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The Do’s and Dont’s of Cutting Group Benefits – for Leaders
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TORONTO, ON, June 7, 2017 – The Beneplan Compassionate Drug Assistance Program, created and operated by Beneplan Inc., helps patients navigate various sources of financial assistance to significantly reduce medical costs.
In advance of the Annual General Meeting on April 6th, 2017, please take a moment to review the board nominees this year: Lisa Lamb, HR Director, Clubhouse Manager, The Oakville Club Working in the Private Club Industry for 16 years from the bottom up, I feel I could represent this industry well. In addition I […]
Join us for a webinar hosted by CAMESE, the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Service providers…
Join us for our Annual HR, Benefits & Employment Law Workshop. We have two dates and locations this year to accommodate our members.
Effective October 1, 2016, the Ontario Government has increased the hourly general minimum wage from $11.25 to $11.40. Minimum wage has gone up as of Oct. 1, 2016. See the new rates. https://t.co/U7RS68C1Vf #workfairON pic.twitter.com/FM0SlvVJ47 — Ontario At Work (@OntMinLabour) October 3, 2016 How will this affect your Ontario or Toronto group benefit plan? […]
You may or may not have heard of a ‘chatbot‘, but it will most definitely be a topic of discussion at future group benefits conferences in Canada in 2017. A chatbot is a rising trend, at the intersection of the hottest topics right now in tech: artificial intelligence, messenger apps, the mobile wave, and of […]
In the event of a Canada Post lockout, here’s what you need to do to ensure your group benefit plan continues to run smoothly: Remitting Premiums If you currently mail a cheque to Beneplan, please consider instead one of the following options: Sign up for Pre-Authorized Chequing. Send in a Direct Deposit payment. Courier your cheque […]
In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada made a historic decision concerning End of Life laws. This stems from a ruling presented on February 6, 2015, court struck down a ban on medical-assisted dying for terminally ill patients who are suffering physically or psychologically. This decision came as a response to the Carter v. Canada […]
Canadian employers see the advantages of having an employee benefit program. However, increasing drug costs, the demands of keeping an aging workforce on the job, and having the ability to recruit the best new employees and retain valued employees is creating a new challenge – maximizing benefits without increasing costs. Benefits and Pensions Monitor’s Meetings […]
In 2016, there are just a handful of subjects more controversial than Medical Marijuana. When the federal government introduced rules in 2014 requiring patients to buy medical marijuana from licensed producers, it birthed an industry and drew dozens of new entrants. While Bay Street has become the world’s leading source of financing for marijuana, Main […]
We are pleased to announce our summer promotion: Switch your payments from Cheques to pre-authorized chequing (PAC) or direct deposit, and enter to win a 2-night stay in Blue Mountain! Details: Switching to e-payments saves you time. One less item on your to-do list. You will be notified by email of upcoming invoices and payments, […]
We’ve received a number of questions this year on how the patronage dividends are calculated. We’d like to elaborate here on the formula, and we welcome any feedback from you as to how we can improve. At the end of the year, there are companies in a surplus, and companies in a deficit. If we separate […]
Employee benefits can be a frustrating part of a business. Insurance companies frequently play bait & switch games to lure in new business through low rates, but then ultimately have a high target profit that they try to reach over time. The Beneplan Co-operative recognizes this and has created a structure that both minimizes costs, […]
There are a number of life events that can impact a benefit plan. When one of these events happens in your life, you generally have 30 days from that date to make a change to your benefit plan, with no medical requirement. Please see the various documentation required in order to make a change. Adding […]
We recently rolled out a new website making it a better platform for building and running on mobile devices. But did you know both the Co-operators and Green Shield Canada offer members mobile apps for claims submissions and management?
We are pleased to announce the newly appointed board members of The Beneplan Employee Benefits Co-operative, effective May 1st, 2016: D. Lee Brown, Financial Controller, Winmar Shelley Sheppard, Executive Vice President of Finance, Evanov Radio Group Ian Torrance, Vice President, Partner, P.K. Douglass Inc Malcolm Stoffman, President and CEO, Momentum Credit Union Barry Murphy, Country Manager, BDP International To […]
Our 2015 Annual Report 2015 highlights our work towards our goal of helping small and medium sized enterprises maintain the best employee benefits at the lowest possible costs. Selected Highlights: Total co-operative patronage dividend $917,000 Maximum patronage dividend: $53,905.44: Average dividend: $8,016.74 Introduction of Pharmacogenetics to our Benefits Offering Members subscribing to the Reformulary system experienced a 17% […]
Beneplan is pleased to announce its 2015 financial statements. We’re proud to announce that the total surplus to be distributed to our membership for CY2015 is $923,297 in patronage dividends. Please remember to review the new Board of Director nominees in advance of the AGM on April 7th, 2015. Patronage Dividend results by member will be released […]
When the human genetic code was cracked about 12 years ago, it brought with it enormous belief of instant application to human disease. It was soon after that pronouncements were made that there would soon be a cure for cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart diseases, given that we now are aware of the genes causing them. […]
Keeping health insurance costs down without cutting employees health benefits is a very common request from business leaders and HR professionals these days. With the costs of employer-funded health insurance rising at double digit rates year over year, employers are shifting some costs on to employees or exploring caps. While expenses are rising very rapidly […]
Canadian patients and plan members are following a global trend, by demanding access to more personal information from their healthcare providers.
With the 2016 AGM only 1 week away, everyone here at Beneplan is excited to introduce this years nominees to our Board of Directors.
Join us for a webinar hosted by CAMESE, the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Service providers…
On February 9th our General Manager Yafa Sakkejha was invited to a panel of Group Benefits Experts to discuss the potential impact on pension funds and some of the trends, challenges and opportunities for plan sponsors considering alternatives. The 30 minute presentation touches topics on the structure of efficient plans which minimize waste, eliminate fraud, […]
Insurers are hiking pooling costs, and we don’t blame them. Don’t kid yourself: if you were about to write your name underneath a policy, I’d wager that you too would increase premiums. Our block at The Beneplan Employee Benefits Co-operative was hit hard in 2015 by several biologic drug claims. While drug companies are falling over […]
Effective January 1, 2016, Beneplan has entered into an agreement with The Co-operators Life on The Beneplan Co-operative’s long term disability benefits. For the first time, this block will be operating on a refund accounting basis. This means that after reserves, fees, and claims are paid, any surplus money left over will be fully refunded to […]
It is a well-known fact that smaller companies pay higher fees than larger companies when purchasing group benefits for their employees. Hosted by The Beneplan Cooperative, join us to learn about strategies and techniques that larger freight forwarders and shipping lines employ to reduce their group benefits costs. Case studies will be shared of other […]
From the state of the economy to the introduction and rapid growth of Biologic medication products covered by insurance plans, the average employer sponsored health plan is expected to cost you 8% more in 2016. That is according to a report published by Aon Hewitt last month. The report specifically suggests that in Canada, gross […]
Thinking about quitting smoking this winter? As of February 1st 2016, Green Shield Canada is happy to announce that they will be adding Smoking Cessation Programs to all GSC Benefit plans. Broadly considered to be “lifestyle” products, smoking cessation drugs have often been excluded from drug plans. Available to plan members across Canada, and residents in […]
At Beneplan, our favourite time of year is the spring because we have the privilege of distributing dividends to all of our member-owners. First, the dividend amount and audit must be approved by member-owners at the Annual General Meeting. All stake-holders are invited to attend.
Effective January 1st 2016, Beneplan is proud to introduce a new program, designed to help individuals on expensive medications. As the number of Canadians prescribed very expensive medications continues to rise well above the rate of healthcare cost inflation, the insurance industry has done little to shield employers and their employees from these rising costs. At […]
You might have been reading a lot of stories about pharmaceutical companies increasing the price of brand and generic drugs tenfold. None more so perhaps than Martin Shkreli, the “Pharma Bro” and former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, who raised the price of Daraprim, a drug used to treat HIV, by 5000%. But there is more […]
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Forget Freedom 55. Canada’s retirement age is on the way up. On average, Canadians are working 3.5 years longer past the retirement age. Due to a whole host of factors such as lifespans and poor performance in financial markets, Canada’s retirement age is already rising. Changes were made to the Old Age Security pension during […]
Chronic pain patients in Canada are poorly managed. A few factors include lack of education regarding pain assessment and treatment, inadequate funding for researching chronic pain and an under-recognition of the problem. Chronic pain is a big problem and is growing as Canadian’s age. At the time of writing, one in five Canadians experience chronic […]
“I lay bricks for half the year, so that I can collect disability and surf for the other half.” It was 2009, and I was standing in shock on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. A sandy-blonde surfer had casually admitted how he scammed the system in order to fund his lifestyle.
Like thousands of Canadians, you are looking forward to your winter break, dreaming of southern destinations of sandy beaches and blue lagoons. While the prospect of a week or two of fun in the sun is something to get excited about, you could bring home huge medical bills. That said, hold off on hitting the […]
Join us for a webinar hosted by CAMESE, the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Service providers…
On February 9th, Beneplan’s General Manager, Yafa Sakkejha, joins an expert panel of thought leaders, hosted by Benefits & Pensions Monitor Magazine. The event will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Toronto Centre. Address: 225 Front St. W, Toronto, ON M5V 2X3 – View on Map Event Details: Tuesday, February 9th, 2016. Breakfast and Registration: […]
Benefit plan administrators can now access all of their archived changes in the member-login area of the Beneplan website. When you login, you’ll see the “Archives” link on the top right hand corner. Clicking through, you’ll see a list of all changes made, organized in order of date, and around each employee. Clicking the employee’s […]
Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynn has made it clear that she is pushing ahead with the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP), regardless of whether or not enhancements are made to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). New details have been released today which includes the following information: Indexing benefits for inflation; Survivor benefits; Maximums; Part-time employees; Waiting periods; and, How […]
Effective immediately, Beneplan Inc is pleased to announce a new partnership with Green Shield Canada. Green Shield Canada (GSC) is one of Canada’s premiere group health & dental carriers, and is one of Canada’s not-for-profit group insurance carriers. GSC was formed in 1957 by Bill Wilkinson, a pharmacist who was disheartened to learn that many Canadian families couldn’t […]
My name is Yafa, and I have a drug problem. Our block at The Beneplan Employee Benefits Co-operative was hit hard in 2015 by several biologic drug claims. While drug companies are falling over themselves to acquire the rights of biologic drugs, plan sponsors and advisors are scrambling to react to this new normal. Insurers […]
Join us for our Annual HR, Benefits & Employment Law Workshop. We have two dates and locations this…
Many Canadians are sponsoring refugees this holiday season, and all of us at Beneplan thank you as great citizens for opening your hearts. Did you know that refugees may be eligible for free dental care at a public health clinic? City of Toronto Free Dental Clinics If you are a newcomer, or a Torontonian who […]
In case you missed it, here are the slide decks from Beneplan’s annual Benefits Law & Admin Workshop: Beneplan – Benefits Law & Admin Workshop – December 1 2015 – Mississauga, Ontario, Canada from Beneplan Co-operative Beneplan and Davies Howe Partners LLP Employment and Benefits Law – December 1 2015 – Mississauga Ontario Canada […]
Beneplan’s office will be closed on the following days: December 24th December 25th December 31st January 1st If you require immediate assistance with an emergency out of country claim, please call your insurer: The Co-operators Life – 1-888-440-2667 from Canada and the USA // 1-416-340-1316 call collect from all other countries. Standard Life: 1-866-360-6061 if […]
In the wake of Justin Trudeau’s election win, we have to ask ourselves: what will that mean for Canadian employee benefit plans? Here are some questions, based on promises made on the campaign trail: Will the Canada Pension Plan will be enhanced as promised, leaving Kathleen Wynne deciding to withdraw the proposed Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP)? Will […]
Many plan sponsors use Cost-Plus as an effective tool for benefit plans. It is important to ensure a Cost-Plus policy is on-file. This policy would outline who in the company is eligible for Cost-Plus on a class basis, to avoid discrimination, and also ensure that these expenses are reasonable. Below is a plain-text version of a […]
On September 10th, 2015, Health Canada approved Repatha, which is a prescription drug indicated for patients who have a genetic disorder which prevents them from properly metabolizing cholesterol. These patients would be best served by switching from statins to Repatha. Statins are cholesterol-lowering medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, atorvastatin, and many others. Repatha is a […]
As a member of the Beneplan Co-operative, your employees are invited to use a new benefit offered by Personalized Prescribing Inc., at no cost, for a limited six (6) month period, effective October 1st, 2015. Please let us know if you are interested in opting in. The Personalized Prescription Plan (P3) is a new employee benefit […]
If you’re asked to sign an Agent of Record letter, it’s important that you understand what it means. Also known as an AOR, Letter of Authority (LOA), or Letter of Authorization, this letter is used by a benefits broker for a few ends: Secure the client relationship; Block any competing benefits brokers from being engaged […]
Transgender rights have been very top-of-mind for many individuals in 2015, and Beneplan has received an increased number of requests for genders and names to be changed. We’re glad to see more individuals able to live as their true selves. If you or a dependent are going through a transition, here’s what you should know about […]
Kathleen Wynn announced more details of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) today, piggybacking on the government’s Wednesday announcement. Some employers will be able to opt-out of the ORPP if their pension plans meet certain requirements. There will be a phased-in approach for other employers who are not eligible to be exempt.
You’ve probably heard of biologic drugs by now, which are highly expensive breakthrough drugs used to treat, and sometimes cure, illnesses. They are often described as ‘miracle drugs’, and can cost in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. These biologic drugs are frequently covered by insurance companies on employee benefit plans, on a list of […]
Authored by Alyssa Richard, RateHub.ca Being a small business owner with a team of staff, you probably have more human resources-related tasks than you imagined when you first launched. The onboarding and training process can take a lot of time (and paperwork), and payroll is a beast all on its own. As you continue to […]
Annual General Meeting of The Beneplan Employee Benefits Co-operative Ltd. Held at 6090 Dixie Rd Mississauga Ontario, Four Points Sheraton Hotel Held on April 15, 2015 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Join us for a webinar hosted by CAMESE, the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Service providers…
We are pleased to announce the newly appointed board members of The Beneplan Employee Benefits Co-operative, effective June 1st, 2015:
Thank you to our 2015 Community Marketplace Partners! Please take a moment to visit their websites and learn about their services.
Beneplan is pleased to announce the 2014 refund results, also known as ‘patronage dividends’. Please see below for the relevant documentation: 1. Beneplan Co-operative 2014 Annual Report 2. Beneplan Co-operative 2014 Refund (Patronage Dividend) Results by Member 3. Beneplan Co-operative 2014 Audited Aggregate Financial Statements Please remember to review the new Board of Director nominees in advance of […]
Members of the Beneplan Co-operative will have an opportunity to vote for new board members at the Beneplan Annual General Meeting on April 15th, 2015, in Mississauga, Ontario. FSCO prevents co-operatives from allowing proxy voting for this purpose, so this serves as a general notice of the candidates. There are 4 vacant board positions and […]
We’re proud to announce that the total surplus to be distributed to our membership for CY2014 is $1,043,764 to 238 member-employers who were part of the Beneplan Co-operative as at December 31st, 2014. Members can view the financial statements here: Beneplan Co-operative 2014 Financial Statements (PDF, 1MB).
This year, Beneplan is proud to host the a Community Marketplace before the Annual General Meeting on April 15, 2015. Four Points Sheraton 6090 Dixie Rd Mississauga ON L5T 1A6 1:00pm to 3:00pm Download the Invitation to the Beneplan Community Marketplace What is the Community Marketplace? The Community Marketplace is a small trade-show, exhibiting businesses who […]
At Beneplan, our favourite time of year is the spring because we have the privilege of distributing dividends to all of our member-owners. First, the dividend amount and audit must be approved by member-owners at the Annual General Meeting. All stake-holders are invited to attend. Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 Location: Four Points Sheraton 6090 Dixie […]
You don’t have time to administer the plan – that’s why your HR manager takes care of the benefits. Still, there are some things you need to know as the business owner. During the Hiring Process Do not offer the benefit plan to independent contractors. This will negate their status as a contractor, thus converting […]
As we open a new year, it’s a great time to refresh your records with updated information. Here is a checklist you may find useful as a plan administrator: Request a Taxable Benefits report from Beneplan, so that you can add taxable benefit amounts onto T4s. Report any salary changes to Beneplan if you have any disability […]
Employment Law and Disability Insurance (Davies Howe Partners LLP) from Beneplan Co-operative
2014 Beneplan Plan Administrator's Workshop from Beneplan Co-operative
(Source: Canada Revenue Agency) The maximum insurable earnings (MIE) is the income level up to which Employment Insurance (EI) premiums are paid. It determines the maximum rate of weekly benefits paid for all types of benefits under the EI program.
Your Ontario Health Insurance Plan Provides: Prescription Drugs: Coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Program for seniors and Social Assistance recipients only. Covers drugs listed on the Ontario drug formulary. Seniors must pay the first $100 in prescription costs. Once this has been Satisfied, seniors must pay the first $6.11 for each prescription.
Many individuals are left without any group benefits coverage once they leave their jobs or retire. Our Provincial plan does cover some health care expenses, but many day-to-day and emergency expenses are not covered. As a result, these individuals are left to pay out of their own pockets. The solution is a ‘conversion’ benefit plan, […]
We at Beneplan recognize that our employees are the face of our organization, and so we encourage and support volunteer efforts of our staff. This year we wanted to give back to our own community by volunteering at the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank.
This article is also published in the HR Professional Magazine, HRPA Today. A colleague once remarked to me that seven people in his department, out of a company of 400 people, had claimed short-term disability (STD) for stress leave in the last two years. I asked how this could be – is there something going […]
It very important that you educate your employees regarding opting out of your company plan, particularly for those who are in good health. Your Group Benefit policy provides affordable coverage for all employees without evidence of insurability:
Beneplan is proud to be introducing an exciting new plan option called the Reformulary drug plan.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Media Relations 416-863-6718 x252 TORONTO, Ontario – The Beneplan Co-operative has just issued $1.3 million in patronage dividends to its policy holders, who are small & medium businesses with group benefit plans.
This article is also published in HR Professional magazine and HRPA Today. What should you do when an employee needs time off to deal with a mental health issue? Let’s say that you have an important employee come in to your office and state that they need to go on sick leave. Based on office […]
Join us for our Annual HR, Benefits & Employment Law Workshop. We have two dates and locations this…
The lucky residents of beautiful British Columbia are entitled to join the BC PharmaCare program, under the Ministry of Health. How does it synchronize with your group benefits plan? First, understand how PharmaCare works:
In 2013, our Director of Wellness, Evelyne Mitskopoulos C.N.P., affected change to a number of individuals. Out of our group of 200 small businesses, here are her results: 80 people helped in-person 200 people helped through lunch & learn seminars 40 people helped through email and telephone consultations = 320 people who benefited from Beneplan’s […]
Author: Qin Lin, Analyst It’s always good to compare your company’s rates and cost breakdowns to the average, to see if you’re trending higher or lower than where you might want to be. This way, you’ll be able to evaluate various aspects of your group benefits and develop plans on how to make improvements, such […]
Please RSVP to yafa at beneplan dot ca. At Beneplan, springtime is our Christmas – when we get to hand out over a million dollars worth of dividends to our members. The first step is our Annual General Meeting. Here is what takes place: 70 out of 200 member companies will be in attendance Beneplan […]
Time to Prepare: 15 min. Total Time: 1 hr. Makes: 1 loaf Ingredients: 2 ¼ cups spelt flour 1 cup finely ground almonds ½ tsp. sea salt 1 ½ tsp. baking powder 1 ¾ cups almond milk ¼ cup coconut oil, melted 1 tbs. honey (raw) Instructions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. line 8 […]
Beneplan Inc is looking to hire a team member in Member Relations. Member Relations Representative Toronto area Start date: Immediately
The popularity of energy drinks have given rise to a market of energy chocolate and gum products, that contain caffeine. In Canada, caffeinated gum and chocolate were recently given temporary approval from Health Canada, despite government monitoring and medical warnings about over-consumption of caffeine.
I have seen many claims got rejected because of one simple reason – the COB (co-ordination of benefits) information was wrong. Although it can be easily corrected, the patient will have to wait for the system to get updated, resubmit the rejected claims manually, and wait again for the claim to get processed before finally […]
We’re always amazed at how some businesses are able to obtain lower premiums than businesses who have the exact same claims history and population. Why? Many insurance companies will set rates based on what the client is willing to pay.
Please hold a space in your calendar for Beneplan’s annual Plan Administrator’s Workshop. There is no cost to attend for Beneplan members or brokers. Thursday, November 28th, 2013 9:45am to 2:00pm The Westin Bristol Place Hotel by Pearson Airport 950 Dixon Road, Toronto ON M9W 5N4 Door prizes: Sports tickets, local food baskets, and more […]
That depends. Have you ever wondered why just about every practitioner who dispenses orthotics will recommend it to you, even when you haven’t requested it?
If you own a business that has a group long term disability (LTD) plan, and you are enrolled, you should consider opting out and buying an individual LTD policy instead. Only business owners are allowed to opt out of group LTD – regular employees cannot. Why would a business owner opt out of LTD? Almost […]
If your company has Long Term Disability (LTD) as part of your benefit plan, failing to create written policies about employee-on-leave employment and benefits could result in headaches and even lawsuits. Read about how to handle this in the October 2013 issue of the HRPA’s HR Professional Magazine, authored by Yafa Sakkejha, GM at Beneplan.
Wellness Does your day start like this? Unpredictable drivers, stalls, accidents and gridlocks that we may encounter on a typical daily commute can take a toll on our nervous system. Here are 5 supplements to help you reduce your stress levels:
This bulletin is an excerpt from the group benefits newsletter of The Co-operators Life Insurance Company. If a plan member has a work-related injury, it is important for them to submit a completed disability claim application form and any other supporting documents to Beneplan, who will submit to the insurance company, within the time periods […]
Hippocrates said it best “Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food”. Suggestions for a Health-Promoting Diet are: reduce your fat intake but eat healthy fats such as olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids found in wild salmon. eat a predominantly plant-based diet, especially raw leafy green vegetables and raw […]
David Crisp was the SVP HR at the Hudson’s Bay Company and reported to the CEO until he chose early retirement in 2002. He now does HR consulting and runs the Balance and Results blog. Here, he shares his insights towards being a better plan administrator. Try to keep the plan design up with the […]
There are many ways that plan sponsors can reduce their premiums without drastically cutting back on group benefits. Here are the most efficient ways to do so. If you have any questions, please call us at 1-800-387-1670 x252.
A Co-operative allows for members to be shareholders in the structure. It also allows patronage dividends to be distributed to each member, which works in accordance with the premium refunds which Beneplan issues. A Co-operative provides for better governance: a small board of directors can be elected, who can advise on behalf of all […]
It may be time to tune up your adrenals. Are daily tasks, work demands and family responsibilities taking it’s toll on you?
The Beneplan Co-operative, a member-owned buying group of 200 employers, distributed $1.4 million in dividends (also known as premium refunds) to its members in May 2013. The dividends came as a result of surpluses of health, dental, and life insurance premiums which were not used towards claims in 2012. In other words, a refund of […]
The Co-operators have introduced e-Claims submission effective May 15th 2013. E-claims is different from emailed claims in that a a claim can be sent from an internet browser.It simply requires the member to login, enter the type of claim, and amount. The Co-operators would adjudicate the claim and deposit the amount to the employee’s bank. […]
The Beneplan Co-operative from Beneplan on Vimeo.
Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. Your blood is 95% water. Muscle is about 70% water. According to the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a human fetus at 3 months is 90% water and a 45 year old man would be about 65% water and a 70 year old man is only 43% water, so […]
Before Hiring Ensure your employment contracts have reference to your benefit plan and how it works: that the plan will reimburse the employee (and his or her dependents) of his or her eligible medical expenses. According to the CRA’s bulletin IT-339R2 on private health services plans, this is required (see point 7). Advise your employees in […]
Most drug manufacturers have a financial assistance program to help subsidize the cost of their drugs for patients who either have a low income, insurance coverage limits, or both. It’s important for you as a plan sponsor to be aware of these so that you can make sure your plan design is appropriately structured to […]
Join us for our Annual HR, Benefits & Employment Law Workshop. We have two dates and locations this…
THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION Recently CBC News reported that eating a poor quality diet is the leading risk factor for diseases and injuries that cause Canadians to die prematurely and become disabled. This was based on International researchers analyzing the country’s rates of sickness and death from 1990 to 2010 and compared it with […]
Successful Weight Loss Tips Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. The U.S. national Weight Control Registry is a database of men and women who have lost 60 pounds or more and maintained this weight loss for 5 or more years and here are their tips: They are all […]
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Please save this date in your calendar for the 2013 Beneplan Co-operative (Multi-Employer Health & Life Benefits Trust) Annual General Meeting. The Westin Bristol Place Hotel 950 Dixon Road Toronto ON M9W 5N4 View Larger Map Meeting commences at 3:30pm Cocktail reception at 5:30pm Dinner is served at 6:00pm This is […]
Rates on stop-loss insurance are increasing as of 2013 renewals. Stop-loss is the portion of your premium which accounts for the pooling portion of your extended health care coverage. In English, that means the reinsurance you pay so that if one of your employees has a claim that goes above $10,000, the insurance company absorbs […]
Most insurance companies pay claims based on the reasonable & customary (“R&C”) amount of that service. This means that fair market pricing is employed. This means that your plan members will be reimbursed only the R&C amount of the claim they submit. For example, if a plan member decides to go to Elmwood Spa in downtown […]
Wellness Tip: Top foods which should be in your shopping cart Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. The following list of foods should be incorporated into your meals for its many health benefits: Beverages: Green tea, organic wines, water Condiments: Extra-virgin olive oil (first cold-pressed), turmeric spice, sea […]
Wellness Tip: How to Sleep Better Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. Affects every aspect of your life and is so vital to good health. There are 75 sleep disorders affecting mankind and a 30-billion sleep medication market which studies show only gets you about 11 minutes more […]
As Canadians, we are lucky that our hospitals are not-for-profit entities. However, it is not uncommon for hospitals abroad to be privately owned businesses. These hospitals may try to take advantage of travelers, so it is important to be aware of your coverage in order to avoid being overcharged. In order to ensure that you […]
Inflammation: The Root Cause of Disease Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. Inflammation is the number one reason that people consult their doctor such as arthritis, gastritis, colitis, dermatitis, neuritis and cystitis. There are many diseases or health issues that are closely linked to inflammation. For example, heart […]
The price which employees pay out of pocket at pharmacies is steadily increasing. Even with a 100% coverage healthcare plan, employees still pay a dispensing fee of up to thirteen dollars, and often there is an additional fee that is not covered by the plan. Where does the additional fee come from? Pharmacies, like all […]
Infographic credit: Visually & the American Dental Association by greatist.Browse more infographics.
This article is written as a summary of a lecture presented at the 2012 Canadian Health Care Anti-Fraud Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Title From Inspection (ODB) to Investigation (OPP) Speakers Cathy O’Connor: Detective Sergeant, Ontario Provincial Police Edward Wong: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, ODB Division Brigitte Brousseau: Detective Constable, Ontario Provincial […]
Are Energy Drinks Safe for Consumption? Most health professionals say no. According to The Toronto Star in an article dated October 23, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack following consumption of the highly caffeinated Monster Energy Drink. The agency acknowledged the adverse reports Monday, but […]
Exercise: The Magic Bullet Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. The closest thing to a “magic bullet” for maintaining youth and optimal health is a well-balanced combination of exercise and proper nutrition. The entire body benefits from this formula, both physically and psychologically. Regular exercise improves digestion and […]
It’s the season for flu shots, which means the government is encouraging all citizens to be vaccinated. Read this first to understand the potential risks of getting the flu shot. Studies Show the Flu Shot Increases Risk of H1N1 Last year, the Canadian press broke the story that new research confirms initial findings that the […]
Prescription pain medication, classified as “narcotic analgesics,” are covered under drug formularies. Some plan sponsors will be surprised to learn that narcotic medications can be a significant part of their drug spend. When Beneplan looks at drug usage reports for our benefits co-operative, we sometimes see narcotics at an unusually high amount. This could be […]
We had a chance to see Dr Richard Celko DMD speak at the Canadian Health Care Anti-fraud Association Conference on Sept 21st, 2012 on how he determines if a dental claim is fraudulent. Here are some of the higher-level insights from the seminar. Dr Celko estimates that 15% to 20% of dentists are either fraudulent or […]
Our paramedical claims manager had a very enlightening discussion with a chiropractor about a insurance fraud scams around compression hose. Compression Hose Fraud is Widespread in Benefit Plans Drug stores are “working out a deal” with some customers who have insurance coverage regarding the compression hose. The member is informed to get a prescription from […]
Beneplan recently interviewed Shawn Friedenberger, Communications Advisor at the Worker’s Compensation Board in Alberta (WCB Alberta). We’re interested to know how the WCB benefits interact with private health services plan benefits. For example, if someone gets injured on the job, then requires physiotherapy, and his employer’s plan has this benefit in place, who pays for the […]
Many Canadian health benefit plans have coverage for orthotics or orthopaedic shoes. The plans we place through The Co-operators usually cover $300 or $500 for either custom orthotic inserts or custom orthopaedic shoes, which must be dispensed by a foot specialist such as a podiatrist or chiropodist. If you don’t have a benefit plan, or […]
How to Negotiate with your Dentist It is possible to negotiate with your dentist for lower rates, since the markup that dentists charge on procedures can vary from office to office. Some charge above the “fair market price” which can be found in the current year’s Dental Fee Guide. The Dental fee guide is an […]
Most of the new cancer drugs which Health Canada are approving for use in 2011 and 2012 are oral, versus in a vial – meaning that instead of chemotherapy treatments being strictly administered intravenously by a doctor, patients can now be given a prescription to pick up their oral cancer medication at their local pharmacy. One […]
In the fall of 2009, CBC reported that Nathalie Blanchard, who was on long term disability (LTD) for depression, had her benefits cut off by Manulife after they found pictures of her on Facebook having fun on the beach and in a bar with friends. She claimed that she was trying to have fun on […]
The Ontario government has a drug plan called the Ontario Trillium Drug Program (“Trillium”). This is available to Ontarians who either: do not have drug coverage; or, who have reached the maximum on their drug coverage; or, their drug deductibles are very large compared to their household income. Trillium steps in and help […]
Wellness Tip: Benefits of Fasting Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. Fast for 5-10 days to remove toxins that are build up in the body as a result of the pollutants in the air we breathe, the chemicals in the food and water we consume and other means. […]
Can employers link their employees’ premium contributions to how much they weight? Some aggressive American employers are saying ‘Yes We Can.’ Most employers have some sort of cost-sharing component to their benefit plan. For example, employees would be asked to pay 50% of the cost of health and dental premiums. South of the border, some […]
Let us know if a staff member will be “Not Actively at Work” An employee is considered “Actively at work” if he or she is: • coming to work regularly • on regular vacation • on regular sick leave • on maternity leave If an employee will be away from work for any other reason […]
Dr. David Spence of Western University in London, Ontario has conducted a study of more than 1,200 people and found egg consumption accelerates atherosclerosis or plaque build up on arteries. He claims the cholesterol found in the yolk is almost as dangerous as smoking, containing 237 mgs of cholesterol in a jumbo egg. “It’s more than the cholesterol […]
We plan a workshop each year to teach our members how to effectively administer their benefit plans so that they are avoiding all possible legal issues. All benefit plan administrators are welcome. Tuesday, November 27th, 2012 10:00am to 3:00pm Westin Bristol Place Hotel Toronto Airport 950 Dixon Road Toronto ON M9W 5N4 There is no […]
Wellness Tip: Benefits of Juicing Evelyne Mitskopoulos CNP is our staff nutritionist and Director of Wellness at Beneplan. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of a wide range of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, including phytochemcials – compounds that have been shown to combat cancer. As more of the healthful substances are being found discovered […]
Sharlyn Lauby, SPHR is author of the blog HR Bartender and president of ITM Group Inc. Her company focuses on developing training solutions that engage and retain talent in the workplace. She’s the author of Employee Motivation published by ASTD Press and a contributing author on workplace power to “The ASTD Management Development Handbook”. Her […]
How to avoid being sued over technicalities in your benefit plan Business owners are often taken to court by their employees over tiny technicalities in their benefit plan. Here’s what can happen, and how to avoid an expensive settlement. Liability #1: Employees who are “Not Actively At Work (NAAW)”. All insurance contracts state that if an […]
Drug plan costs are on the rise, and generic drugs can provide huge savings for sponsors, group insurers and plan members. Generic drug prices are declining, and it’s important to understand generics so that you can take advantage of benefit plan savings. Brand name prescriptions are almost three times more expensive than generics, priced on […]
Market leading insurance companies such as Sun Life Financial and the Co-operators Life Insurance Co are transitioning to generic substitution in an effort to ensure long-term drug plan sustainability. As of recently, all new business to their pay direct and pay deferred drug plans will be set up with mandatory generic substitution. What this means […]
Lowest cost group benefit provider in Ontario The Beneplan Co-operative is the lowest cost group benefit provider in Ontario and Canada for groups with less than 500 lives. Mark-up to administer benefits is lowest For groups with under 50 lives, the all-inclusive administration fee is 15%. This includes: • 8% Admin Fee to Beneplan • […]
Best benefits broker in Toronto by customer service The Beneplan Co-operative provides the best customer service out of any benefits broker in Toronto . Here’s why: • Multiple 1-800#s available for employees to call in with questions • A personal benefits consultant is assigned to each employer • Your benefits consultant can be reached by […]