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  1. Insights from a pandemic: COVID-19 and group benefits plans

    We’ve received numerous questions about the impact of COVID-19 and what it will mean for benefits plans in the months ahead. Below is a summary of what we’re seeing so far. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore each of these topics in greater depth.

    Disability

    Initially, as COVID-19 started to spread, we saw STD claims ramp up quickly. Since then, we’ve seen the number of COVID-19-related STD claims slow significantly. As for LTD, we believe both the incidence and duration of those claims will increase in both the short term and medium term due to COVID-19.

    Health and Dental Claims

    We saw an overall spike in the volume and paid amounts for drug claims in March as plan members rushed to stock up on their medications. This was followed by a drop in April after most provinces put 30-day refill limits in place. One exception was claims for asthma drugs which surged in March but had no drop in April. Overall, the April plunge will be short-lived; drug costs have already begun to rise in May.

    While paramedical and dental claims are down, we are seeing an increase in claims for virtual treatments and emergency dental services. We expect that claims will spike once the current pandemic restrictions are lifted. We’ve already started to see claims rise in provinces that are allowing health providers to re-open.

    Despite the shift to more virtual services, we haven’t seen an increase in fraudulent activity. But we continue to be vigilant. Our investigative practices – verifying with the plan member that they received the treatment and have a valid receipt, and that the practitioner has treatment notes – remain the same whether treatment is provided in person or virtually.

    Technology

    During this time of physical distancing, people are looking for ways to interact with their providers virtually. Fortunately, our business model is almost entirely electronic, and we have several convenient digital options available for plan members and plan sponsors. Our focus in recent weeks has been to remind clients and plan members about these tools and make it as easy as possible for them to activate and use them. And we are continually adding functionality that will allow us to serve our customers even better.

    Mental Health/Wellness

    Usage of i-Volve, Homewood’s online cognitive behavioural therapy tool, increased significantly in March before levelling back down in April and May. And while EFAP cases fell in April and early-May, the number of cases has begun to climb in recent weeks, particularly for anxiety. In the coming weeks and months, we expect an eventual increase in marital and family issues, as well as depression. We’ve also seen an increase in mental-health-related prescriptions.

    Plan Design

    It’s too early to predict how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact benefits plan design and how it will change in the coming months. We would love to get your feedback and insights about how benefit plans will evolve and what new features or provisions they should include.

    Please share your thoughts and suggestions with your Group Account Executive or myFlex Marketing Manager. Or, you can email your ideas to GroupCommunications@equitable.ca.

  2. 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. 
     
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  6. Changes to the PMPRB

    Earlier this month, the Government of Canada announced the final amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations. These changes will impact how the Patented Medicine Review Board (PMPRB) sets the ceiling price for patented drugs and evaluates if the price of a drug reflects the value it has for patients. The intent of these updates is to enable the PMPRB to more effectively protect Canadians from excessive patented drug prices.

    These changes do not come into effect until July 1, 2020. Finalizing the guidelines and consultation with stakeholders will occur leading up to this date. It is yet to be determined which drugs will be included in the final guidelines. It is anticipated the guidelines will initially focus on drugs launched shortly prior to and after July 1, 2020.

    Equitable Life supports the modernization of the PMPRB and the ongoing need to evolve drug plan management tools in order to support the health of Canadians and drug plan affordability for public and private payers.

    If you have any questions, please contact your Group Account Executive.

  7. RRIF minimum withdrawal changes in response to COVID-19
    Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and retirees concerned about withdrawing from their portfolios during the market sell-off, the federal government recently announced a 25% reduction in the minimum withdrawal rate for Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) for 2020. This reduction only applies to funds that have not yet been withdrawn.  

    If your client chooses to leave the payment at the current minimum payment for the 2020 calendar year, no further action is required.

    If your client has already received the unreduced payment for the year, your client cannot return the excess amount.

    If your client would like to reduce the minimum, you can contact our Advisor Services Team at 1.866.884.7427, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET or email savingsretirement@equitable.ca to advise us of the change. Taxes will not be withheld on the payment.
     
  8. 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.

  9. November is Financial Literacy Month


    During the month of November, financial services organizations throughout Canada will be participating in Financial Literacy month. Created by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (Agency), the goal of this initiative is to share information that will help Canadians achieve their financial goals. This can include managing debt, saving for the future, and understanding their rights and responsibilities.

    To support this initiative, Equitable Life® will be posting articles on Equitable’s® Blog and sharing relevant information on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Feel free to share our content with your followers.

    If you’re interested in learning more about your own financial literacy, take this Self-Assessment Quiz. When you have completed the quiz, you will see a list of suggested topics that you might want to explore further.

    ® and TM denote trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada
    Posted November 1, 2023
  10. COVID-19 Vaccinations and your Equitable Life of Canada Insurance Coverage

    Equitable Life of Canada would like to reassure our policyholders that getting vaccinated for COVID-19 will not negatively impact your life or health insurance coverage.

    Being vaccinated for COVID-19 would have no impact on any claim made under an insurance policy or group benefits plan with Equitable Life of Canada. Your Equitable Life policies provide life and health insurance based on the conditions outlined in your contract with us. Our contracts do not include limitations related to adverse reactions to vaccines.

    Equitable Life will continue to follow the guidance and recommendations from the Canadian government to protect the health of Canadians, and we fully support government-approved vaccines as one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from serious illness or death from COVID-19.