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  1. Group - COVID-19 Group Benefits Updates

    As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, it’s important that you have the most up-to-date information about how it impacts you, your clients and their plan members. To help, we have created a COVID-19 Updates page on EquiNet, our secure advisor site. There you will find links to past editions of our eNews, as well as the most up to date FAQ. Please check back often. We will continue to provide timely updates on any developments that impact our clients and their plan members or their benefits coverage.

    Open our EquiNet COVID-19 Updates page

  2. 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.
  3. [pdf] Path to Success Client Email Template
  4. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin – March 2022 In this issue: *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
     

    CLHIA launches industry anti-fraud initiative*

    In February, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) announced a new anti-fraud initiative that is using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to further identify and reduce benefits fraud.
     
    Equitable Life is excited to be a part of this important initiative. It will enhance our own fraud detection analytics by using AI to connect the dots across a huge pool of anonymized claims data. This will lead to more investigations and actions to mitigate the impact of fraud on your clients’ plans.
     
    The initiative is being led by the CLHIA and member insurers and is supported by technology provider Shift Technologies. It will be further rolled-out and expanded over the next three years.
     
    Benefits fraud affects more than just insurers. The costs of fraud are felt by employers and their employees as well. We are looking forward to being able to better identify and reduce benefits fraud.
     

    Provincial biosimilar update*

    BC expands its biosimilar initiative
    BC Pharmacare recently announced it is adding two rapid-acting insulins to the list of drugs included in its ongoing initiative to switch patients to biosimilar versions of high-cost biologics. Patients taking Humalog or NovoRapid for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drugs by May 29, 2022 to maintain coverage under the public plan.

    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 biologic drugs they are based on, and Health Canada considers them to be equally safe and effective for approved conditions.

    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 Humalog or NovoRapid for plan members in BC. Effective June 1, 2022, claimants currently taking Humalog or NovoRapid will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drugs to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan and their BC Pharmacare plan.

    We will be communicating this change to plan administrators later this week. And we will be communicating with affected claimants in early April to allow ample time to change their prescription 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 Sales Manager.

    Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories introduce biosimilar initiatives
    The governments of Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories each recently announced they are launching biosimilar initiatives to switch patients from certain originator biologic drugs to biosimilar versions of the drugs.

    Patients in Nova Scotia using affected originator biologic drugs will have until February 2023 to switch to a biosimilar version of their medications in order to maintain coverage under the province’s public drug plans. Patients in the Northwest Territories will have until June 20, 2022, to switch.

    Equitable Life® actively monitors and investigates all biosimilar policy changes and the ongoing evolution of biosimilar drugs entering Canada.  We will keep you informed of any impact on private drug plans and how we are responding.
     

    Quebec decreasing insurance premium tax*

    The Quebec Government has announced that it plans to decrease its Insurance Premium Tax rates effective April 1, 2022. The premium tax rates for group life and accident and sickness insurance are expected to decrease from 3.48% to 3.3%. The new tax rates will be applied to premiums for the billing period beginning on or after April 1, 2022.
     

    Coming soon: A survey to understand how we can better serve your clients’ needs*

    We are committed to providing your clients and their plan members with industry-leading service. We’ve introduced several enhancements over the past year to make it easier to do business with us. And we’re continually looking for ways to improve.
     
    In the coming weeks, we will conduct a survey of your clients to help us understand how we can better serve them. On March 28, we will send plan administrators an email with a link to the survey. The survey will remain open until the end of the day on April 11 and will take between five and 10 minutes to complete. Please encourage your clients to participate. Their feedback will be confidential, and their responses will help us improve our service and ensure we’re meeting their expectations. We may also follow up with plan administrators directly to address any concerns they’ve identified.
     
    We know your clients’ time is valuable. So, each plan administrator who completes the survey will be entered into a random draw for a chance to win one of 25 prepaid gift cards for $25.
     

    Remind your clients’ plan members in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to register for Pharmacare*

    If your clients have plan members in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan, the provincial government offers a Pharmacare program to support prescription drug costs.  Plan members in these provinces must register for their provincial Pharmacare program to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life drug plan.
     
    Registration is easy! We will send two registration reminder messages directly to plan members’ pharmacists and post them on their Explanation of Benefits. We’ve also created a step-by-step guide that your clients can share with their plan members.
     
    English version
    French version
     
    For more information about the provincial Pharmacare programs, including how plan members can register, please visit:
     
    For British Columbia residents: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents  
     
    For Manitoba residents: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare/apply.html
     
    For Saskatchewan residents: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/prescription-drug-plans-and-health-coverage/extended-benefits-and%20drug-plan/drug-cost-assistance#eligibility
     
     
  5. Digital tools for your clients and their plan members

    In this issue:

    • Digital tools for your clients and their plan members*
    • QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2024*
    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients.
     

    Digital tools for your clients and their plan members*

    Do your clients know how to use all the available digital tools in their Equitable® benefits plans? With useful features for both plan administrators and their members, it’s even easier for your clients to access their plans online. 

    Tools for plan administrators

    • Our online plan member enrolment tool lets groups and administrators add new plan members online without completing paper forms
    • The EquitableHealth.ca plan administrator portal makes it easy for plan administrators to manage their plan anytime and anywhere. Helpful features include:
      • A premium calculator to calculate monthly costs for plan members
      • A simple process for updating plan member information
    • Digital welcome kits provide personalized information directly to plan members through email
    • Easy, automated payment options help plan administrators avoid missed payments by offering pre-authorized debit or electronic funds transfer

    Tools for plan members

    • Our plan member portal at EquitableHealth.ca provides secure, 24/7 access to claims history and coverage details. It also lets members submit claims, and includes health and wellness resources
    • Electronic notifications and claims payments give plan members claim updates via email and deposit payments directly into their bank account
    • The Equitable EZClaim® mobile app lets plan members submit claims quickly and securely on-the-go from their mobile device
    • Digital benefits cards give plan members the convenience to access their benefits cards easily from a mobile device

    Help with digital benefits tools

    We’ve created a brochure and video guide to help plan members use digital tools for a smoother, more convenient benefits experience. 

    Plan members can contact us at 1.800.265.4556 and select the option for Web Support if they need further assistance.
     

    QDIPC updates terms and conditions for 2024*

    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 2024 to reflect trends in the volume of claims submitted to the pool, particularly catastrophic claims. These updates take effect January 1, 2024. You can view the updates here.

    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 Account Executive.

     
  6. Responding to Alberta's Biosimilar Initiative

    Beginning 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 clients from additional drug costs that may result from this new government policy while still providing access to equally safe and effective biosimilars.

    What is Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative?

    Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative will end provincial coverage of several originator biologic drugs for some or all conditions beginning on Jan. 15, 2021. 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.

    What is the impact on private drug plans?

    Industry response to Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative has the potential to significantly impact your clients’ drug plan costs. 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. (See Case Study below.)

    How is Equitable Life responding?

    To protect your clients’ plans from paying additional and avoidable drug costs, we are changing coverage in Alberta for most biologic drugs included in the provincial initiative.

    As of March 15, 2021, several originator biologic drugs will no longer be covered for plan members of all ages in Alberta. Plan members taking these biologics will be required to switch to the biosimilar versions of these drugs to maintain eligibility under their Equitable Life plan.

    What drugs and conditions are affected?

    The following table outlines the drugs and conditions that will be affected by this change. The list of affected drugs or conditions is dynamic and will change as Alberta includes more biologic drugs in its Biosimilar Initiative, as new biosimilars come onto the market, and as we make changes in drug eligibility.

    Drug name Originator biologic
     
    These drugs will no longer be covered in Alberta for the conditions listed in this table.    		 Biosimilar
     
    Plan members will need to switch to these medications to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan.
         		 Affected health conditions
     
    The changes in coverage apply to these conditions.
     Etanercept  Enbrel Brenzys
    Erelzi    		 Ankylosing Spondylitis
    Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
    Psoriatic Arthritis
    Plaque Psoriasis (adults and children)
     Infliximab  Remicade Inflectra
    Renflexis
    Avsola    		 Ankylosing Spondylitis
    Plaque Psoriasis
    Psoriatic Arthritis
    Rheumatoid Arthritis
    Crohn's Disease (adults and children)
    Ulcerative Colitis (adults and children)
     Insulin glargine  Lantus Basaglar Diabetes (Type 1 and 2)
     Filgrastim  Neupogen Grastofil
    Nivestym    		 Neutropenia
     Pegfilgrastim  Neulasta Lapelga
    Fulphila
    Ziextenzo    		 Neutropenia
     Glatiramer*  Copaxone Glatect
    TEVA-Glatiramer Acetate    		 Multiple Sclerosis

    *Glatiramer is a non-biologic complex drug.

    How will Equitable Life communicate this change to plan members?

    We will be communicating with affected claimants in January 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?

    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.

    Will this change impact my clients’ rates?

    The rate impact of this change in coverage will be relatively insignificant. 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.

    CASE STUDY: The Alberta Biosimilar Initiative and Coordination of Benefits (CoB) risk

    CoB risk is real and can be significant, even if a pharmaceutical savings program exists.

    The industry response to Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative has the potential to significantly impact your clients’ drug plan costs. Some insurers may follow the province’s lead and delist these originator biologics. Others may cut back coverage to the cost of the biosimilars or maintain coverage of the originators. These differences could expose a plan that doesn’t delist the originator biologics to significant coordination of benefits risk. Here’s how:

    Let’s assume there are two private drug plans – Plan A and Plan B. Both plans are open plans with no deductible. Plan A has 80% co-insurance and Plan B has 100% co-insurance.

    BEFORE Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative

    Before Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative, both plans cover the originator biologics listed above.

    Plan A is the first private payer for an Alberta plan member taking an originator biologic drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Plan B is the second private payer. The cost of the originator biologic for the plan member is $30,000 annually. Here’s how the coordination of benefits would look before Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative.


    AFTER Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative

    In response to Alberta’s Biosimilar Initiative, the insurer for Plan A delists the originator biologic and requires plan members to switch to the biosimilar. The insurer for Plan B maintains coverage of the originator biologic. Under this scenario, if the plan member doesn’t switch, Plan B essentially becomes the first payer and sees their annual cost increase by 400% (from $6,000 to $30,000).


    Even if the insurer for Plan B cuts back coverage to the cost of the biosimilar or adjusts the paid amount because they have a savings program in place with the drug manufacturer, the impact could be significant. For example, if the insurer cuts back coverage to 50% (or $15,000 annually), Plan B would see a 150% annual cost increase (from $6,000 to $15,000):

  7. EXCITING NEWS! Digital Transactions for Universal Life Plans Now Available We are happy to announce a major update to our digital systems that makes managing Equitable Universal Life (UL) policies easier than ever. Starting now, you can use digital transactions to submit your clients’ instructions to change their UL deposit allocations and transfer funds between accounts.
     
    This update builds on the recent launch of our digital policy loan request on EquiNet® and is another step towards making your Equitable® experience easier and more convenient.

    What's New?
    In the past, you had to submit written requests for UL deposit allocation changes and account value transfers using the Universal Life Form 693UL (you can still use this method if you prefer).
     
    Now, you can manage these transactions directly through the secure EquiNet advisor portal. This new process also allows clients to securely approve their requested changes by email.
     
    To get started, simply log into your account on EquiNet and go to the Policy Inquiry tab.
    We have provided a brief user guide to help you through the steps.
     
    We trust that this digital upgrade will enhance the way you work with Equitable. Stay tuned for more digital enhancements in the near future!
     
    Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
     
    Questions? For more information, please reach out to your wholesaler or our customer service team.
     
     
    ® or TM denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
     
  8. An update on Travel Assist coverage

    The last several months have been very difficult for plan members. We recognize how important it is for them to get back to a sense of normalcy, including making summer travel plans.

    As countries start to reopen their borders, plan members with Travel Assist emergency medical benefits may have questions about whether they will be covered while travelling.

    For plan members who want to travel outside of Canada, here’s what they need to know.

    Out-of-country travel

    Plan members travelling to countries that are popular vacation destinations and have reopened their borders will be covered for eligible expenses, including those related to COVID-19.

    Please note: While a country may be open for travel, plan members should contact Allianz before departing to confirm that they are covered for travel to their specific destination.

    Plan members travelling to countries for which the Government of Canada has issued a Level 4 travel advisory (“Avoid all travel”) will not be covered.

    Please note that every country has different travel restrictions. Travelers could be denied entry to another country, even though their travel may be considered essential. Or they may be forced to self-isolate when they arrive at their destination. Canadians travelling to another country should consult that country’s travel restrictions and guidelines before departure and re-entry into Canada.

    Communicating with plan members

    Below is a link to a plan member version of this communication. Please encourage your clients to share this with their plan members who have Travel Assist coverage on their benefits plan. It’s important for them to know their coverage details before they make their travel plans. We have also posted this update on the plan member website at EquitableHealth.ca.

    An update on Travel Assist coverage PDF

    If you have questions, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.

  9. Get the Straight Talk on Equitable’s par account performance

    Real answers to big questions

    At Equitable, we understand how important it is to make confident decisions when dealing with large cases. When you have questions, you need concise, direct insights from leaders and subject matter experts.

    Introducing the Straight Talk video series

    Today, we are thrilled to share the first episode of Straight Talk. This episode features Mark Arruda, VP of Individual Insurance Pricing and Finance.

    Mark talks about how Equitable’s par account is built to perform in all kinds of conditions, with strong governance, disciplined risk management, and prudent capital practices that ensure stability even when large life insurance claims are paid out.

    Watch Straight Talk for straight answers to the questions that matter most.

    Contact your Equitable Wholesaler to learn more about Equimax.

     

     

  10. Will the Money Last Calculator