Global News recently reported on Richard Hewitt from Kingston, Ont., who has been living with a gum infection for almost a decade. Due to the difficulty unhoused members of the community face to receive dental work, this infection has cost him all of his teeth. Acting executive director of Our Livable Solutions, Chrystal Wilson, has … Read more
Orillia dentist Louise Hill is one of several visiting parliament Nov. 2 asking MPPs for greater support for a dental care program for less fortunate families. “In Ontario, we have several programs — Healthy Smiles, the Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works and Ontario Seniors’ Dental Care Program,” she said. “All of the government programs are paying at … Read more
Canada’s life and health insurers paid out more benefits to more people than ever before in 2021. Canadians were paid over $113 billion in benefits from life and health insurance products last year – up 17 per cent from 2020 and nearly $10 billion above pre-pandemic levels. This included payments for health insurance claims, life insurance and retirement. View the … Read more
Ontario is committing to offering “portable benefits” for workers, the returning labour minister says, and is mulling next steps for a soon-to-expire sick leave program. In an interview with The Canadian Press on Thursday, Monte McNaughton discussed labour plans for the recently re-elected Progressive Conservative government, including next steps for the proposed benefits package for … Read more
The results of a new survey indicate Canadians are generally content with the health benefit plans they have access to, and find them beneficial in addressing cost-of-living issues. According to a public opinion study conducted by Abacus Data for the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA), 86% to 88% of individuals who have access … Read more
Lower-income workers across Ontario have lower rates of employer-provided dental insurance, according to a new report by the Toronto Foundation. In addition, the community foundation found the problem is more pronounced in Toronto. For example, 53 per cent of employees earning under $20,000 annually have workplace dental insurance in the rest of Ontario, while the same … Read more
Ontario intends to develop a “portable benefits” system for workers who don’t have health, dental or vision coverage, with the package intended to move with the individuals if they change jobs. The concept was recommended in a recent report from an expert committee tasked by the government with addressing labour disruptions from the pandemic. It’s … Read more
Employer-provided medical benefit costs in Canada are forecasted to rise 7.0 percent in 2022, outpacing general inflation by 5.0 percent, according to the 2022 Global Medical Trend Rates Report released today by Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm. The increase for Canadian employer-sponsored medical plan costs expected next year is due to a combination of higher costs … Read more
Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF), through its U.S. business, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DentaQuest, for US$2.475 billion (approximately C$3.1 billion). Headquartered in Boston and founded in 2001, DentaQuest is the largest provider of Medicaid dental benefits in the U.S. with growing Medicare Advantage, commercial and U.S. Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange businesses. Currently DentaQuest … Read more
The newly elected Yukon government has tabled a revised 2021-22 budget after the Liberals squeaked into office in last month’s election. Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver says capital spending remains the same at $434 million, while the deficit is down from $12.7 million to $6.6 million and the debt also falls to $175.4 million. … Read more
Today’s national employment numbers indicate that 2 million more Canadians are unemployed and seeking work as of April. The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is calling on employers to maintain workplace-sponsored health and dental benefits so that Canadians can continue receiving the services and treatments they need for good oral and overall health. “In Canada, … Read more
An office manager laid off from her position at a Calgary restoration company in January says dental work is a luxury she just can’t afford. “Taking my daughter to the dentist is definitely delayed, as well as myself. Without benefits, it’s pretty expensive to get her in for a routine checkup,” Jenny Harker told the Calgary Eyeopener. … Read more
Hundreds of thousands of people are not taking advantage of a State benefit scheme offering free or discounted dental, optical and hearing care, new figures show. Some 2.5 million people pay PRSI, which entitles them to services such as a free dental check-up once a year. However, more than two-thirds of those who qualify did … Read more
More than 70,000 Mainers would gain coverage under the proposal. The Maine Legislature failed to approve about $6.5 million in state tax funds to establish an adult Medicaid dental benefit, but advocates said they will try again in January, and lawmakers have created a “working group” to study the plan. Dr. Jonathan Shenkin, past president … Read more
After eight years of oral infections, abscesses and unbearable pain, Greg Madore was moments from undergoing a dental procedure that would change his life, before finding out his nightmare was far from over. “I was in the waiting room getting all the stuff done and the woman came and asked me, ‘Who do you have … Read more
A report in the February issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) shows that dental benefits play a significant role in meeting the dental needs of children, including checkups and treatments. The study is particularly timely as February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The report finds U.S. children enrolled in private … Read more
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that he will not enact a tax on health and dental benefits, after days of refusing to rule out the option. “We are committed to protecting the middle class from increased taxes and that is why we will not be raising [those] taxes,” he said during question period. Earlier … Read more
A coalition of health care service providers, including the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association has warned of the potential negative implications of taxing the premiums paid on employer-provided health and dental benefits. These benefits provide preventative care in services such as mental health, vision care, hearing and speech-language services, occupational therapy, prescription drug, dental care and … Read more