Author: Dave Patriarche

In our April Mainstay News each year, we share our average benefit plan cost increases for our block of business.   We also include the past 20+ years of changes on our website.  Those numbers reflect our current clients and the results often align or are better than the industry.   As an example, a recent article in Benefits & Pension Monitor Magazine had a major national consulting firm say they had “Overall health, including dental, (increases were) around 10 per cent…” which is much more than our bottom line 4% average over 20 years.

The following report share the experiences of a major insurer (not one that we use too often) including the fact that they are very near our clients performance levels.”In 2025, overall per‑capita drug spending increased by 4.0%, marking a slower rate of growth compared to recent years.”

Please read on if you’d like to learn more.

2026 Medavie Blue Cross Drug Trend Report

The drug landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, reshaped by new therapies, shifting utilization patterns, and rising expectations for accessible, equitable care. Our Drug Trend Report is designed to help plan sponsors navigate this complexity with confidence. Founded on the strength of our own claims data, the report provides a clear view of emerging trends and the forces affecting drug plan sustainability. Our goal is simple: to equip you with the insights needed to make informed plan decisions so your organization — and your members — are future‑ready.

https://mail.medaviebc.ca/hubfs/2026%20drug%20trend%20report_jul15%20final.pdf

ALL Ontario employers are required by law to have policies and postings in their workplaces BY LAW.  The following article explains the importance of each and which apply to what sized employers.

This is good to use as a checklist to insure that you are compliant with the relevant laws.  Information for other provinces may also be available shortly.

Ontario employers face a complex web of workplace compliance requirements that scale with their workforce size. From mandatory policies and training programs to safety committees and public postings, understanding which obligations apply at each employee threshold is critical for legal compliance and effective risk management.

GET THE LIST

The Alberta government is working on enabling legislation and regulations for Bill 11, which received Royal Assent in late 2025 and has now announced an effective date of October 1, 2026 .

This will affect all employers with employees in the province of Alberta  that are covered by benefit plans.  There are primarily 2 areas that affects how benefits are deliver.

• “Payor of Last Resort”: This changes the provincial “pharamacare” solution (called Non-Group), that many use to protect from high cost drugs.  After October 1st,  the provincial public Non-Group health plan only pays after all private coverage is applied, making employer workplace benefits, and individual insurance plans, the primary payer for drug and some supplemental health claims.
• Elimination of  Benefit Termination of drugs due to age: This change means group benefits plans can not reduce, terminate, or modify prescription drug and supplemental health coverage for active employees simply because they turn 65.

The vast majority of our clients are situated and employed Ontario, but we do not see the provinces your employees live in, so it may be applicable (especially with remote work).

If you have Alberta employees on your benefit plan we may have to make changes to comply with the law .  Please alert us ASAP

https://www.alberta.ca/supporting-a-world-class-health-care-system

Please join us on Saturday, June 20th, for an inspiring afternoon as we share updates on HATN’s initiatives in Mali and The Gambia. We are especially excited to provide an update on the Health Centre in The Gambia. After three challenging years, we are thrilled to say the project is now in its final stages of completion.

This year’s event will also feature live music by Van Mills, a popular local acoustic duo from the Stouffville area. Led by Dave and Van Mills, they perform a great mix of classic and contemporary rock favourites, sure to make for an enjoyable afternoon.

We look forward to welcoming the friends and family of HATN as we come together to celebrate the difference we can make together.

To help our chefs plan the menu, we encourage everyone to purchase tickets early. 

BUY TICKETS HERE

Ontario employers are  required to post many policies in their workplace.  Littler had been good enough in the past to produce a list (and sources) to make it easier for employers to stay compliant.  We have shared that each April or so (see link below) but it has NOT been updated since 2022.

Ontario Requirements for Mandatory Policies, Training, Postings and Information Sheets

HR Compliance Audit