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There are 3 types of Prescription Drug reimbursement programs: Reimbursement for Brand Name Drugs with no option for Generic Drugs.  This means that if there is a generic drug available the insured does not have to elect this option.  The plan will pay for all Brand Name Drugs.  Telus Health has indicated that there is still…

Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign to help physicians and patients engage in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures. I was introduced to this website when I was at the Telus Health Conference in Kelowna last month.  As my family and I age, I am finding more exposure to this situation.  I had a family…

There is a lot of controversy over Genetic Testing and how it will affect a person in their job and in purchasing insurance.  The Globe and Mail recently did an article on "How Genetic Testing Can be Used Against You", and as usual I agree with a small portion of what they say. I have been…

In 2016 the Victoria Day holiday is on Monday, May 23. Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25 in every province and territory. It honours Queen Victoria's birthday. In Quebec this holiday is called "National Patriotes Day" (Journée nationale des patriotes). Victoria Day is also commonly referred to…

I attended the Telus Health Conference last week and they talked about all of the data that is being collected regarding people's health.  The question is, what do we do with this data?  What does it mean?  The average person has no idea how to process this data, therefore, the fit bit is worn for…

They are calling the Generic for Biologic Drugs, Subsequent-Entry Biologics (SEB). The Subsequent-Entry Biologics are 15% and in some cases a 47% reduction in cost.  Green Shield, an Insurance Company that specializes in Extended Health and Dental Benefits, has created policies surrounding this. So then, what’s an Subsequent-Entry Biologic? An Subsequent-Entry Biologic is a biologic product that…

I find there are many great articles available on a variety of interesting subjects, but I don't always seize the moment, and when I return to read them later I have difficulty finding them.  That is why I have a "Search" on my site.  Enter in the key words and the blogs pertaining to that…

Do you understand what part of your benefit program are being impacted by Biologic Drugs? What is a biological product? Biological products include a wide range of products such as vaccines, blood and blood components, allergenics, somatic cells, gene therapy, tissues, and recombinant therapeutic proteins. Biologics can be composed of sugars, proteins, or nucleic acids or…

Mental Illness & Suicide - Insurance Companies are Reconsidering Covering Suicide Attempts This session will be an 'old fashion' Roundtable with interactive discussion, in which Pamela Glendinning will share her inside knowledge regarding disability insurance and reviewing the exclusions in your employee benefit contract in regards to attempted suicides. There has been a lot of…