News
October, 2011
Employee turnover on the rise: HR Metrics Service
Median cost of resignation rises 60 per cent (Read More)
October, 2011
Administrative & Technology Updates
• Effective October 24, Desjardins plan members have access to a new secure website. Plan members will be able to submit their claims for vision care and for services provided by healthcare professionals. Plan members will also be able to update dependent information, if allowed by their plan. They will have access to key information about their personal coverage and will be able to print a temporary payment card.
• Equitable Life of Canada has Launched Single Screen Enrolment (SSE) - simplifies plan administration and prevents incomplete or missing information.
• Encon - announced enhancement to their Online Health & Dental Claims Centre - allows plan members to submit their own claims directly online.
• Shepell-fgi - offering Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support through video counselling.
Recommended Reading
9 Trends in Innovation | Futuresearch Blog – Futurist Richard Worzel
June, 2011
Increased opportunity for employees to learn more about their Health
Great-West Life has launched a new application, DrugHub: Medicine Cabinet in Your Pocket that works with iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads.
The following information is provided through this app:
- A powerful, searchable database – the ability to look up thousands of medications.
- Prescription drug education – information about what’s in a medication, how to take it, possible interactions, side effects and more.
- Medication reminders – allow plan members and their families to stay on schedule with their medication.
- Other features – track how much of a medication has been taken, when to re-order and when a refill is due.
You may find more information on DrugHub application here.
The mobile platform is good opportunity to help employees become more engaged with their benefit plan, and we will continue to see new developments in this area.
May, 2011
BC Government Announces Free Support to Smokers
Effective September 30, 2011, the province of British Columbia will extend coverage of smoking cessation prescription drugs and nicotine replacement therapies to all British Columbian smokers at no cost.
The province will cover the individuals choice of nicotine gum or nicotine patches for up to 12 weeks, or alternatively, coverage of prescribed smoking cessation drugs are available through PharmaCare to all BC smokers.
For the official BC Government News Release please click here.
December, 2010
Pooled Registered Pension Plan
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has announced that the provinces and federal government came to an agreement during yesterday’s meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., to move ahead with the pooled registered pension plan (PRPP) framework. Expansion of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is being moved to the back burner for now. (Read More)
November, 2010
Employment Insurance (EI) and Quebec Pension Plan's (QPP) Changes - January 1, 2011
The Employment Insurance (EI) maximum insurable earnings will be increasing from $43,200 to $44,200 effective January 1, 2011 and the maximum weekly EI benefit amount will rise from $457 to $468.
Quebec Pension Plan's Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) will be increasing from $47,200 to $48,300 effective January 1, 2011. (Read more)
October, 2010
MSP Premium Increase - January 1st 2011
As of January 1, 2011, unassisted rates will increase by $3.50 a month for individuals and $7.00 a month for families in BC.
New monthly rates will be $60.50 for one person, $109.00 for a family of two, and $121.00 for a family of three or more.
(Read more)
October, 2010
Canada’s Top 100 Employers: pensions and benefits matter
"Despite challenging economic times, we've seen strong interest by employers in
maintaining and improving their working conditions for employees," says Yerema.
"Many of this year's winners have learned from past economic slowdowns that you
can do lasting damage to an organization by scaling back on benefits that are
important to employees." (Benefitscanada.ca).
(Read more)
August, 2010
New Pharmacy Services Agreement
A new agreement was signed between the BC Ministry of Health Services, the BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) and the Canadian Association of Chain Drugstores (CACDS) effective July 28, 2010.
Under the agreement, there will be changes to current PharmaCare fees and policies.
The BC PharmaCare Newsletter with additional information can be found here
July, 2010
The BC Human Resource Management Association (BCHRMA) has released it's third annual report detailing the key trends and challenges shaping the HR agenda for 2010 and beyond.
• What is on the agenda for HR as the recovery begins?
• How has the economic climate impacted HR budgets and where are resources being focused?
• What is different about private and public sector responses?
• How does involvement in strategy impact organizational projections?
For the complete report, please click on the link below.
http://www.bchrma.org/pdf/trends2010.pdf
July, 2010
The government of BC has taken steps to dramatically lower the price of Generic Prescription drugs.
Over time, we expect that this action will reduce prescription drug costs in employer sponsored benefit plans.
The BC government press release can be found here
A more detailed Powerpoint slide show can be found here
April, 2010
Important Information About
Travel to Cuba
Effective May 1, 2010, the Republic of Cuba requires all travellers, foreigners and Cuban overseas residents to possess a travel insurance which covers medical expenses or a policy covering medical expenses that has been issued by an insurance entity recognized in Cuba. (Read More)
March, 2010
Cosmetic Procedures no longer eligible as a Medical Expenses
Under proposed changes in the Federal Budget of March 2010, expenses for purely cosmetic procedures, including any related services and other expenses such as travel, incurred after March 4, 2010 (to be claimed on your 2010 tax return), would be ineligible for the Medical Expenses Tax Credit (METC). Both surgical and non-surgical procedures purely aimed at enhancing one’s appearance would be ineligible.
An expense will continue to qualify for the METC if it is necessary for medical or reconstructive purposes, such as surgery to address a deformity related to a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease. (Read More)
March, 2010
Pointbreak is expanding again!
We are pleased to announce that Gord Donas has joined Pointbreak Consulting in the role of Senior Consultant.
Gord brings 16 years of experience with a national benefits consulting firm to Pointbreak. Gord is an active member of the benefits community and will focus his efforts on supporting our SME (small and medium enterprises) and association clients.
Please feel free to call Gord or any one of us if you have any questions or if we can serve you in any other way. (More information)
January, 2010
Short Term Disability (STD) Programs affected by the 2010 Employment Insurance (EI) Change
EI program changes effective January 1, 2010 will impact employer sponsored STD benefit programs that feature the following plan designs:
1) The weekly benefit maximum is based on the EI maximum weekly benefit - $447 (2009), $457 (2010)
2) The EI maximum earnings amount is used to calculate the weekly disability benefit - $42,300 (2009), $43,200 (2010).
Programs affected by these changes will see an increase in premiums based on the higher weekly benefit volume insured. In addition, claim payments for short term disabilities occurring in 2010 will reflect the higher weekly benefit amount. Employers should check with their provider to ensure their billing and claim payments are automatically adjusted as of January 1, 2010.
Note: STD programs with weekly maximums lower than the EI weekly maximum ($457) do not qualify for the EI premium reduction program. For more info on this program visit: Service Canada
December, 2009
Increase in Employment Insurance Maximum Insurable Earnings
Effective January 1, 2010, the maximum insurable earnings will increase from $42,300 to $43,200. This means that an insured worker will pay EI premiums in 2010 on insured earnings up to $43,200. The maximum weekly EI benefit amount will rise from $447 to $457. (Read More)
September, 2009
Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC – 2010 Premium Increases
The revised 2009 provincial budget announced that MSP monthly premiums are scheduled to increase a maximum of $3 per single and $6 per family effective January 1, 2010. This is the first premium increase since 2002 and has been implemented to keep pace with rising healthcare costs and spending. MSP premiums will continue to increase proportionally on a go-forward basis.
Employers who administer and/or contribute towards MSP benefits for employees and their families should budget for a payroll-cost increase and/or communication memo announcing the change in January 2010.
For more info visit:
Government of BC – 2009 Budget Update
Budget Update Speech
August, 2009
Hiring and Retaining Skilled Immigrants
A Cultural Competence Toolkit. (Read)
July, 2009
Effective July 1, 2009, chiropractic services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan will no longer be covered
Alberta Health and Wellness will cover chiropractic services provided to eligible Albertans for dates of service prior to July 1, 2009, and process claims as usual. Chiropractic services provided on or after July 1, 2009, will not be covered. (Read More)
May, 2009
H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza)
The following links will provide you with information you need to keep current with Swine Flu developments.
Government of Canada: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
Government of B.C.: http://www.gov.bc.ca/govt/swine_flu.html
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en/
April, 2009
The government of Alberta has announced in its spring budget that it plans to delist chiropractic services from the list of insured services from its provincial health plan.
The exact date of the change is not yet known, but the government has indicated it will happen in the summer of 2009 (Read more)
March, 2009
Group TFSAs: A Tentative Start
While Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) are a hit with individuals, their penetration has been modest with group benefit plans in the workplace (Read more)
February, 2009
Province of BC Budget 2009
January, 2009
Economic Stimulus Package - Budget 2009
On January 27, 2009, the federal government tabled their 2009 budget plan to stimulate economic growth, restore confidence and support Canadians and their families during a synchronized global recession. (Read more)
January, 2009
Reminder: CRA list of of allowable medical expenses (Read more)
January, 2009
2009 Government Benefits (Read more)
January, 2009
PBC's response to Pharmacists and Dental Hygienists' Changes (Read More)
December, 2008
Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) was introduced with the 2008 federal budget. The TFSA is a flexible investment savings program that becomes available January 1, 2009. The TFSA allows individuals to invest after-tax dollars into an account that can grow tax-free. (Read More)
December, 2008
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) is introducing a revised coordination of benefits (COB) guideline, effective January 1.
CLHIA’s COB guideline helps ensure consistency in claims adjudication across all insurers whenever a person is covered for health and dental benefits under more than one plan. (Read more from Sun Life Financial)
November, 2008
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty proposed that federally regulated pension plans will have twice as much time required for solvency payments.
Many people's retirement funds have fallen substantially in value due to market conditions, so this is a way of saying 'we recognize that, so we're not going to force you to take as much money out of your retirement fund.' (Read more)
November, 2008
The new authority granted to pharmacists to adapt existing prescriptions comes into effect on January 1, 2009
The College of Pharmacists of BC has established Professional Practice Policy #58 (PPP-58) Medication Management – Adapting a Prescription and subsequent Orientation Guide designed to guide pharmacists in the safe and effective implementation of adapting prescriptions (Read more)
November, 2008
Simplified out-of-country claim adjudication for employees in Manitoba - Great West Life
Plan members can now send their claim information directly to Great-West. This new procedure applies to expenses incurred April 1, 2008, or later (Read more)
October, 2008
Work-Life Flexibility and Greedy Jobs
The humane balanced organizational model is the more efficient system, and it will eventually win in the marketplace (Read more)
October, 2008
In light of the recent turmoil in the U.S. financial markets
Financial stability: Important customer message (from Sun Life Financial)
Despite recent jolts, the Canadian economy remains stable. (from Desjardins Group)
While financial market events are concerning, it is important to remember that Canada's economic fundamentals remain strong (from Great-West Life) . Great-West Lifeco statements on Lehman and AIG Investment Exposures, Washington Mutual Investment Exposure, US Financial Exposure.
The Empire Life Insurance Company is a Canadian company and does not do business in the United States (from Empire Life)
To bring you additional insight on the issues, AALU is hosting a complimentary teleseminar Tuesday, October 14 (from NAILBA)
September, 2008
News Analysis: A lesson rooted in the Great Depression
Will future historians write about the Great Depression of the 2000s as they did about the one in the 1930s? The world's central bankers sought to answer "no" Thursday - resoundingly, though not definitively. (Read more)
August, 2008
Strategies for Attracting Talent
A competitive talent acquisition program is crucial to attract and retain skilled workers. (Read more)
August, 2008
Time to update eligibility records for over-age students
With school enrolment near, Sun Life needs current records for over-age
student dependents eligible to receive benefits as soon as possible
in order to ensure we process their claims correctly. (Read more)
August, 2008
Experts agree that the Tax-Free Saving Account (TFSA) is the most significant proposal in terms of a savings vehicle since the introduction of the RRSP in 1957.
Everyone was caught by surprise when the Federal Minister of Finance, Mr. Jim Flaherty, proposed a new saving plan, the Tax-Free Saving Account (TFSA), in his budget on February 26, 2008. (Read more)
July, 2008
The RAMQ has reviewed and adjusted the Basic Prescription Drug insurance Plan effective July 1, 2008.
These changes affect the plan's co-insurance, member out-of-pocket maximum, deductible and premium amounts. In Quebec, residents are required to have drug coverage provided by either RAMQ or a private insurance plan. (Read more)
July, 2008
New Children’s Drug Plan and changes to Seniors’ Drug Plan in
Saskatchewan
On July 1, the government of Saskatchewan has launched a new
prescription drug plan for children. The Children’s Drug Plan ensures
families will pay only $15 per prescription for drugs for children
age 14 and under. At the same time, Saskatchewan is changing their
existing Seniors’ Drug Plan, with the addition of an income-based
eligibility requirement. (Read more)
June, 2008
HR Trends in BC - 2008. Survey report
A new survey report from BC HRMA outlines the key trends and challenges which are shaping the HR agenda for 2008 and beyond. (Read more)