We are as vigilant as possible in reviewing renewal data, and looking for high paramedical claims that may indicate fraud.  We educate clients, and have several each year that inform us of suspicious behaviour by employees (often TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE offers).

We call fraud lines from time to time to report, and often make plan design changes (read as benefit cuts) in an attempt to protect employers.  The story below, shows how big the problem can become…

One of the fired employees said she began claiming for physiotherapy she did not receive because she was paying more each month into a benefits plan than she was actually using.

In what could be one of the largest and longest-lasting benefits fraud schemes ever discovered in Canada, a Toronto geriatric hospital has dismissed approximately 150 employees for falsely claiming as much as $5 million in benefits over an eight-year period.

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From time to time we find new technology launched into the employee benefits space, that while very cool, doesn’t really solve a problem.  It’s a great idea, but you can’t see an employer paying for it, unless they fit just a certain set of conditions (and few clients are working at remote mining towns in northern Ontario).

Telemedicine is one of those things.  Sure, having a doctor on your phone can save a visit to (and hence some lost time), but do employers want to pay when the current system works pretty good for free (and heck, they can go after hours and on weekends…right?)

Well now here is a fee for service model that can be used by anyone.  Don’t have a family doctor?  Wish you could do a quick consult but have a deadline and can’t afford to wait at the doctors office?  Are out of town at the cottage or a business trip and not close to your doctor?  All these situations may make this an option for you…

Appointment pricing ranges depending on the type (generally $25-$50). Appointments are paid by the employee, but can be covered by health spending accounts and a complete receipt is provided for reimbursement.

If you’d like to make this available AND pay for it for all your staff, yearly and monthly membership plans are available, just let us know and we can set you up..

For more information, check out TIA Health at  https://tiahealth.com/

This article came across my desk and I thought it well written and hit the points where we often see things go wrong, especially with smaller employers where HR might be part-time or absent.

The decision to terminate an individual’s employment is not an easy one. At times, however, whether due to economic pressures, or poor performance, it may nevertheless be necessary.

The process your organization follows when carrying out a termination of employment is important. It can have a big impact on the affected individual and, if done carefully, can reduce the potential risk of liability to your organization.

Here are our top five things that any employer should take into consideration when looking to dismiss an employee….

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