EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2016, Express Scripts Canada’s analysis of private-plan spending trends once again reflected opposing cost forces. Factors driving an increase in drug spend have outweighed downward pressure on drug costs. At the same time, high-cost drugs and high-cost patients continued to create troubling trend acceleration. These new medicines offer high cure rates for [...]
Earlier this year, the federal government unveiled a number of changes to Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program in its initial budget, including a shorter waiting period for EI benefits. The proposal was adopted in June 2016 and will go into effect on January 1, 2017. Benefits are currently paid for 17 weeks, including a two-week [...]
The national average retirement age is pegged at 62, but recent trends in labour force estimates reflect a growing shift to delayed retirement. This tide is not enough to dramatically lift the average, but clearly this trend is visible in certain white and grey sectors of the workforce. At the same time, employment rates for [...]
Benefits and Pension Monitor publishes article by Chris Pryce on the emerging necessity of employee disability coverage beyond age 65 brought on by older workers remaining in the workforce. http://www.mirabelsmagazinecentral.com/DigitalEdition/index.html?id=efe3c1ad-b508-4694-908a-963e4b842e5a&pn=31&pv=d
From time to time, Insurers can do a particularly good job of communicating a particular strategy or educating plan sponsors on a particular topic. This month (April 2016) Green Shield Canada came out with a very good document outlining their position and possibly that of their competitors with respect to the treatment of "generic" or [...]
