excerpt from Benefits and Pension Monitor – ONLINE
Year: 2017
Global health-care plan costs to rise faster than inflation in 2018: report
The average cost increases for employer-sponsored health-care plans are set to increase at a faster rate than inflation in 2018, according to a new report by Aon…
Bill 148 is Now the Law in Ontario
Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, which significantly amends Ontario labour and employment law, has received Royal Assent and is now law. Earlier in 2017, the Ontario government issued its response to a Final Report two Special Advisors drafted as part of their Changing Workplaces Review. This Final Report included 173 recommendations for amendments to Ontario employment and labour laws.
Have kids under 25 taking higher cost speciality drugs?
Final details of the OHIP+ program are still coming in dribs and drabs.
One area where we may see issues is for those under 25 years old, currently on medication that is on the Ontario EAP formulary. In the past, these medications were paid for by the benefit plan, but going forward the province will pay the cost once an application has been made to, and approved by, the provincial program.
Exceptional Access Program and OHIP+ – plan member action required
The province is recommending that for those individuals taking a drug on an ongoing basis, they should be encouraged to talk to their doctor to see if the drug is part of the government’s EAP. If it is they should ask their doctor to submit an EAP request form now to avoid interruption of coverage on Jan 1.
Due to the provinces change in process, failing to make this application could result in the benefit plan ceasing to pay for these often expensive drugs.
Communication about OHIP+ will continue in the coming months.