November 10, 2022

Insurance Facts Report | Mental Health Support | Group Benefits Sales Contest Winner |Sales Team Announcement | In Your Community

Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Insurance 2022 Facts Report

The importance of supplementary health care coverage.

According to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association 2022 Insurance Facts Report, Canada's health insurers provided supplementary health care coverage protection to more than 27 million Canadians in 2021 and paid a record $30.4 billion in claims for health, drugs, and dental care - a 14% increase from 2020, and a 6% increase over 2019.

Supplementary health care benefits, which includes benefits for prescription drugs, vision care, dental care, and practitioner and mental health supports accounted for almost three-quarters of all health benefits paid, well above the $8.8 billion paid for disability income replacement and the $1.6 billion paid for other accidental or critical illness coverage.

Insurers paid out $580 million for mental health supports in 2021 - up 45% from 2020, and 75% since 2019.

The 2021 statistics above show how important supplementary health care can be, especially for mental health. Employers can assist their employees who need mental health support by enhancing their Group Benefits Plan by:

• Introducing an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) like Homewood Pathfinder featuring an enhanced, future forward experience with tools that align an employee’s presenting issue, intensity and preference, offering the right service at the right time.  

• Offering Virtual Care, like Online Doctors by Maple to keep employees healthy, engaged, and at work. 

• Reviewing your paramedical coverage and benefit limits to promote health and wellbeing. 

Providing frequent communication to employees ensures they are aware of the programs and benefits that are in place for them. The Saskatchewan Blue Cross website offers additional resources to build their knowledge around health literacy and also offers information on various wellness topics on our blog.

If you would like to learn more about any of these options and how to discuss this with clients, contact your Account Executive today! 

Thank you to everyone who entered our Group Benefits Sales Contest!

Saskatchewan Blue Cross values your business and the communities we serve and support. We are very excited to announce the winner who will be receiving six tickets to watch the Grey Cup game live at Mosaic Stadium on November 20, 2022. Congratulations goes to:

Don Bristow at BMA

Welcome our New AVP, Sales

Kenzie Bergeron

Kenzie Bergeron, AVP, Sales, brings a wealth of leadership experience from the insurance, financial services and technology/start-up industries. Like Saskatchewan Blue Cross, she’s passionate about providing member and client value, making a positive impact on the local economy and delivering community impact through business that advances whole health and health literacy.

Kenzie has a track record of driving growth and fostering strong relationships through a diverse career spent within carriers, brokers, TPAs and client-side HR functions. Her industry expertise is complimented by successful leadership roles in tech start-ups, venture capital investments and community commitments.

Saskatchewan Blue Cross was proud to be a sponsor for the Federation of Sovereign of Indigenous Nations (FSIN) annual Cultural Celebration and Pow Wow. Back for its 27th year, the weekend started by honouring children with a youth Pow Wow featuring hundreds of youth dancers, singers and drummers. Other events took place including the crowning of the new Miss FSIN! Saskatchewan Blue Cross is honoured to be part of such an inspiring event fostering unity, trust and understanding.

Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Radiothon

Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Radiothon is Saskatchewan’s largest annual maternal and pediatric fundraiser. Saskatchewan Blue cross is thrilled to support this annual, province-wide event that not only raises funds for urgent needs but raises the spirits of our entire community.

Each year, the inspirational broadcast provides a glimpse into life within the walls of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, featuring stories from Saskatchewan children, families and medical staff. Saskatchewan Blue Cross will be matching all donations made during our power hour!

Email to Plan Administrators

Here's your opportunity to review the information that Plan Administrators will receive from Saskatchewan Blue Cross in the afternoon on Thursday November 10, 2022.