Blog
COVID’s impact on drugs and drug plans
Current inventories of pharmaceuticals in Canada should last into the fall; however, Health Canada and pharmaceutical stakeholders are collaborating at unprecedented levels to manage and prevent shortages now and in the long term. Stockpiling of maintenance...
Hitting Reset On The Mindset
We can’t afford to think “when this is over.” We have a job to do and a chance to step up and really shine. By Bill Zolis Five weeks in, working from home. I didn’t think it was a new thing for me, but I’m surprised and a little pleased to discover how much I’m...
Navigating the World of High-Cost Drugs
With a Focus on Biologics Almost 20 years have passed since private drug plans in Canada first experienced claims for high-cost biologic drugs. They quickly came to represent a sea-change in both medical practice (due to their effectiveness) and drug plan management...
HR Minute: Upholding an Employer’s Right to Medical Information
Purpose: The purpose of the HR Minute is to provide clients with timely information about human resources issues. Please take a moment to read this important information. The recent case of Provincial Health Services Authority (“Provincial Health”) and HAS BC (Kozak)...
Incoming President Jim Edmands
I am very pleased to be working withThe Benefits Alliance Group. The BA membership is a very talented group of people, the best in the industry with the depth, experience and the vision Canadian business’s need in today’s fast-paced changing marketplace. I have been...
Big Data Takes on Benefits Fraud
Data analysis is starting to make a dent in many benefits fraud schemes In the world of benefits fraud, there are big fish and little fish. A lot of the big fish do get caught – or at least shut down – but what usually comes as a very nasty surprise to the little...
Is Virtual Health Care the New Must-Have Benefit?
In the age of the smartphone, do we really still need to line up and wait to talk to a doctor? You can do all your banking from your phone, use the self-checkout at the supermarket, renew your car license online and live-stream the latest movies into your living room....
Changes to OHIP+ Effective April 1, 2019
The Ontario government is making changes to its OHIP+ Children and Youth Pharmacare program, as you know. The changes affect Ontario residents aged 24 and under, as follows: Those with prescription drug coverage under a private plan will access prescribed...