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1. [pdf] Retirement Income Fund Understanding minimum withdrawal percentages
2. Compliance Resources
3. Financial planning concepts & tools
4. 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
5. EZstart
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. Equitable Life Group Benefits Bulletin - September 2022

   Homewood Health launches Sentio, an upgraded iCBT platform

   Equitable Life’s mental health partner, Homewood Health, has launched Sentio, an upgraded platform for Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT). This self-directed platform is now available to all Equitable Life clients, and it replaces Homewood’s previous iCBT platform, i-Volve.
   
   Sentio Self-Directed iCBT is a comprehensive digital cognitive behavioural therapy platform. Developed by Homewood’s mental health experts, it is an action-oriented solution for plan members, giving them practical resources and activities to help with their depression, anxiety and overall mental health challenges.
    
   Available as a standalone app, on mobile, tablet and desktop, Sentio contains over 20 unique treatment goals for issues like stress management, improving sleep, managing depressive thoughts, and coping with panic. Users can work through treatment goals in any order, at their own pace. It also includes tools and resources to help plan members build skills and change their thought patterns. 

   Sentio iCBT benefits

   Sentio integrates seamlessly with Homewood Pathfinder so that users can easily locate and take advantage of the iCBT activities available. Sentio also includes a number of unique features:
   • More interactive features and activities to help plan members build valuable mental health skills
   • Integrated symptom measurement and progress tracking
   • Interactive multimedia learning and cognitive exercises to enhance learning
   • Progress, learnings, and exercises that have been accessed are available to be re-accessed for 12 months 
   Access to i-Volve will end 30 days after your clients received access to Sentio, but plan members can complete any in-progress sessions until then.
   
   Please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager if you have any questions.
    

   Streamlining disability claims with Opifiny

    Equitable Life is partnering with Opifiny to provide a quicker and more seamless disability claims experience.
    
   Opifiny is an online platform that streamlines the disability claims process for consulting physicians, benefits plan sponsors, and disability plan members. Equitable Life will be using Opifiny for ongoing disability claims management, modernizing the process of gathering medical assessments and information.
    
   Disability claims frequently involve several instances of correspondence between Equitable Life and the plan member’s medical team. By using the secure platform, health care professionals can access, respond to and process medical insurance requests easily from any device. They can typically complete administrative tasks associated with disability claims in a quarter of the time. The platform is secure and protects the privacy of their patients’ confidential information.
    
   By digitizing and modernizing the claims management process for doctors, Equitable Life will have faster access to higher quality claims information. For some claims, using Opifiny may enable Equitable Life to help plan members safely return to work sooner.
    

   Reminder: Obtaining plan member signatures on all administration forms

   Please remind your clients that plan members must sign all administration forms, including enrolment forms, benefits change forms, and beneficiary designation forms. Once completed, a plan administrator can keep the form or send it to us. We are not able to accept a beneficiary designation that has not been signed by the plan member. Having appropriately signed forms helps to ensure that any life insurance claims are paid to the intended recipients.
   
   For your clients’ convenience, forms can be signed electronically using one of our approved vendors, which include DocuSign, BambooHR, Adobe Sign, and many more.
   
   If you have questions about providing signed forms, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager.
    

   Correction: Coverage for full-time students and dependents with disabilities

   In our August edition of eNews, we provided incorrect information about benefits coverage options for over-age dependents. We indicated that over-age dependents who are full-time students may continue to be eligible under the plan member’s benefits plan if they are studying in their home province. However, attending a post-secondary institution in their home province is not a requirement for continued eligibility. Dependents who are full-time students may continue to be eligible for coverage regardless of where in Canada they are attending post-secondary education.
   
   If your clients have any questions about extending coverage for over-age dependents that are full-time students, please notify them of this error.
    
   We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused.
   
   
    
8. Tax impacts of the Canadian Dental Care Plan for your clients

   Tax impacts of the Canadian Dental Care Plan for your clients*

   
   Earlier this year, the government shared its progress on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). 
   
   The CDCP will be available to Canadians with an annual family income of less than $90,000 who do not have dental benefits. Co-pays will be waived for eligible Canadians with a family income of less than $70,000. 
   
   Canadians who have access to private dental coverage are not eligible for the CDCP. This means that your clients must now report on T4s/T4As if dental coverage** was available on December 31 of the reporting tax year for:
   • Employees,
   • Employees’ spouses and/or dependents,
   • Former employees, and
   • Spouses of deceased employees.
   **Potential dental coverage includes Health Care Spending Accounts.
   
   This new tax reporting requirement is mandatory starting with the 2023 tax year. Employee tax slips will include new boxes for employers to complete:
   • Box 45 (T4): Employer Offered Dental Benefits. This new box will be mandatory.
   • Box 015 (T4A): Payer Offered Dental Benefits. This new box will be mandatory if plan sponsors report in Box 016, Pension or Superannuation. The box will otherwise be optional.
   Your clients should complete the boxes using the code system below. They should choose the appropriate code based on whether Dental coverage was available to the plan member – not whether the plan member has chosen to participate in the coverage.  For example, if a plan member has waived coverage or has chosen not to participate in the plan, they would still have access to coverage.
   • Code 1: The plan member has no access to dental care insurance or coverage of dental services of any kind.
   • Code 2: Only the plan member has access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind.
   • Code 3: The plan member, their spouse and their dependents have access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind. 
   • Code 4: Only the plan member and their spouse have access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind. 
   • Code 5: Only the plan member and their dependents have access to any dental care insurance, or coverage of dental services of any kind. 
   Your clients can find further information about completing tax slips for employees on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website:
   • T4
   • T4A

   Reports for dependents

   We have a report available for plan members who have enrolled their dependents in benefits coverage. Your clients can contact their local service team representative to receive a copy of the report. We are working to make it available on our Advisor and PA websites.
    

   Questions

   For guidance on your tax slips and reporting obligations, please encourage your clients to contact their accountant, payroll provider or tax advisor.
    

   Supporting plan members affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict*

   
   Traumatic events continue to unfold in the Middle East. Enduring ongoing news of conflict and suffering could challenge many Canadians. During this difficult time, Equitable encourages affected clients and plan members to access the mental health support they need. 

   
   Support available to all Equitable plan members

   Large-scale traumatic news events can cause people to experience intense reactions. This puts a lot of strain on their mental health. Having coping mechanisms to deal with the current crisis can be a huge help. Any Equitable Life plan member who needs mental health support can visit Homeweb.ca/equitable to access online resources or contact Homewood at 1.888.707.2115.  
    

   Support available to plan members with the Homewood Health EFAP

   For your clients that have purchased Homewood Health’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), remind them that their plan members also have access to confidential counselling services. The EFAP provides plan members with 24/7 access to confidential counselling through a national network of mental health professionals. Whether it’s face-to-face, by phone, email, chat or video, plan members and their dependent family members will receive appropriate, timely support for the issue they’re dealing with. 
     

   Questions? 

   If you need more information, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex account executive.
   
   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients. 
9. Product at a glance
10. Introducing Empathy – Compassion and care at time of loss