June 2021 CGIB News

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Dear Subscriber,

Happy June. The world seems a bit brighter today. It may be due to the fact that my boat is in the water (can you say freedom?), or it may be the rapidly declining case count we are seeing here in Ontario, or maybe it's the fact that the vaccines are getting out faster than anticipated, but I do think things are looking up. Fingers crossed for our fall functions.

You're going to see some ongoing changes as we transition from CVENT to Glue Up both in the event bookings and in locating the videos and documents.

The MemberZone will be ONLY used to get old CE credit certificates. Everything else will now be accessed by visiting www.cgib.ca and logging in on the top right corner where it says Login.

YOUR most important job is to ensure that you get your profile set up by following the e-mail link that was sent to you (thanks if you already did). Your profile will be made public (in the members directory) so that employers looking for advisors can find you. As a result, having your LinkedIn profile, photo etc. up to date and correct is VERY important.

Once you are logged in to the CGIB site, you will see a new menu drop down called Members Only. Under this tab you will find all the documents you were looking for, videos. slack and HR resources.

Please be patient and let us know of any problems you may encounter.

As always, if you have questions, just reach out.

Dave
 
OUR EVENTS

CGIB COFFEE CHATS

Coffee chats are like a virtual breakfast. Log in and talk about what's on your mind.  Best done from a computer, with a camera and a microphone. No CE credits, but also no cost, just show up.

Tuesday June 8th @ 2pm (EST) - notice the 2pm start time
Tuesday June 22nd @ 2pm (EST) - notice the 2pm start time & new date


CGIB WEBINARS

Tracking benefit plan renewals. Chris P, Alex F and Dave P will share their experiences tracking their renewals. it's shockingly easy and a great tool to use with insurers and share with clients.

Monday June 7th @ 2pm (EST)

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Upcoming CGIB Events:

Due to COVID-19 we are holding off launching or re-opening events until closer to the date.  

We are holding the dates of Wednesday October 6th, and November 3rd for possible IN-PERSON Toronto seminar dates. Calgary & Vancouver to follow when it's safe to do so.

Watch for details.
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The National Group Benefits Meeting (NGBM) is pleased to bring you a webinar on June 3rd 2021 from 12:00 PM (EST) - 1:30 PM (EST) focused on Managed IT and Cyber Security.
 
Here's what you'll learn:

What is managed IT and why do you need it?
Keeping your data on your computer, moving to “the cloud”, or using both. The options are simple to manage. Which one is best for you?
Best security practices including why you need two-step authentication
Cyber Insurance, what does it cover, and why do you need it?
After a breach, how to restore your systems and reputation

ProServeIT will walk you through the above. They are Gold Microsoft partners with multiple Office 365 certifications. They are a national firm with individuals from Vancouver to PEI. This event will have a maximum capacity of 250 people, so be sure to sign up early to make sure you do not miss out!

Register Now
 
GET ON SLACK

The CGIB SLACK channel is a great place to pose questions, share info and learn a ton from your fellow members. 
 
The info and discussions that are posted there are unlike anywhere in the industry. Sadly, about 25% of CGIB members are still missing out on all the info being shared. Others have not taken a look at all the documents, videos and information available in MEMBERS ONLY to make their life easier. 


NOTE TO ALL SLACK USERS: We now have 40+ channels in Slack to handle different topics. Please take a moment to add these channels to your menu. To do so, just click on the + next to Channels on the top left.  
Browse the channels and then click JOIN to add each of them. By doing so you won’t be missing some really great info.
 
SUGGESTED READING

We think the information contained below is of great value and encourage you to read the articles and check out the events that interest you.  In most cases, these articles and events are not run by CGIB, so please contact the organizers for more information. We take no responsibility for the websites, events, organizations or their content.










TOP DRUG COST POSTS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH
The top three drug categories by eligible cost ‒ for inflammatory disease, diabetes, and skin disorders ‒ saw strong growth in 2020. In fact, two posted double-digit growth rates, fuelled by newer, higher-cost products that may represent more effective treatment options for some patients, says a Telus Health ‘Benefits Hub.’ These were among the findings presented by Vishal Ravikanti, director, operations, at TELUS Health, during the ‘Trends in Medication Management; session at its 2021 annual conference. The number one category, for inflammatory disease, is dominated by biologic drugs and eligible costs grew by 6.6 per cent. On the plus side for private plans, uptake of Inflectra, a lower-cost biosimilar option for Remicade (Canada’s top drug product by eligible costs), accelerated by 37.7 per cent. The average annual cost per claimant for Inflectra is $14,689, less than half that of Remicade ($34,857). The diabetes category grew by 10.9 per cent in eligible costs. Two products drove this trajectory: Freestyle Libre, a next-generation blood sugar monitor, saw eligible costs increase by 44.7 per cent and Ozempic, a second-line therapy for type 2 diabetes, skyrocketed by 104.2 per cent in 2020. Medications for skin disorders climbed by 13.1 per cent, led by strong double-digit growth rates for several biologic drugs. As well, the top 10 most costly drugs, used by just 104 claimants in 2020, accounted for $47.3 million in eligible costs. All of them exceeded $280,000 in the average annual cost for claimant. “Five years ago, the top five most expensive drugs started at $250,000 per year. Today the top 10 start at $280,000,” said Ravikanti.

GENERIC SUBSTITUTION DEFINITIONS VARY
Today, amongst private plans, between 80 and 90 per cent of private plans have some sort of generic component within their drug plan design, says Joanne Jung, pharmacy practice leader at Willis Towers Watson. However, “when you dig into it, it’s not as simple as it seems” because there’s different terminology for generic substitution, she said at the ‘CPBI National Bridging the Gap ‒ Increasing private sector drug benefit plan sustainability’ session. Different insurers have different names associated with a type of generic pricing they apply in their plans. So mandatory generic might mean something else with another insurer. This makes it really important to understand the type of generic plan offered because that can impact the degree of generic utilization. A very rigorous strict plan, she said, would simply only cover generics. If a member fills a prescription for a brand drug that has a generic equivalent, there would be no coverage for that drug. However, this is not very common at all, she said. What’s most common in Canada are enhanced generic plans. Unless a doctor says no substitution is allowed, the pharmacy can substitute a generic. And the plan member will not be reimbursed for the cost of the brand drug unless there are medical reasons to do so. Finally, there’s the simple or voluntary generic. This is a plan where if the doctor writes no substitution on the prescription, the pharmacists can override that. So as sponsors move through these versions of generic substitution, there’s less savings and lower generic utilization. Jim Keon, president of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA), said since 2007, PMPRB (Patented Medicine Prices Review Board) studies show the price of generic medicines in Canada had fallen by 60 per cent and some of the top selling generics have seen their prices drop by over 80 per cent. Its last report in 2018 revealed generic prices were five per cent below the average of the countries that it compares with Canada. And while costs have gone up during the pandemic, the price of generic medicines has not changed whatsoever, he said. Currently, 73 per cent of prescriptions are filled with generic medicines, yet the dollar cost are less than 20 per cent of all costs. This means about three quarters of all prescriptions are filled with generics for less than 20 per cent of the costs.
 
SETH GODIN'S BLOG -  Starting and finishing

Sometimes the rule is:

You don’t have to finish, but you do have to start.

And sometimes the rule is:

You don’t have to start, but if you do, you have to finish.

When building a personal habit, it might make sense to embrace the first rule. You don’t have to run all the way, every day, but you do have to get out of the house and start running.

And when making promises to a group where trust matters, the second rule definitely applies.

My Take on Seths Post

I think this is really...



Code words That’s all language is.

“Banana” is not a fruit. It’s a word that we use in English to identify a fruit.
And code words work beautifully as long as the person you’re seeking to communicate with understands the word the way you think they do.
Often, when people with goodwill and shared values end up disagreeing, it’s because they didn’t understand the code words that were being used.
In fact, it might be the only reason.

My Take on Seths Post

I think this is really...


This is very different from “someday.”
Choose any date you like, as far in the future as you like. But a date, circled on the calendar.
By that date, what will you have implemented? What will be in place? Where will you be, what will you be doing?
Way more powerful than someday.

My Take on Seths Post

I think this is really...
 
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

ONLINE CE CREDITS

Looking for benefits dedicated online CE courses? Want to provide your admin and support staff with basic knowledge? Want to dig into something more detailed for your benefits/insurance business?
 
Business Career College (BCC) has an extensive catalogue of online CE courses with a number of group benefits specific courses covering topics ranging from contractual concerns, plan designs, and underwriting requirements, to product specifics and integration with government benefits. Courses consist of narrated videos with short, online quizzes.
 
The full catalogue includes over 60 courses, podcasts, and videos covering topics from the world of insurance, investments, financial planning, taxation, and ethics with a focus on technical content and real-world application. Courses are accredited for the maximum categories of credits and can include provincial Life and A&S credits, FP Canada, Advocis, and more!
 
Use code CGIB on registration for your first three months free! 
 
Here's somewhere you can help others, and help yourself at the same time...

New Zoomcast Series! Share Your Ideas.

We're excited to launch an advisor Zoomcast Series which I'll be hosting in the coming weeks. Sessions will be comprised of laser-focused topics and guest speakers. The format will be 20 minutes of expert presentation followed by 30 minutes or so of lively discussion.

"It's not about being the smartest person in the room. It's about being in a room where everybody is getting smarter"

We are hoping to include a wide range of business topics that will advance your benefits practice (e.g. how to use social media to promote your benefits brand). 

We're still compiling the list of topics and would love your input.
Give Us Ideas!  


Thank you in advance for your rapid response and I look forward to sharing the complete schedule and registration details with you soon.

Robert J. Crowder CLU, GBA
President
The Benefits Trust
 

GROUP FOCUSSED EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

'Digital Health Transformation in Private Payer Plans – Trends, Access, and an ALS Patient's Perspective'

Mapol Inc. invites you to attend a complimentary webinar sponsored by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time.

The Speakers are:

Norman MacIsaac
Author, Public Speaker, ALS Ambassador, and Member of the Board of Directors of ALS Quebec

Luc Vilandré
Consultant, Health Tech Executive, Member of the Board of Directors of ALS Quebec, and Co-Founder of the Ride to Fight ALS

The Learning Objectives are to:
Share the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patient perspective in navigating the Canadian healthcare system.
Provide an overview of the trends in private payer reimbursement for Innovative Drugs for Rare Diseases.
Increase awareness of how digital health transformation is changing health claims processes in the private payer market that impacts the ALS patient journey.
Illustrate how claims and health systems can help ALS patients access medications more effectively and seamlessly.

Please follow the below steps to register:
Click the registration link.
Click "Register" (grey button towards the bottom center of the page).
On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit".
Closer to the webinar date, you will receive the sign in details via email.
An application for 1 CE credit will be submitted to the Institute for Advanced Financial Education. Individual CE applications are not submitted to any other regulatory body (i.e. AIC, ICM, CSF, IIROC, etc.).
Please note, this complimentary webinar is limited to invited guests including insurers, PBMs, TPAs, benefits consultants, and employers.

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Pharmacists are accessible, essential care providers for employees with chronic conditions. Their role and knowledge within diabetes patient care has been demonstrated to improve health outcomes, prevent complications and reduce costs. In addition to educating patients on lifestyle, risk factors, medication and insulin management, pharmacists are counselling patients on glucose monitoring with individualized action plans.  
  
Join us and Dexcom for a webinar on June 9 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST to hear Rick Siemens, certified diabetes educator pharmacist and Samir Mistry, vice-president of pharmacy for PreferredOne, discuss how current and future roles of the pharmacist, enabled by health technology and private health plan benefits design, can improve diabetes management outcomes  
    
Samir Mistry, Pharm.D., vice-president, pharmacy, PreferredOne_  _Rick Siemens, certified diabetes educator pharmacist_       
FREE EVENT   REGISTER NOW 
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Quebec Drug Programs (RAMQ)
Join us on June 9th, 2021 at 11am EST for our 4th webinar in our eLearning series featuring Quebec Drug Programs (RAMQ).

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Thursday, June 10, 2021   1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EDT

Join us to hear thought leaders from Express Scripts Canada and Canada Life address important subject matters that are top of mind for employees and employers.

Following the speaker presentations, we will have a panel discussion live with the presenters addressing audience questions.

SPEAKER SESSIONS

Prescription Drug Trends and Mental Health Claims: Stem the Tide

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our daily lives in a very short period of time, leaving a monumental mark on the world’s health and economy. It has changed the way we work, the way we access healthcare services and the way we connect with each other. It has also taken a toll on the mental and emotional wellbeing of our population; therefore, it is no surprise that the impact of COVID-19 on prescription drug claims has also been significant. 

During this session, Dr. Lo will provide insight into mental health prescription drug trends and outline solutions that could help stem the tide of the growing mental health challenge by improving the care we provide to plan members living with mental health conditions.

What you need to know about what’s changing in drug plans

In this session, attendees can expect to take away key insights on:

•  Drug expenditure trends in group insurance plans and how market dynamics impact the drug plan bottom line.

•  Biosimilar drugs: What they are and how they work – insight into strategies that allow biosimilars to help manage drug plan spending in group insurance plans

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Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EDT

As we collectively move towards establishing the new normal, it will be difficult for some to shake the stress brought on by the pandemic. After over a year of working in virtual or adapted work environments, 52% of Canadian employers feel that burnout is a top well-being issue in their organization as reported in Aon’s 2021 Global Wellbeing Survey.

Canadian workers are now facing a mental health crisis related to pandemic fatigue, increasing workloads and loss of the boundary between work and life. As a result, the risk of burnout has never been higher, creating an urgent need to address it at the organizational level. 

This session led by Roee Ben-Eli, Mental Health Program Manager will provide useful tips for detecting and responding to burnout within yourself and your colleagues. He will be joined by Mary-Lou MacDonald, National Practice Lead, Health & Performance for HUB Health International to discuss how to address the shifting culture of work, changing employee needs and demands, and the link between mental and physical health, in a conversation grounded in today’s reality.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Need help? Have questions? Looking for something?

Reach out to CGIB - Dave Patriarche - dave@cgib.ca - 905-886-9203

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