will follow up directly to answer any questions you may have.
- Homewood will begin offering orientation and training sessions for both plan administrators and plan members. These will be running throughout the fall so you can attend at your convenience.
October
- October 1st – plan members can access the Homewood EFAP and online resources! They simply need to visit homeweb.ca/Equitable to sign up and create their unique login.
- Orientation and training sessions will continue to be available for both plan administrators and plan members throughout October.
Learn More
The resources listed below answer common questions about Homewood and our EFAP transition:
If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
- [pdf] Excelerator deposit option Q&A
- Administration Reference Guide for Individual Wealth
- [pdf] Equitable GIF Registered Application