For years, employers with employee benefits plans in place have watched as the costs for prescription drugs (for their staff members & dependents) have sky-rocketed. In particular, the cost of biologic drugs (for conditions such as Cancer, Crohn’s, and Osteoarthritis) have impacted benefits plans. Now, one insurance company has taken steps that they believe will…
Every 6 months, Telus Health Solutions, one of the largest “drug compensation claims” providers in the country, publish a list of the average dispensing fees for each pharmacy chain for the past 6 months. They operate “the largest private electronic insurance claims network for transporting and adjudicating drug claims and transporting dental claims in Canada”….
Could this be a sign of things to come? “BBD (Benefits By Design) is proud to announce our new benefits arrangement with Costco Pharmacy as of November 1st, 2011.” BBD will be offering Green Shield Canada plan members a $5 discount per prescription filled at a Costco pharmacy. Before I go any further, for those…
There was a news piece today about the cost of drugs potentially going up. Yes, you read that correctly. It seems that the Canadian government is working on a trade agreement with the European Union. As part of the agreement, the E.U. wants the patent protection on brand-name drugs to be increased by 3 1/2…
There were two recent events in British Columbia which are now starting to affect employee benefits, and in particular, benefits premiums. First off, the H.S.T. Ah, three letters that can overthrow a government leader. Back on July 1st, the B.C. government rolled out their Harmonized Sales Tax (H.S.T.). As a result, claims for services provided…
