Benefits Alliance Voice

Benefits Alliance Voice

The Benefits Alliance Voice was created for those wanting to keep up with what's happening in the Canadian Group Benefits and Group Retirement industry. As the voice of the industry, we will cover topics ranging from Pharmacare, Financial Literacy, Building a Group Benefits Plan, Virtual Healthcare, Changes to Employment Insurance (EI), Canadian Disability Coverage, and more! Subscribe to hear the latest episodes!

  1. Kids Aren't Tiny Adults - Understanding Virtual Care for Infants, Children and Teens

    4D AGO

    Kids Aren't Tiny Adults - Understanding Virtual Care for Infants, Children and Teens

    In this conversation, Ashton Thornton and Adam Saperia from KixCare join Carolyne and Rob to discuss the unique challenges and solutions in pediatric healthcare, emphasizing the importance of virtual care for children and families.   They highlight the impact of physical health and mentalhealth on children's well-being and the productivity of arents, advocating for a proactive approach to healthcare that empowers families. The discussion also covers the need for modernizing employee benefits to include comprehensivepediatric care, ensuring that families have access to timely and effective support that prevents visits to ER and long waiting lists so employees can quickly get re-focused on work. What You Will Learn:  Kixcare focuses on pediatric care, emphasizing that kids are not just small adults - the physical and mental health care required by infants, young children and teens is managed differently than with adults.The mental health of children significantly impacts parental productivity.Proactive healthcare can prevent more serious health issues in children.Virtual care allows for immediate access to pediatric expertise with regular touchpoints until the illness is resolved or in the hands of a capable practitioner.Families benefit from a comprehensive ecosystem of healthcare providers.Parents need support and knowledge to navigate their children's health.Kixcare aims to modernize benefits for families, making healthcare accessible.Utilization rates for Kixcare services are significantly higher than traditional options. Keywords:Kixcare, pediatric care, virtual care, mental health, family health, proactive care, employee benefits, healthcareinnovation, child health, telehealth

    41 min
  2. Navigating the World of Specialized Risk Insurance

    FEB 4

    Navigating the World of Specialized Risk Insurance

    In this episode of the Benefits Alliance podcast, hostsRob and Carolyne engage with Mylène Desjardins and RosyRosario from Beneva to explore the nuances of specialized risk insurance. They discuss how this type of insurance differs from traditional plans, the importance of understanding high-risk situations, and the critical role of advisors in ensuring comprehensive coverage for employees.      What You Will Learn: Special risk insurance is essential for high-risk situations.Traditional insurance may not cover all employee needs.Advisors play a crucial role in identifying coveragegaps.Special risk insurance can significantly impact familiesduring crises.Beneva offers tailored solutions for diverse employeeneeds.  Keywords: specialized risk insurance, traditional insurance, high-risk coverage, employee benefits, Beneva, insurance advisors, critical illness, accident insurance, employee protection, insurance landscape

    23 min
  3. Recognizing Obesity as a Chronic Condition: The Case for Coverage, Inclusion and Lower Claims Costs

    JAN 15

    Recognizing Obesity as a Chronic Condition: The Case for Coverage, Inclusion and Lower Claims Costs

    Rob and Carolyne chat with Sandra Elia from Obesity Matters and Dr. Sandy Van, a Weight Management Physician, aboutsupporting employees who suffer from obesity - an ailment that is responsible for many drug costs. Hear all about how addressing the root cause may lower claims overall and will reduce absenteeism along with short- and long-term disability costs. What You Will Learn:   Obesity is a chronic, complex medical condition that requires comprehensive treatment. Obesity medications should be covered by employee benefitplans like other chronic illnesses.Covering obesity drugs may reduce other drug costs and can result in fewer short- and long-term disability claims.Creating an inclusive work environment is crucial for employee well-being.Employers can improve productivity by addressingobesity in the workplace.

    38 min
  4. Checking the boxes on the CAPSA Guidelines

    JAN 7

    Checking the boxes on the CAPSA Guidelines

    Carolyne and Rahim are joined by Marc-Antoine Morin from Manulife. Together they review the recommendations of the CAPSA guidelines and the importance of adhering to them. They finish by talking about what's coming in 2026 and the implications of AI in plan governance. What You Will Learn:How CAPSA guidelines have evolved in 2025How employers can best support employees while adhering to the guidelinesUnderstanding what needs to be documented as part of the guidelinesThe role an advisor plays in helping employers adhere to the CAPSA guidelinesThe importance of cyber securityThe challenges offered by AI down the roadWhat to expect from CAPSA guidelines in 2026

    42 min
  5. Uncovering ROI in Mental Health Programs

    JAN 7

    Uncovering ROI in Mental Health Programs

    In this conversation, Laura Pratt from Canada Life joins Carolyne and Rob.   They discuss the importance of workplace mental health, the rising costs associated with mental health issues, and the strategies organizations can implement to create a psychologically safe environment.  Laura reviews a case study with measurable results from an effective workplace mental health program.

    29 min
  6. DEI in Drug Plans - It’s Not What You Think!

    12/04/2025

    DEI in Drug Plans - It’s Not What You Think!

    In this conversation, Tara Liu, Assistant Vice President of Drug Claims Strategy at Canada Life, joins Rob and Carolyne to discuss the importance of integrating Diversity, Equity,and Inclusion (DEI) into employee benefit programs, particularly drug benefits. She emphasizes the distinction between health equity and equality, the impact of Canada's diverse workforce on benefit planning, and the need for tailored support to address individual health needs.

    29 min
  7. Understanding Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace

    11/21/2025

    Understanding Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace

    Join Rob and Carolyne who speak with Maude Villeneuve,Coordinator of the Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management and Work (powered by Beneva), at Laval University. They discuss what is meant by psychosocial risks and how they impact costs in the workplace.

    20 min
  8. Myth Busting Obesity: It's Not What You Think

    11/07/2025

    Myth Busting Obesity: It's Not What You Think

    Join Rob and Carolyne with guests, Neda Nasseri and Sandra Elia, as they dispel the long-held myths about obesity and focus on its complexities as a chronic disease. They also offer suggestions to employers to help foster a supportive environment.

    40 min
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About

The Benefits Alliance Voice was created for those wanting to keep up with what's happening in the Canadian Group Benefits and Group Retirement industry. As the voice of the industry, we will cover topics ranging from Pharmacare, Financial Literacy, Building a Group Benefits Plan, Virtual Healthcare, Changes to Employment Insurance (EI), Canadian Disability Coverage, and more! Subscribe to hear the latest episodes!

Information

  • Creator
    Benefits Alliance Voice
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Benefits Alliance Voice
  • Show Website
    Benefits Alliance Voice