Digital Employee Health Benefits for Canadian Employers and Employees

A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) can be a valuable addition to a traditional benefits plan or a stand-alone plan. HSAs are tax-free, in most cases, and are usually set up with an overall maximum that allows employees to be reimbursed for medically required expenses that are not covered under their provincial health plan or their regular group benefits plan.

A Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) is a taxable account that allows employers to provide employees with flexibility in how they utilize their benefits. The employer decides what categories of lifestyle and wellness products will be reimbursed, and typically allocates a maximum amount that each employee can spend.

Extended Health Care (EHC) helps cover the cost of healthcare products and services not covered by provincial healthcare plans. Employers can design a plan that reflects the degree of risk they are prepared to assume and the level of protection they want to provide their employees by choosing their coinsurance, maximums, and combination of eligible services for each type of benefit (e.g., prescription drugs, major medical, paramedical, vision care, etc.).

Paramedical coverage makes up a piece of Extended Health Care (EHC) benefits and provides coverage for a variety of practitioners not usually covered under a provincial health plan. Some of the paramedical practitioners usually included in a group plan are Massage therapy, Chiropractic services, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, etc.

Prescription drug coverage is one of the most important features of your benefits plan. As an employer, you need a drug plan that is sustainable and considers a population that could have an increasing need for more prescription medication. You should also consider advancements in medicine and specialty drugs, which could mean an ongoing increase in the cost of drugs and treatments.

Dental care benefits provide comprehensive dental services and supplies for plan members and their eligible dependents. The scope of most dental services covered under a dental plan usually includes three major categories: Basic, Major Restorative, and Orthodontics.

Major Health coverage (included under the EHC benefit) includes ambulance services, medical supplies & equipment, out-of-country medical insurance, hospital coverage, vision care, among other coverages. A wide range of options are available, and plans can be tailored to the needs of your employees.

Vision Care is usually an optional benefit included under Extended Health Care. It offers coverage for prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Eye exam coverage reimburses for expenses incurred when visiting a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.

An Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) is a professional counseling and referral service sponsored by the employer. This benefit provides service to employees, and their family members, to help resolve or cope with personal problems in a confidential and voluntary manner.

Group Life insurance provides a solid foundation to an employee benefits plan. It offers essential protection when the unexpected happens — providing a financial safety net to employees and their loved ones.

Dependent Life Insurance provides a flat payment in the event a covered spouse or child passes away.

Critical Illness Insurance pays a flat sum to an employee and/or Spouse & Dependent if they are diagnosed with any one of several major critical illnesses included in the chosen plan (ie. heart attack, stroke, cancer, kidney failure).

Group AD&D pays benefits if an employee’s death is the result of an accident, or if an employee suffers the loss of use of any one of a number of limbs or body parts.

Long Term Disability offers income replacement for disease or injury that would prevent an employee from working for an extended period. Benefits are usually payable to age 65 if the disabled employee meets the Plan’s definition of disability.

Short Term Disability covers income during an employee’s short-term absence from work due to illness or injury. It pays a weekly sum based on a percentage of the employee’s gross earnings.

Out of Country/Province or Emergency Travel Assistance coverage provides assistance and claim payment services for unexpected travel emergencies outside an employee’s province of residence.

Virtual care, also known as telemedicine, is the delivery of medical services over the internet or phone. We partner with Wello Virtual Healthcare to allow patients to communicate with a healthcare provider remotely, rather than in person.