2013 issues

We want to keep you informed! Focus Update provides plan sponsors with important group benefits information. Look here for industry updates, legislative changes, product launches, plan amendments and other relevant news.

Current Issues

392 Upgrades to mysunlife.ca!
391 Keep your records up-to-date regarding plan members and their eligible dependents

Past Issues

390 Update on pharmaceutical programs
389 Sun Life extends a warm welcome to Sophie Ouellet in her new role as Regional Vice-President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region, Group Benefits
Special Edition Effective date of change to Alberta massage therapy claims process now September 1, 2013
386 Reminder: Alberta massage therapy claims process changes on May 1, 2013
385 Acupuncture practice in Ontario
384 Acupuncture practice in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador
383 Group benefits GST/HST update for British Columbia and Prince Edward Island
380 Sun Life’s New Short-Term Disability Claim Assessment Summary
379 Highlights of the legislative and industry updates in 2012
377 Provincial dental fee increases for 2013
Special edition Reminder: Sun Life’s prior authorization program is coming to your group benefits plan on March 1, 2013
376 New mental health workplace standard from the Mental Health Commission of Canada
375 Service provider e-claims submission continue to gain popularity
374 Employer contributions to a group sickness or accident insurance plan are a taxable benefit to employees
373 Increase in EI maximum insurable earnings affects STD plans

2012 Issues

371 Quebec premium tax change and Quebec Sales Tax (QST) harmonizing with GST effective January 1, 2013
370 Lower generic drug prices in BC could mean savings for plan sponsors
369 We’ve listened to plan members!
Special Edition Contract Amendment - Sun Life’s prior authorization program to be applied to your Pay-Direct Drug (PDD) group benefits plan
367 Sun Life RightDirections EAP  - new videos show benefits of this great program
366 Update on massage therapy claims in Alberta
365 “Get in the game” – see the November issue of Benefits Canada
363 Update on the Federal Budget: Employer contributions to group accident and sickness insurance plans become taxable benefits to employees
362 Manitoba RST to apply on certain group insurance premiums
360 Sun Life Pharma in the news and check out the September issue of Benefits Canada
358 Alberta announces a new regulation under the Health Professions Act establishing the College of Naturopathic Doctors
357 Your plan members get more claims options!
355 Changes to pharmaceutical coverages
354 New dental fee finder for Sun Life Financial plan members in Alberta
352 Coming soon: Plan member satisfaction survey
350 Announcing a new standard for group benefit plan members to receive their money faster
348 Quebec drug plan amendments will have minimal impact on plan sponsors
346 Your plan members will soon have more claims options!
345 Manitoba Retail Sales Tax (RST) on insurance premiums - now effective July 15, 2012
344 Non-therapeutic massage clinics in Quebec
343 Suspected fraud identified – Brampton medical clinic
342 Global2Go – we have your expatriate employees covered!
Special Edition - Get ready for a new kind of EAP – Sun Life RightDirections
341 Employers could see savings with launch of generic Crestor
339 Highlights of the federal, provincial and territorial budgets for 2012
338 New Research from the Sun Life Wellness Institute
337 Don’t miss next month’s Benefits Canada & Avantages
336 Contract changes to reflect legislative amendments – effective July 1, 2012
335 Sun Life Financial wins Reader’s Digest Trusted BrandTM Award for third year running!
334 Mobile apps - the evolution continues
333 CLHIA launches drug pooling agreement
332 Minimal impact expected to private drug plans following switch from OxyContin to OxyNEO
331 News from the Sun Life Wellness Institute
330 Important: E-claims for coordination of benefits and health spending accounts are here!
329 Highlights of the legislative and industry updates in 2011
328 Reminder: Do your members have access to their current claim forms?
327 Sun Life Financial again named as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World
326 Provincial dental fee increases for 2012
325 Accessing your Sun Life reports will now be even easier