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1. January 2024 eNews

   In this issue:

   • Equitable scores high marks with group advisors*
   • REMINDER: Equitable's National Biosimilar Program starts in March*
   • 2024 dental fee guide updates*
   • Homewood Health wins HR Reporter Reader's Choice award for EFAP excellence*
   *Indicates content that will be shared with your clients.
    

   Equitable scores high marks with group advisors*

   Equitable ranked first for operational service among major group insurers in a recent study of Canadian group benefits advisors.  
   
   NMG Consulting, a leading global consulting firm, conducted in-depth interviews with 146 Canadian group benefits brokers, consultants, MGAs and third-party administrators between May and August 2023 for its annual Canadian Group Benefits Study. Based on these interviews, NMG ranked group insurers in six categories, ranging from operational management to technology.
   
   Nationally, Equitable ranked among the top three in five of the six main categories, including number one for Operational Management:
    
    

   Category	Ranking
   Operational management	1st
   Initiatives (including seminars & training)	2nd
   Technology	3rd
   Underwriting & claims management	3rd
   Relationship management	3rd

   
   “Advisors regard us highly in many categories. That’s a testament to our mutual status and ability to focus exclusively on our clients and advisor partnerships,” said Marc Avaria, Executive Vice President, Group Insurance Division. “We are truly working together to build strong, enduring and aligned partnerships with our clients and advisors.”
    
   “We’re delighted with these results and are committed to continuously advancing our delivery of a better benefits experience for our clients and advisors,” added Avaria. 

   More highlights from the latest NMG survey

   Nationally, we ranked first in seven subcategories in Operational Management, including:
   • Overall service to intermediaries,
   • Overall service to plan sponsors,
   • New quote process,
   • Plan implementation,
   • Renewal process,
   • Accuracy and timeliness of reporting and billing, and
   • Administration quality and responsiveness
   In Underwriting and Claims Management, we finished in the top three for flexibility of underwriting (2nd).
   
   And we were rated strongly in Technology, finishing in the top three for:
   • Overall technology for Intermediary (2nd)
   • Member experience (3rd)
   • Quality of technology for the plan sponsor (2nd)
   • Quality of mobile application (2nd)
    

   REMINDER: Equitable's National Biosimilar Program starts in March*

   In October 2023 we announced the upcoming launch of our national biosimilar program. Starting March 1, 2024, we are expanding our biosimilar switch initiatives to provide a single, nationwide** program.  

   Why we’re making the switch 

   Over the past few years, most provinces have introduced policies to delist some originator biologic drugs. They require most patients to switch to biosimilar versions of those drugs to be eligible for coverage under their public drug plans. Soon, it is expected that all provincial drug plans will cover only biosimilars. 

   Equitable’s National Biosimilar Program simplifies drug plan coverage by replacing our provincial programs. It also protects clients from additional drug costs while offering access to lower-cost biosimilars deemed equally safe and effective by Health Canada.  

   How will this affect clients' drug plans?

   Because we have already introduced biosimilar switch initiatives in most provinces, the impact of this change will be minimal. It will primarily affect plan members in provinces or territories where we haven’t already required the switch to biosimilars. It will also affect plan members who are taking biosimilars that were not originally included in the switch initiative for their province.     

   Regardless of where they live, plan members across Canada will no longer be eligible for most originator biologic drugs if they have a condition for which Health Canada has approved a lower-cost biosimilar version of the drug. Plan members already taking the originator biologic will be required to switch to a biosimilar version of the drug to maintain coverage under their Equitable plan. We will support their transition with education, personalized communication, and resources.  

   Advance notice for plan members

   We contacted affected claimants in early December to give them enough time to change their prescriptions 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 Account Executive.     
    ** Excludes plan members in Quebec who participate in a separate provincial program. 
    

   2024 dental fee guide updates*

   Each year, Provincial and Territorial Dental Associations publish fee guides. Equitable uses these guides to help determine the reimbursement limits for dental procedures.
   
   For your reference, you may wish to refer to the 2024 list of the average dental fee increases for general practitioners.
    

   Homewood Health wins HR Reporter Reader's Choice award for EFAP excellence*

   Equitable is proud to congratulate our Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) partner, Homewood Health®, for winning the Canadian HR Reporter 2023 Reader’s Choice Award in Employee Assistance Plan services. Homewood’s EFAP provides confidential support for a range of health, family, money, and work issues through face-to-face, phone, email, chat, or video counselling. The award recognizes their high standards in counselling and mental health support services. 

   The annual Reader’s Choice Awards identify organizations that provide outstanding expertise and services for HR professionals and employers across Canada. Those organizations provide valuable information on useful, innovative HR and employee benefits products and programs, in categories such as recruitment, mental health services, employee engagement programs, and more. 

   Sharing Homewood Health with your clients 

   Since 2019, we have worked with Homewood to provide mental health services for Equitable benefits plan members. 

   Your clients can access Homewood Health’s award-winning EFAP for an additional fee by adding it to their benefits plan. Services are available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

   All Equitable clients also have free access to Homewood Health Online in their benefits plan. Homewood Online provides a variety of helpful wellness resources, including: 

   • Homeweb, an online and mobile health and wellness portal, 
   • Health Risk Assessment, a group of assessment tools to help plan members identify and overcome health and wellness barriers, and  
   • Online Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) through Sentio to manage symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.  

   Questions

   To learn more about Homewood Health’s services, contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Account Executive. 

2. Here is what our advisors are saying about Equitable’s EZtransact

   You asked US to make EZtransact™ even easier, so we did. We asked YOU to tell us what you think, and you are! Here is what our advisors are saying about Equitable’s EZtransact:
   
   “EZtransact puts Equitable above all our product partners! This was so easy! Thank you!” - Michelle Rolston
   
   
   “You've done an amazing job with the forms that are so easy to deal with now! Thank you”. - Jane Hanson
   
   “You've got this thing running brilliant” - Gerald Kottke
   
   “Love the ease of this!” - Bradley Radke

   In case you missed the most recent updates to EZtransact, advisors can now help clients make segregated fund withdrawals for all account types, and transfer from one fund to another digitally using our self-serve tool. Comments from our advisors since these enhancements were made have been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you!
   
   Get to know EZtransact and fast-forward your sales process. If you have any questions, please contact your Director, Investment Sales, or Advisor Services Team Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET at 1-866-884-7427, or email savingsretirement@equitable.ca.
   
   Date posted: August 22, 2024 

3. New internal transfer enhancement available on Equitable’s EZcomplete

   Advisors will now notice a new internal transfer enhancement in EZcomplete®, Equitable’s online application platform — and it’s designed to make life a whole lot easier. With this update, moving a client’s funds from an existing Equitable® segregated fund contract into a new Equitable Guaranteed Investment Funds™ contract is now faster, smoother and far more intuitive. 

   Here’s what you can expect: 

   • A clear, consolidated view of clients’ current contracts. 

   • Key details — like product type, current market value, sales charge and Guaranteed Interest Account terms — displayed right up front. 

   • Options to complete full or partial transfers. 

   • Helpful alerts that guide you through each step and help prevent mistakes. 

   Everything you need to complete an internal transfer is now in one spot — no more digging through old statements or searching for external documents. It’s a more streamlined, transparent experience for both you and clients. 

   You can access the enhancement directly within EZcomplete (Individual Wealth).  
    

                          
    

   If you have questions, speak with your Director, Investment Sales or Advisor Services Team Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET at 1.866.884.7427, or email individualwealth@equitable.ca. 

   ® or ™ denotes a trademark of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada. 
    

4. New Individual Wealth tools to support client conversations

   
   Equitable has new resources now available on EquiNet^® — each designed to help support client conversations and make it easier to explain investment strategies in a clear and meaningful way. 

    

   New case studies to help support client conversations  *NEW*
   We know some financial concepts can be tricky to explain. To help, we have created a set of straightforward, advisor‑focused case studies designed to deepen your understanding and help you better grasp the mechanics of our product options, understand the “why,” and translate that knowledge into clear, client-friendly conversations.
   
   
   The four new case studies cover:

   • Asset rebalancing

   • Householding

   • Resets

   • Segregated funds vs. mutual funds

   
   
   Introducing our fund manager spotlight pages 

   You can now find spotlight pages for every fund manager on the Equitable Guaranteed Investment Funds™ platform. Each page will help you get to know each manager’s vision, investment philosophy and mission. 
   
   Quickly access: 

   • An overview of each fund manager  

   • Mission and investment approach 

   • Available funds on Equitable GIF 

   • Additional value-added content — including videos, helpful links and more. 

    

   New sample portfolios to help guide client discussions

   A new set of sample portfolios designed to help illustrate how different investment styles might align with a client’s goals are now available. These are not recommendations — they are conversation starters. Use them to help clients visualize: 

    

   • How their strategy could look in practice. 

   • Trade-offs between different investment styles. 

   • How various approaches could support long‑term planning. 

   
   Have questions or want support navigating any of these new resources? Contact your Director, Investment Sales today. 

5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. 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.}
7. [pdf] Intergenerational Wealth Transfer Strategy Case Study - Transferring wealth to an adult child
8. Meghan Vallis named head of distribution for myFlex Benefits and other group benefits updates

   Meghan Vallis named head of distribution for myFlex Benefits

   We are pleased to announce that Meghan Vallis, our Group Sales Vice President for Western Canada, will head national distribution for myFlex Benefits in addition to her existing responsibilities.
   
   As part of her expanded role, Meghan will lead the myFlex Benefits sales team and develop and implement strategies to achieve the growth of this offering. Meghan and the myFlex team will continue to focus on delivering market leading services for our clients and advisors.
   
   Meghan joined Equitable Life in 2020 and brings more than 15 years of experience in the group benefits industry to her expanded role. She is passionate about helping Advisors succeed to transform their clients' employee benefit experience.
   
   myFlex Benefits is one of the most unique and versatile benefits solutions for small businesses in Canada. It is fully pooled, includes a two-year renewal and features a user-friendly portal for plan members to make their benefit selections. And it’s simple to use: Plan sponsors set a budget and choose from a selection of benefit options. Plan members then use flex dollars to select from the options offered by their employer. Any leftover flex dollars are saved in a health care spending account (HCSA).  
    
   If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about myFlex Benefits, please contact your Group Account Executive or myFlex Sales Manager. 

   Changes to Short Term Disability (STD) benefit calculations for 2023*

   The Canada Employment Insurance Commission and Canada Revenue Agency have announced the 2023 changes to Maximum Insurable Earnings and premiums for employment insurance.
    
   The following changes to Employment Insurance (EI) will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2023:
   
   

   How does this affect your clients?

   Your clients’ STD benefit will be revised with the updated maximums based on the percentage of EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings shown in their policy if:
   • Their Equitable Life Group Policy includes an STD benefit that is tied to the EI Maximum Weekly Insurable Earnings, and
   • At least one classification of employees has a maximum of less than $650.
   The additional premium for any increase from their previous STD amounts and new STD amounts will appear on their January 2023 Group Insurance Billing (as applicable).
    
   If their STD maximum is currently higher than $650 or based on a flat amount instead of a percentage or regular earnings, no change will be made to their plan unless otherwise directed.
    
   If your clients wish to provide direction regarding revising their STD maximum, or if they have questions about the process, they can email Kari Gough, Manager, Group Issue and Special Projects.

   Coming soon: Survey for Plan Administrators with recent disability claims*

   We’ve enhanced our communication processes to help your clients with disability plans manage their workplace absences more effectively. In early December, we will distribute a short survey to plan administrators who may have submitted an approved 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 December 16, 2022. All responses will be confidential. We plan to use the feedback to help ensure that we’re meeting your clients’ expectations and delivering industry-leading service.
   
   We may also follow up with survey respondents directly, to address any concerns they’ve identified.
   
   * Indicates content that will be shared with your clients.
9. Benefits and Key features
10. February 2020 Advisor eNews

    In this issue:

    Provincial biosimilar update
    Legislative changes for Alberta’s Coverage for Seniors program
    Coming soon: enhancements to Equitable EZClaim® Online
     

    Provincial biosimilar update

    

    Alberta Biosimilar Initiative

    On December 12, 2019, the Alberta government introduced the launch of the Alberta Biosimilar Initiative. This program will require patients using several originator biologic drugs to switch to a biosimilar, and patients using a non-biologic complex drug (NBCD) to switch to its subsequent entry version before July 1, 2020 in order to maintain coverage.

    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” drug. Biosimilars 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.

    Alberta Health will initially cover both the originator and biosimilar or subsequent entry version of a NBCD  drug as patients start the switching process.

    The following table outlines the affected originator drugs, their biosimilars or subsequent entry, and the conditions affected by the program.

    Biosimilar Drug	Originator	Biosimilar/Subsequent Entry	Indications Affected
    etanercept	Enbrel	Brenzys	Ankylosing Spondylitis Rheumatoid Arthritis
    		Erelzi	Ankylosing Spondylitis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis
    infliximab	Remicade	Inflectra Renflexis	Ankylosing Spondylitis Plaque Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Crohn’s Disease Ulcerative Colitis
    insulin glargine	Lantus	Basaglar	Diabetes (Type 1 and 2)
    Filgrastim	Neupogen	Grastofil	Neutropenia
    pegfilgrastim	Neulasta	Lapelga	Neutropenia
    glatiramer*	Copaxone	Glatect	Multiple Sclerosis

    *Glatiramer is a non-biologic complex drug where the originator is Copaxone and the subsequent entry is Glatect.

    Equitable Life is actively investigating the benefit, risk and appropriate plan changes associated with this new policy on private drug plans and will keep you informed.

    For more information about the Alberta Biosimilars Initiative, consult the Alberta government website.

    British Columbia

    In 2019, BC Pharmacare introduced a Biosimilars Policy that impacted coverage of three biologic drugs – Remicade, Enbrel and Lantus. As of November 25, 2019, these drugs were no longer eligible in BC for most conditions for which lower cost biosimilar versions are available. Patients in the province with these conditions were required to switch to biosimilar versions of these drugs in order to maintain their coverage.

    The second phase of the BC Biosimilar Policy takes effect March 6, 2020 when Remicade will be delisted for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Patients in the province with these conditions will be required to switch to Inflectra or Renflexis in order to maintain their coverage.

    Biosimilar Drug	Originator	Biosimilar	Indications Affected
    infliximab	Remicade	Inflectra Renflexis	Crohn’s Disease Ulcerative Colitis

    We have communicated with the affected plan members, informing them of the need to switch medications. If plan members have any questions or concerns, our Customer Care team is here to help and support them through the transition.

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

    Ontario

    In November 2019 Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliot indicated that the government was planning to launch consultations to explore solutions in managing biologics.

    Equitable Life will continue to monitor these developments and keep you informed of any impact on private drug plans.

     

    Legislative changes for Alberta’s Coverage for Seniors program

    

    The government of Alberta has announced that as of March 1, 2020, seniors’ family members (such as spouses and dependents) who are younger than 65 will no longer be covered by the provincial Coverage for Seniors program. Albertans 65 years of age and older will continue to be covered under the provincial plan.

    Equitable Life plan members and their dependents will continue to be covered under the parameters of their group benefits plan.

    For more information, please see the Alberta Seniors Health Benefits website.

     

    Coming soon: enhancements to Equitable EZClaim^® Online

    

    Faster vision claims processing and payment

    Equitable Life will soon provide real-time processing of vision claims submitted via EZClaim Online.

    This means plan members will be able to find out the status of their vision claim almost instantaneously. And, for approved claims, they will receive payment even sooner – often in as little as 24 hours.

    In order to allow for instantaneous processing and faster payment, plan members will be prompted to enter some additional information including the practitioner’s name, the date of the expense, the type of expense and amount of the expense when submitting their claims for these services.

    Equitable Life plan members can submit all vision claims via EZClaim, including coordination of benefits and Health Care Spending Account claims.

    This enhancement will be coming to our EZClaim Mobile app in the coming months.

    New printable claims extract

    As part of our ongoing efforts to improve customer experience for plan members, we will also offer a claims extract in a printable format within the plan member site. Plan members will be able to select a date range and claimant, then generate and download a detailed list of health and dental claims. This is a helpful way to keep track of claims, especially when reviewing them in preparation for income tax filing.

    Once these enhancements are live you will be notified in an eNews, and an announcement will be posted on the plan member section of EquitableHealth.ca.

     

    Elimination of Out-of-Country Travellers Program in Ontario

    

    Effective January 1, 2020, the Ontario government eliminated OHIP coverage for emergency services for Ontarians travelling outside of Canada.

    Previously, the Out-of-Country Travelers Program provided some reimbursement for services required to treat conditions that are acute, unexpected, arose outside Canada and require immediate treatment. The program covered between $200 and $400 per day for inpatient services and $50 per day for outpatient and doctor services.

    For groups who have out-of-country coverage from Allianz, this change will not impact the cost to your plan members, or the process plan members follow in the event of an emergency while travelling.

    Plan members should still call Allianz in the event of an out of country emergency. Allianz will deal with their claim as usual and will now pay for the portion of the claim previously paid by OHIP. Plan members will not have any additional out-of-pocket costs.

    We will be sharing this information with plan members as a news item on our plan member website, equitablehealth.ca.