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  1. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin - July 2021

    In this issue:

    *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients
     

    Fabien Jeudy takes over as President and CEO*

    In March, we announced that Fabien Jeudy was appointed as Equitable Life’s next President and CEO. Jeudy officially took over on July 5th, succeeding Ronald Beettam, who is retiring after 16 years with the company.

    Jeudy is a collaborative leader with more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, leading actuarial, finance, risk management, distribution, marketing teams and operational teams in the Life & Health Insurance, Wealth Management and Group Benefits markets in Canada, the US, and Asia.

    Reminder: Equitable Life’s Guide to Accessing Virtual Healthcare*

    The demand for virtual healthcare services has increased as the pandemic is driving more people to access their health care providers from home.
     
    Thankfully, many virtual healthcare services are available for free to Canadians with provincial health care coverage. We have created a Guide to Accessing Virtual Healthcare for plan members to easily access a variety of virtual healthcare services. Our guide includes information and links to both free and paid virtual medical care options, including video appointments, health advice over the phone, emergency dental services, and more.
     
    You can find the guide on our website. It’s also available on our plan member website at EquitableHealth.ca.

    Mental health resources for plan members*

    Many Canadians have been experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.
     
    Homewood’s Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy tool, i-Volve, can help plan members identify, challenge and overcome anxious thoughts, behaviours and emotions. Learn more about Online CBT or access i-Volve at Homeweb.ca/Equitable.
     
    As well, Homewood has a number of resources available to help support plan members dealing with increased anxiety during these uncertain times: Please encourage your clients to share these resources with their plan members. They are also available on our plan member website at EquitableHealth.ca.

    Recall of Philips CPAP machines*

    Last month, electronics company, Philips, issued a recall with Health Canada of some of its Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiLevel PAP) devices and Mechanical Ventilators. The recall was issued due to a foam abatement within the machines that can become loose and cause potential health risks.

    To qualify for repair or replacement of these devices, users must register their machine on the Philips website. 
     
    CPAP, BiLevel PAP devices and Mechanical Ventilators are eligible for coverage under an HCSA and under some Extended Health Care plans. Plan administrators may want to inform plan members of this recall if the devices are eligible for coverage under their plan. 
     
  2. May 2023 eNews

    Update: Introducing changes to our Diabetes Management Program

    Beginning June 1, 2023, we are introducing additional standard drug plan controls as part of our Diabetes Management Program.
     
    The controls will apply to GLP-1 agonists approved by Health Canada for the treatment of diabetes, such as: Adlyxine, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza. 
     
    This change will help manage the impact of these high-cost diabetes medications for your clients while continuing to provide plan members with access to effective treatments to manage their disease.
     

    Why are we introducing this change?

    GLP-1 agonists are the highest cost diabetes drugs on the market. Current Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend that most Type 2 diabetics begin treatment with lower-cost and equally effective first-line therapies, such as Metformin.
     
    Some GLP-1 agonists are also used “off-label”. In other words, they are often prescribed for conditions for which they have not been approved by Health Canada, such as weight loss.
     
    These additional controls will help ensure that these drugs are used appropriately – only for the treatment of diabetes and only after other first-line treatments have been tried.
     
    If a client wishes to provide coverage for drugs specifically approved by Health Canada for weight loss, we have coverage options available.    
     

    How will this program work?

    Plan members who receive a new prescription for a GLP-1 agonist will need to try a first-line diabetic treatment before they are eligible for coverage of the GLP-1 agonist. If the plan member has previously tried first-line therapies and found them ineffective, they will be eligible for a GLP-1 agonist.
     
    Plan members who are already taking a GLP-1 agonist to treat diabetes will continue to be eligible for coverage. Some claimants may need to provide confirmation of their diabetes diagnosis from their physician or pharmacist in order to maintain coverage. We will provide claimants ample time to confirm their diagnosis.
     

    Questions?

    If you have any questions about these additional standard controls or how they will impact your clients, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
     

    Coming soon: Survey for plan administrators with recent disability claims

    We are regularly enhancing our communication processes to help your clients with disability plans manage their workplace absences more effectively. Later this month, we will distribute a short survey to plan administrators who have submitted a disability claim in the past six months. The survey will ask recipients about their satisfaction with the frequency and detail of our disability management communications.

    The email will come from GBClientFeedback@equitable.ca, and the survey will remain open until the end of the day on May 19, 2023. All responses will be confidential. Survey respondents will receive the option to provide their contact information so that we can follow up on feedback they have provided.

    We plan to use the feedback to help ensure that we’re meeting your clients’ expectations and delivering industry-leading service.

    In a previous issue of eNews, we published a list of the average dental fee increases for general practitioners based on the latest Provincial and Territorial Dental Association fee guides.

    Since then, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) has updated the 2023 dental fees for some provinces. Provinces with dental fee updates since our previous eNews are bolded and italicized. 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 2023.
     
  3. [pdf] Retirement Income Fund Understanding minimum withdrawal percentages
  4. New year tune-up for Equimax participating whole life
    It’s a new year and time for an Equimax® tune up! We have made some exciting changes for new sales of Equimax Estate Builder® and Equimax Wealth Accumulator® effective February 11, 2023.

    These exciting enhancements make Equimax even more robust, simpler and cost effective, to ensure it continues to be the preferred participating whole life solution for clients and advisors alike.

    Watch our informative video to learn more.
     
    Check out our Equimax splash page for complete details on all the enhancements, our transition rules, and much more.
     








    What’s new?
    • All new children’s policies will now be issued as non-smoker for life – we will no longer request a non-smoker declaration for new children's policies.
    • We have also removed the policy fees on new Equimax sales, reducing total premium payments – allowing clients to buy even more coverage for the same payment.
    But there’s more to our Equimax tune-up!
    The following enhancements add more value, making it easier for you to recommend Equimax as your preferred whole life solution.
    • Monthly Excelerator Deposit Option(EDO) payments and EDO payments received off anniversary will now buy more paid-up additional insurance,
    • Dividends earned on EDO payment paid-up additions, and credited on the base policy, can now buy even more paid-up additions,
    • New clients now have the option to elect individual policies on joint last to die (JLTD) plans if their personal situation changes,
    • We have also changed the way we calculate monthly premiums – resulting in lower premium payments across the board,
    • And we have added our KIND™ benefit program to Equimax, as we did for our newest Generations Universal Life  solution last September – making it easier for families and beneficiaries at claim time.
    • And, finally, we are introducing some new sales illustration features, a Web-based software and more to help you market Equimax!
    Visit our splash page and watch our informative video to learn more and start selling the enhanced Equimax today.
     
    Plus, visit our Equimax product page on EquiNet®, then click on the Marketing Materials tab for the latest Equimax marketing materials.
     
    Need more information? Please contact your local wholesaler.
     
     ® and ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada.
  5. Giuliano Savini, Top 50 Best Wealth Management Wholesalers in Canada for 2023 award recipient


    Meet Giuliano Savini, Regional Investment Sales Manager for the Greater Toronto Area, who was recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Best Wealth Management Wholesalers in Canada for 2023 by Wealth Professional Canada. We congratulate Giuliano on this prestigious industry award, which acknowledges his invaluable expertise and contribution to the field of wealth management wholesaling.

    When asked what inspired him to pursue a career in this field, Giuliano credits a call from a trusted friend, Joseph Trozzo, who recommended Equitable as an excellent place to work. He joined the company four years ago and has not looked back. For Giuliano, the motivation lies in the meaningful work he does through his advisors and territory, finding the best solutions for their needs.

    His greatest achievement at Equitable, according to Giuliano, is the recognition as one of the Top 50 Wealth Wholesalers in Canada. What makes this accomplishment even more special is that the award is advisor-nominated, which means his advisors recognized the impact of his work in helping them succeed.

    Looking at his career overall, Giuliano takes pride in the relationships he has built with his advisors and territory over the years. He is proud to be recognized as a subject-matter expert and a business builder, always aiming to be a partner in his advisors' success.

    When asked for advice for those starting out in the industry, Giuliano emphasizes the importance of focusing on the success of their advisors. He advises them to use their advisors' success to drive sales and always keep them at the forefront of their business.

    Looking ahead, Giuliano sees the industry evolving into a more consultative and partnership-oriented approach. He believes that wholesalers will need to expand their knowledge base beyond competitive product information and into areas like marketing, investor psychology, and practice management to maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

    To read more about Giuliano and the other Top 50 Wealth Management Wholesalers in Canada, visit Wealth Professional Canada's website.


    Posted : April 12, 2023
  6. Celebrating our most popular Pivotal Select funds

    In August 2022, Equitable® launched 12 new segregated funds in Pivotal Select’s Investment Class (75/75). We wanted to bring some new innovative solutions to the product, including six sustainable investment funds. To say the launch of these funds was successful would be an understatement.

    The funds are quickly becoming some of the most popular funds in Pivotal Select™, and their performance in 2023 was impressive. Equitable wants to celebrate these funds and encourage clients to consider them for their portfolios.

    As of February 29, 2024, nine out of the 12 funds received a 1st quartile ranking for their 1-year return and two more were 2nd quartile. The table below shows the new funds that ranked in the top two quartiles for their 1-year returns.


    TABLE-1-FINAL-EN.png

    Access additional fund performance information

    If you haven’t looked at these funds yet, now is the time. Speak to clients about their investment options and see if these funds fit within their investment portfolio.

    Talk to your Director, Investment Sales today for more information.

     

    Disclaimer

    Any amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contractholder and may increase or decrease in value. Segregated fund values change frequently, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors do not purchase an interest in underlying securities or funds, but rather, an individual variable insurance contract issued by The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada. There are risks involved with investing in segregated funds. Please read the Contract and Information Folder before investing for a description of risks relevant to each segregated fund and for a complete description of product features and guarantees. Copies of the Contract and Information Folder are available on equitable.ca.

    Management Expense Ratios (MERs) are based on figures as of February 29, 2024, and are unaudited. MERs may vary at any time. The MER is the combination of the management fee, insurance fee, operating expenses, HST, and any other applicable non-income tax for the fund and for the underlying fund. For clients with larger contract values, a Management Fee Reduction may be available through the Preferred Pricing Program. For details, please see the Pivotal Select Contract and Information Folder.

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

     

    Posted April 18, 2024 

  7. New Year, New Opportunities—Explore Equitable’s Competitive Term Life Solution The new year brings new opportunities to help clients feel confident about their financial future. Equitable’s term rates are among the best on LifeGuide in key markets*, combined with our flexibility and support, making us a great choice for clients. Run an illustration now!

    Why choose Equitable for term life insurance?

    • Great rates – we’ve recently repriced! On average, we reduced our monthly term rates by 5%. Check out our great term rates for yourself.  Tip! For best term rates, choose monthly premiums.
    • Flexibility to change the term plan** – life is always changing, and so do life insurance needs. Offer clients the flexibility to:
         • Exchange term plans: from Term 10 to Term 20 or Term 30/65. They can also exchange from Term 20 to Term 30/65.
         • Convert to permanent coverage: Offer clients the security of changing their term plan to any of our permanent plans without underwriting.
    • Partial term conversion with term rider carryover: Convert part of the term coverage into permanent protection and carry over the remaining coverage as any term rider plan.
    • Extra support when it matters most – our KIND® program offers a suite of benefits for clients and their families. This reflects our deep commitment to standing by them when it matters most. 




    Build client relationships with trusted protection
    This year, and every year, strengthen your client relationships by choosing Equitable for term life protection. With our flexible solutions, innovative features, and unwavering support, you can help clients move forward with confidence.

    Start the year off by helping clients meet their insurance needs with a term plan.

    Run a quote today!

    Contact your Equitable wholesaler today to learn more!

     *Effective November 22, 2025. Our monthly term rates are ranked among the best on LifeGuide when compared against top carriers in key markets. 
    ** Administrative rules and age limits apply to exchanges and conversions. Please see the policy for details. The policy governs in all cases.
     
  8. Steady may be better than perfect. Why dollar-cost averaging matters.


    If clients are saving for a first home, staying consistent matters. A quick explanation of dollar‑cost averaging (DCA) helps them see why investing the same amount on a regular schedule can help reduce the stress of volatility, remove guesswork and keep their First Home Savings Account (FHSA) savings on track — giving you a natural bridge to Equitable’s Grow Your Way Home contest this summer.  

    Reinforce that DCA is about time in the market and consistent behaviour, not trying to pick the “perfect moment.” Here are a few talking points to work DCA into your FHSA conversations.  

    “Consistency beats guesswork.”  

    With DCA, clients contribute a fixed amount on a set cadence (e.g., bi‑weekly). That discipline can help them keep moving toward their saving goals even when headlines are noisy.  

    “Different prices, naturally.”  

    Regular contributions mean clients buy at various price points over time, which can help smooth out the impact of market ups and downs and also help spread risk.  

     

    “Make it automatic.”  

    Align DCA to paydays. Automating bi‑weekly FHSA deposits builds habit, helps reduce friction and keeps clients progressing toward their first home.  


    As you continue FHSA conversations this summer, remind clients that DCA plus automation helps them participate consistently, through all market conditions. And from May 1 to August 31, 2026, every Equitable FHSA account opened and every deposit to an FHSA account earns automatic entries in Equitable’s Grow Your Way Home contest.  

    Use EZcomplete® and EZtransact® to keep contributions seamless and connect with your Director, Investment Sales for additional support, tools and ideas to help you continue these conversations throughout the summer. 

     

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

    Equitable’s Grow Your Way Home contest: No purchase necessary. Contest period is May 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. Enter by: opening an Equitable FHSA during the Contest Period; making a deposit to your Equitable FHSA during the Contest Period; or submitting a no-purchase entry. Two prizes of $8,000 each to be drawn on September 21, 2026 will be awarded to clients. The servicing advisor for the selected entrant’s relevant FHSA contract is also an eligible winner and will receive a $1,000 prize. 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 the full contest rules. 

  9. Update on our service levels during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Supporting your clients and their plan members is more important than ever during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

    So, we’re providing an update on our service levels.

    We acted quickly to ensure there were no disruptions in service – most of our staff were working remotely from home and fully functional within a few days. We’ve reallocated resources from functions where volumes are down, such as dental claims, to those experiencing higher volumes. We also created a separate queue for COVID-19-related STD claims.

    As a result, we’ve been able to maintain the industry-leading service levels you have come to expect from us, and our turnaround times continue to be well within our targets.

    Here’s a summary of what you and your clients can currently expect in terms of average turnaround times:

    Service category Average Turnaround Time
    (as of April 26th)
    Customer Care Centre wait times 89% of calls answered within 20 seconds
    Responses to emails to our Service Team Within 24 hours
    Health claims 2 days
    Dental claims 2 days
    Life claims 1 day
    STD claims 4 days
    LTD claims 4 days
    Plan member updates 2 days
    New customer implementations 16 days
    COVID-19-related plan amendments 4 days
    Other plan amendments 8 days
    Quotes 2 days ahead of deadline

    We will closely monitor the situation and continue to adapt to ensure we maintain our service levels. And we will do our best to resolve any service issues that arise as quickly as possible.

    Please feel free to contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager and let us know how we’re doing.

  10. Changes to coverage of Humira in BC BC Pharmacare recently announced it is adding Humira to the list of drugs included in its ongoing initiative to switch patients to biosimilar versions of high-cost biologics. Patients taking Humira for most conditions will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug by Oct. 7, 2021 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 Humira for plan members in BC. Effective Oct. 7, 2021, claimants currently taking Humira will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable Life plan.
     
    We will be communicating this change to plan administrators later this week. And we will be communicating with affected claimants in early August 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.