The Canadian budget presented in Parliament yesterday doesn't affect group benefits plans, but does affect independent insurance or financial advisors if and when they want to sell or transition their business, by way of a capital gain.

It's become more popular than ever for employee benefits clients to request that their payroll provider or human resources information system (HRIS) "connects" directly to their insurance carrier. This is doable and possible, but there is a lot of work to be done to ensure a clean file of data can pass through the systems. Here is how to project manage this if it comes across your desk.

It's critical to make sure you look out for opportunities to waive the premiums on pooled benefits where applicable. Here are 3 examines in the Canadian group benefits market.

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We have been told as Canadians to expect some form of universal national pharmacare since 2018. This new announcement by the NDP is vague, uninspiring, and unclear. Therefore, I'm not motivated to change what we're doing as employee benefits advisors and TPAs. Health insurance is complex in Canada and it's important not to take for granted the heavy lifting required to change infrastructure.

Let's get into the backlash that Manulife and Loblaws grocery experienced when they tried last week to roll out a preferred pharmacy network for 260 specialty drugs. This is a common employee benefits group health insurance tactic used to save money, but it needs to be heavily socialized in Canada and might ultimately fail.

Employee benefits plans sometimes come with optional add-ons, like employee assistance programs (EAPs). These can cost around $5 per person, per month (PEPM). Large group benefits purchasers usually find better success negotiating this on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) basis.

Employee benefits in Canada can be taxable - or not - depending on which specific product, depending on who is paying the premium, and under what circumstances. It's best to read the CRA canada.ca revenue Canada taxable benefits employers guide. You can also call them to ask more questions. Group life and long term disability insurance premiums are taxable benefits. Medical expenses in cash are also taxable benefits.

The holidays are coming and it's a popular time for travel out of the province or country. Educate clients about the pre-existing condition clauses in emergency medical travel insurance, remind people not to give their credit card to a hospital, and what to say to a plan member when they're getting collections calls from a hospital outside of their home province.

The employee benefits industry probably has conflict every single day of the year. Here's a conversation pattern that I use to start a conversation with an opposing party. How to diffuse, de-escalate and move forward together to solve problems. Health insurance can create many negative emotions and it's important to not take things personally.