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2019 Top Trends in Health Benefits Shared by YXE Benefits Saskatoon

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the Chambers group plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members.  In our latest post, we share an article on the 2019 top trends in health benefits.

 

Top Trends in Canada Health Benefits in 2019

  1. Heard of Telemedicine?

Many insurers have established partnerships with providers of telemedicine, and are actively promoting it as an optional benefit, or for plan sponsors, to promote it as an eligible expense under Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSAs).

Plan members can use their computer, phone or smartphone app to get 24/7 access to nurse practitioners or physicians, who can immediately diagnose and prescribe for common ailments. Employers that derive most of their revenue from hourly billings, for example, will likely find the service especially appealing.

“It certainly provides value to private plans because it gives very timely and efficient access to care so that employees are more productive and do not have to take time off work to go to walk-in clinics.” 

  1. Virtual care

Virtual care takes telemedicine a step further by providing an alternative way to access ongoing care (for example, for plan members already diagnosed with chronic conditions). Members consult with specialists and other allied healthcare professionals by phone, computer or smart app.

Virtual care for mental health, and more specifically for cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), is leading the way. Indeed, the long-term aim is to promote the use of virtual CBT as an early intervention, while employees are still at work, to prevent disability claims.

“A lot of pilots are out there now for virtual CBT. The important thing to note is that it doesn’t necessarily mean additional costs for the plan sponsor or new out-of-pocket costs for the plan member. This is about diverting some of the traditional benefit dollars to deliver services in a different way, and more cost-effectively.”

  1. Healthcare Apps

Recently, we have seen a number of healthcare apps, from both start-up vendors and traditional healthcare innovators. Insurers will soon be vetting the options to determine which are medically valid and financially viable as benefit offerings. These apps will complement existing benefits and can reduce costs.

“For example, an employee may go to a psychologist every six weeks, at a cost to the plan of $150 per visit. Between visits, he uses an app that costs $10 a month that helps him manage his anxiety day-to-day. Today, that $150 visit is an eligible expense, but the $10 app is not. If the $10 app saved one or more psychologist visits per year, it would save money and cover its own cost.”

As with many new benefits, coverage for healthcare apps will likely initially be promoted as an eligible expense under HCSAs.

  1. Targeted Health messaging

This year could mark a pivotal year for wellness supports from the workplace, due to insurers’ growing capabilities in analytics and artificial intelligence to send targeted, action-oriented health information to plan members.

“We can identify plan members who are at risk for chronic conditions, or who may be at risk for disability leave. We can reach out to them, with their consent, with helpful information and suggestions for care.”

Personalized, regular health messaging could be the missing link to help prevent and manage chronic disease. While past pilot projects consistently showed the value of coaching from allied health professionals (such as pharmacists and dietitians) for members with health risk factors or chronic diseases, member enrollment was a challenge and ongoing costs a concern. The incorporation of targeted messaging from insurers, with automated “nudges” that can be delivered digitally, may help with both engagement and cost-effectiveness.

  1. Medical cannabis

The most popular conversation come renewal time this year will likely be about coverage for medical cannabis. Now that most insurers have put together offerings for optional coverage, plan sponsors will be able to address a topic that continues to steadily garner media attention—which in turn stokes consumer interest.

Currently, Health Canada reports that more than 300,000 Canadians take medical cannabis, presumably paying out of pocket (or possibly using funds from healthcare spending accounts).

See related YXE Benefits posts on medical cannabis.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin. 

Contact us today for a quote…. find out if you can benefit!

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

Teladoc Telemedicine Service Bringing Better Care To Chamber Plan Members

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the Chambers group plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members.  In our latest post, we share information about the Teladoc Telemedicine Service.

Teladoc Telemedicine Service
Heard of Teladoc Telemedicine Service?

While Chambers Plan continues to provide stable, comprehensive group benefits to over 30,000 Canadian firms, we are always on the lookout for opportunities to provide you and your employees with even greater value.

In a recent survey the Globe and Mail reported that  57% of Canadians reported they could not secure an appointment with their family doctor within 48 hours, and 76% of Canadians found it difficult to secure care during evenings, weekends and holidays.

Not only is this adding strain to our healthcare system, leading to exceedingly long wait times in walk-in clinics and patients progressively seeking non-urgent care in emergency rooms, but it contributes to increased absenteeism in the workplace.

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Teladoc Health, the global leader in virtual care who provides convenient access to high-quality care for millions of people in more than 130 countries. The Teladoc telemedicine service helps members consult with a physician about non-urgent medical matters by video conference or by phone, from wherever they are, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When you need a doctor, call one anytime, anywhereTeladoc Telemedicine Service

Up in the middle of the night with a sick child? Need a prescription refill but don’t want to spend hours in a waiting room? Living or vacationing in a remote location, making it difficult to obtain medical care? Chambers Plan, in partnership with Teladoc Health, now offers a solution.

During the visit, members can receive a diagnosis, treatment recommendation, and even be prescribed medicine when necessary. Every doctor is certified by the Canadian College of Family Physicians to ensure the highest standards of quality.

And the best part is, as of September 1st, 2019, Chambers Plan now offers the Teladoc telemedicine service at no additional charge to all Plan members, and their dependents, who hold a Chambers Plan Extended Health Care benefit.

Simply download the Teladoc app from Apple or Google Play, complete the quick registration, and request a consultation either by video conference or by phone.

 

A DOCTOR’S CARE. ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin. 

Contact us today for a quote…. find out if you can benefit!

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

Importance of Critical Illness Insurance Explained by YXE Benefits Saskatoon

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart group benefits choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the Chambers group plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Saskatoon Chamber members.  In our latest post, we discuss the benefits of having Critical Illness Insurance.

Critical Illness Insurance Coverage Helps You Recover

A critical illness can strike at any time, and it can happen to anyone, regardless of their age or gender. Although the incidence of cancer, heart disease, and stroke are rising in Canada, the odds of surviving a critical illness are better than ever. Thanks to medical advances.

But surviving a health crisis can often involve a number of financial challenges for which you were unprepared. Long Term Disability payments can help replace lost wages, but not the additional costs associated with surviving a critical illness. Expenses like time off work, travel to and from treatments, home modifications or assistance at home are now added on top of your normal living expenses. That’s where Critical Illness Insurance comes in.

Critical Illness InsuranceEase the financial pressures associated with a life-threatening illness

Critical Illness insurance is designed to ease the financial pressures associated with a life-threatening illness by paying a tax-free lump sum if you become seriously ill. As a result, you can devote 100% of your energy to recovery, without worrying about how your illness has affected you financially.

The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Critical Illness benefit can pay a lump sum of up to $50,000 for employees or spouses facing an initial diagnosis of one of twenty-five serious conditions including cancer, heart attack, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, major burns, coma, speech loss, coronary bypass, stroke, kidney failure, paralysis, blindness and deafness. There are no restrictions for the money – it can be used however the member wishes.

Living with a critical illness can be a physically, emotionally, and financially trying period. The Chambers Plan Critical Illness benefit offers you simple, affordable protection, allowing you to concentrate on healing without worrying about your finances. So take a few moments to review your benefits plan, and make sure it’s offering the protection you deserve.

Saskatoon critical illness insurance

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin. 

Contact us today for a quote…. find out if you can benefit!

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

Extended Health Benefits Of The Chambers Plan

YXE Benefits offers the simple, stable, smart choice for Saskatoon businesses; combining accessibility, flexibility and the stability of pooled benefits. Saskatoon companies choose the Chambers group plan because it offers unsurpassed value & outstanding customer service. The Chambers plan group benefits are for Chamber members.  In our latest post, we discuss Extended Health Benefits.

With quick claim payments, rate stability, and guaranteed renewable coverage, the Chambers Plan makes it easy for you to invest in the health and well-being of your employees. 3,000 small businesses just like yours join the Plan every year across Canada. Our local YXE Benefits advisors will design a plan to fit your needs and your budget from an array of benefits and options, including extended health benefits!

Extended Health Benefits.

Health insurance helps employees and their dependents pay for necessary medical expenses that aren’t covered by their provincial plan. The Chambers Plan Health options cover up to 100% of eligible costs and provide affordable health insurance for what Canadian employees need most: prescription drugs, paramedical services, vision care, emergency travel insurance and medical equipment and supplies.

Extended Health Benefits Prescription drugs Saskatoon

Prescription Drug Coverage

You want a prescription drug plan that is affordable, easy to use, provides comprehensive coverage and can save time and money. The Chambers Plan uses TELUS Assure pay direct cards for easy, convenient, real-time adjudication of drug claims right at the point of purchase.

The Chambers Plan also uses the TELUS Health National Formulary – an evolving list of prescription drugs that ensures coverage and accessibility to safe, cost-effective, quality drug therapies. The Plan pairs the formulary with a second, higher co-pay tier to encourage patients to make smart choices while providing coverage for the most frequently dispensed medications. Read more about the National Formulary

Paramedical Practitioner Services

Chambers Plan Health options cover many paramedical practitioner services at the usual and customary rates, with maximums ranging up to $600 per person per type of service in a calendar year.

Audiologists / Chiropractors / Podiatrists and Chiropodists / Massage Therapists / Acupuncturists / Physiotherapists / Licensed Speech Therapists / Licensed Clinical Psychologists / Naturopaths / Osteopaths / Clinical Dieticians

Medical Equipment and Supplies

  • Up to $25,000 per person toward home nursing care
  • Emergency ground or air ambulance to the nearest hospital
  • Up to $700 per person toward the purchase and installation of a hearing aid

Emergency Travel Insurance

Emergency travel insurance for employees and their dependents is included in every Chambers Plan Health option. Travel insurance includes coverage for eligible expenses resulting from a medical emergency outside an employee’s province of residence and includes services such as:

Telephone translation services / Emergency medical funding and evacuation / After-hospital care and nursing / Returning dependent children to their home / Trip interruption / Return of vehicle

Extended Health Benefits

Vision Care (Glasses, Contacts, Eye Surgery)

The Chambers Plan offers up to $200 of Vision Care benefits per individual.

Your YXE Benefits Chambers Plan advisor in Saskatoon can provide a complete list of Extended Health Care benefits based on the option you choose.

We encourage you to connect with us on our Saskatoon social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter & Linkedin. 

Contact us today for a quote…. find out if you can benefit!

‘Join the Group- It’s Time To Benefit’
www.yxebenefits.ca

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