Canadian EB COVID-19 Resources
Internal use only. Please refrain from sharing this page outside of the organization.
Due to the dynamic nature of this pandemic, we will be continuously updating this page with resources pertaining to Canadian Employee Benefits operations as they relate to COVID-19.
We have created the email address [email protected] to directly email your questions to. You can also use the submission form at the Internal Canadian Employee Benefits Resource Centre located at the link below. Please take a moment and think about everything you need to submit in terms of questions, acquired information, or initiatives you are already working on, or anything you are working on and sent it to the COVID-19 email.
UPDATE (4/16/2020): New COVID-19 Solutions Quick Reference Guide.
Click each section for more information.
The below FAQ document houses carrier responses and positions that have been compiled as of April 28th. For any blank questions we are currently awaiting responses. The document will be updated as responses are received, please continue to check this portal for updated information.
Consolidated Premium Credits by Carrier - Updated 7/07
Premium Reduction Sheet by Carrier - Updated 5/08
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Fees by Carrier - Updated 7/16
Virtual Care: How can it help?
Our virtual care and navigation model is well-suited to play a critical role in helping our customers and our community deal with the current health care crisis we are facing in Canada and globally. Disasters and pandemics pose unique challenges to the delivery of health care services. Though virtual health care will not solve them all, it is well-suited for scenarios like we are facing with COVID-19, which can alleviate the strain on the community infrastructure and services by making clinicians available to see patients, virtually, anytime anywhere.
A central strategy for the potential COVID-19 health care surge is a control mechanism called, “forward triage” — the sorting of patients before they arrive in the hospital emergency centers. Virtual health care services is a critical approach to forward triage that allows patients to be efficiently screened, is both patient-centered and conducive to self-quarantine, and it protects patients, clinicians, and the community from exposure. It can allow physicians and patients to communicate 24/7, using smartphones or webcam-enabled computers.
Respiratory symptoms, which may be early signs of COVID-19, are among the conditions most commonly evaluated with this approach. The intake triage protocols built into the new HUB Care model with EQ Care, can easily obtain detailed travel and exposure histories, and we have built screening algorithms into the intake process and can work with EQ Care to pull local epidemiologic information to help us standardize screening and practice patterns.
HUB Care Management: Integration with best in class health solutions
HUB’s new care management and navigation platform is designed to support our clients and their employees with a list of pre-qualified best of breed healthcare providers who have a proven record of exemplary health care service delivery. Our intake process includes the assistance of a professional care managers who will provide the right pathway to one of HUB’s network providers. In addition, the care manager will always stay connected with the patient’s during their healthcare journey to ensure the services achieved the healthcare outcomes required.
Technology Aided Care Management/Navigation
Human resource professionals are in general agreement that it makes good business sense to develop and implement programs that promote and support a healthy workplace. However, in spite of such good intentions, there is a continued struggle to improve the well-being and productivity in the workplace. As the modern workplace evolves and with technology providing a new way of delivering health care, the industry has seen chatbots and robots replace the human touch. In addition, patients are often left to their own instincts and media persuasions to navigate an ever changing and complex health care system in Canada. At HUB, we put people first and our priority is to treat all patients with ‘human interaction,’ and provide empathetic care and white glove personal service. We ‘never turn a patient away’ and we will help them navigate the best treatment options and services that are fast and convenient for the health care they need and deserve. We call our Care Management and Navigation Service: ‘HUB Care’ and it is powered by EQ Care, an award-winning virtual health care provider who was the first to introduce the service to Canadians.
Patient journey-focused care model:
At HUB, we are creating a holistic approach to health care services with a strong focus on prevention, care navigation and patient outcomes. Most other industry solutions simply layer on programs to a growing list of company sponsored medical services, with no rhyme or reason of how they fit together. We avoid the shortcomings and go beyond. We recognize the importance of the inextricable link between well-being and performance at work. We believe in a comprehensive program that addresses the complex issues facing employees and one that spans the entire health care continuum. Addressing lifestyle-related health and injury risks, acute illness, chronic physical and mental health conditions, stress and disability is paramount to improved work performance. As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is the foundational theme of our new model of well-being and productivity.
Useful Documents:
Competitive Fact Sheet
Onboarding and Implementation Strategy for Hub International
Product Implementation Strategy for Hub International
Pandemic Program Overview (FR)
GLC Insights - It pays to stay invested
The Value of Staying in the Market
iA Plan Member Communication - March 18
iA Plan Member Communication - March 19
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your savings plan: What can you do about it?
COVID-19: What we are doing, and some perspective (Sunlife)
Investing During Market Volatility
Investing During Market Volatility (FR)
Thinking Ahead: Retirement Plan Options to Consider During COVID-19 Outbreak
Thinking Ahead: Retirement Plan Options to Consider During COVID-19 Outbreak (FR)
With misinformation on COVID-19 spreading, the HUB Communications & Design (C&D) team has put together a DIY toolkit of employee communications to share with your clients. These communications are based on guidelines from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). The toolkit is available at no cost and accessible through the below links.
HUB SUMMARY - Government Benefits and Financial Support
HUB SUMMARY - Government Benefits and Financial Support (PDF, FR)
HUB SUMMARY - Government Benefits and Financial Support (DOC, FR)
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
COVID-19 BC Support App and Self-Assessment Tool
Federal Tax Response to COVID-19
Public Health Agency of Canada
BC Ministry of Health resource page
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Federal Government Travel Advice and Advisories
How to Stay Emotionally Healthy During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Insurance Carrier Information
Advance Bulletin - April 28th 2020
Advance Bulletin - May 20th 2020
Live webinars – “Market Fluctuations”
- March 19 (English and French)
- March 24 (English)
- March 26 (French)
- March 31 (English)