CLHIA – Benefits Canada.com

How is the pandemic, policy issues impacting group benefits and pharmaceutical industries?

Jennifer Paterson — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 14:00:25 +0000

The proposed amendments to the patented medicines regulations by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board could have a big impact on both the group insurance and pharmaceutical industry. “The CLHIA is very supportive of PMPRB adjustments that may be coming,” said Joan Weir, director of health and disability policy at the Canadian Life and Health […]

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Health benefits claims paid out to support mental health rose 24% in 2020: CLHIA

Jennifer Paterson — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:00:53 +0000

Canadian insurers paid out more than $97 billion in benefits from life and health insurance products in 2020, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. The period, which included the first nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, included $420 million paid out for psychology-related claims to support mental health, up 24 […]

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CLHIA calling for increased access to VPLAs, prescription drugs

bwolfe — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 19:00:32 +0000

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is calling on the federal government to permit standalone variable payment life annuities to pool participants from all registered retirement plans. In its 2022 federal budget submission, the CLHIA said VPLAs, as enacted, will only be available to members of very large defined contribution pension plans, excluding Canadians […]

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CAPSA developing multi-jurisdictional VPLA framework for DC pension plans

bwolfe — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 13:00:25 +0000

The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities is developing a framework for defined contribution pension plans to offer variable payment life annuities. In developing the framework, the CAPSA said it will address topics such as plan design and conversion options, as well as member disclosure, spousal consent, plan termination, investment rules and regulatory oversight for […]

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Using non-binary gender descriptors remains challenge for benefits, insurance industries

mdunne — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:15:40 +0000

While employees are being more open about their gender identities — whether they identify as gender fluid, intersex, non-binary, transgender or two-spirit — at work these days, there’s still progress to be made when it comes to benefits language, systems, plans and rate tables, says Chantelle Tadman, manager of benefits, savings plans and wellness at […]

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CLHIA elects Michael Doughty new board chair

lbailey — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 19:00:39 +0000

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has elected Michael Doughty, president and chief executive officer of Manulife Canada, as its chair. Doughty will take over the role from Jean-François Chalifoux, the president and chief executive officer of Beneva Inc., who was appointed chair in December 2020 and who’ll remain on the board as a past […]

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CLHIA opening government-affairs office for Western Canada

bwolfe — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 05:00:43 +0000

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is opening a government-affairs office serving Western Canada. The Calgary-based office will support the CLHIA’s members operating in the west and work with provincial and territorial governments and other regional stakeholders, according to a press release. The office is the association’s first permanent operation west of Toronto and will […]

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CLHIA calling for flexible annuity options, changes to TFSA rules

bwolfe — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:00:35 +0000

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is calling on the federal government to provide Canadians with access to more-secure retirement income. In its submission to the 2021 federal budget, the CLHIA recommended that Canadians in and approaching retirement have access to flexible annuity options within registered pensions, registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income […]

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Health Canada delaying drug pricing reforms until July

mschmit — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 05:00:33 +0000

Health Canada says it’s delaying the implementation of long-awaited changes to Canada’s drug-pricing regime by another six months. A spokesman for the department, says the amendments to patented medicine regulations, which were set to take effect Jan. 1, will now come into force on July 1. Geoffroy Legault-Thivierge says the postponement is intended to give pharmaceutical manufacturers […]

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CLHIA’s Ontario budget submission highlights drug access, inflexible pension plans

mschmit — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:15:14 +0000

In its 2020 budget submission to the Ontario government, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is highlighting a lack of access to affordable prescription drugs and inflexible pension plans. With respect to prescription drugs, the CLHIA noted it supports the federal Patented Medicine Prices Review Board reforms, which were introduced on Friday. “It is crucial that the […]

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