Canadian Health and Wellness Innovations Conference

Latest Trends and Legislation in Benefits

Get the most up-to-date information on the hottest topics of the day for benefit plan sponsors and trustees, including:

• Pharmacare landscape
• National Dental Plan
• Weight-loss drug pipeline and the move to reclassify these therapies
• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

Innovative Health Care Access—Leveraging Global Options

Wondering how best to support members on wait lists to access provincial health care resources in your area? Please join us for an informative panel discussion on:

• How to leverage global options to get your plan members the right care at the right time
• Maintaining a seamless and ethical integration of global health care options without displacing local services
• Case studies highlighting innovative financing and the use of technology to swiftly connect patients with necessary medical treatments domestically and abroad.

Leveraging AI in Claims Adjudication—Transforming Benefits and Pension Administration

As technology continues to advance, this presentation will delve into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of claims adjudication. In addition to considering the governance surrounding the use of AI, this session will focus on:

• Benefits of AI integration for administrators
• Impacts of AI on pension and benefit plans
• Leveraging AI models effectively.

Practical Tools for Wellness Program Implementation

With the ever-evolving complexities facing Canadians and lack of resources available in the public health care system, organizations must prioritize health promotion, functional medicine and longevity in employee health and wellness programs. We will discuss:

• Real-life examples of wellness programs, implementation challenges, ongoing evaluations/ adjustments and ideas to make your program more successful
• How to leverage data from specific areas within your organization to properly assist you in creating and improving physical, mental and financial wellness
• A transformative shift toward a systematic approach to employee wellness that puts health at the forefront.

Mindfulness Break

CUPE EWBT’s Journey—A Member-Centric Benefits Experience

The CUPE Education Workers’ Benefits Trust (CUPE EWBT) provides comprehensive and sustainable benefits to over 100,000 Ontario members and dependents. In this case study:

• Discover how they identified gaps, strengths and goals to redesign their brand, website and benefit communications
• Learn about the challenges, steps and considerations involved in creating a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate site that engages their unique members
• Hear early feedback from their members as well as ideas to enhance your own communication strategy.

“Generals in Tents”

Join this guided conversation as Christina Fuda interviews life partners Tazz and Lala on what it’s like for a family member to navigate Tazzy’s mental health challenges (bi-polar, social anxiety, ADD, OCD, suicidal ideation) and what it’s like for her to live on the rollercoaster that can be him. Bring your questions.

From Addiction to Advocacy

Addressing substance use in the workplace is daunting for most leaders. They often lack the skills, knowledge and tools to engage in these courageous conversations and take actions that can save lives. This session is designed to:

• Empower leaders with strategies to take concrete actions and confidently transform their workforce
• Explore the key components of recovery-friendly workplace training programs
• Promote a culture of inclusion and support for employees affected by substance use disorder.

Building Mentally Healthier Teams—Enhancing Psychological Safety in Our Workplaces

This presentation will:

• Address the benefits of psychological safety, including improved team performance, increased innovation, reduced turnover, and enhanced overall team morale and well-being
• Apply interactive scenarios to foster safe and supportive conversations within your team
• Detail how national standards can help create psychologically safer industries, including the construction trades.

The Ecosystem of Benefits Required to Support Mental Health and Addiction

Plan member mental health and addiction issues are diverse and complex. Addressing the current mental health and addiction crisis requires a diverse ecosystem of evidence-based benefit plans. This session will:

• Evaluate how the public system, and the Canada Health Act, may or may not support your members
• Estimate the costs required for keeping people healthy and at work, while supporting those on disability in recovery and return to work
• Detail how to create the optimal benefit plan for individualized treatment along a spectrum of needs.

Movement Exercise

Disaster Recovery/Critical Incident Response

A workplace death, a drastic downsizing, an environmental tragedy—Are you prepared to respond appropriately to a workplace disaster or critical incident? This presentation will address the psychological challenges organizations face in disaster recovery, with concrete strategies and tactics to help you help others. A comprehensive plan:

• Addresses the stages of critical incident response
• Shows an understanding of how employees may respond
• Identifies how an employee assistance program can help during and after the crisis
• Presents strategies for building resilience and responsiveness.

Learnings From Two Cancer Patients—Chronic Illness and Mental Health, and Implications for Workplaces

Two workplace health and benefits practitioners will discuss their cancer diagnoses, how they coped, their work in cancer and chronic illness, and recommendations to improve member health. You will learn:

• The impact of cancer and chronic illness on organizational outcomes, including their connection to mental health
• How their cancer diagnoses impacted their overall well-being and work lives
• Practical solutions to improve members’ ability to manage their health issues and strengthen their resilience.

Barriers and Paths to Financial Wellness

Providing financial security is a goal we share for all our members. This session will highlight:

• Challenges in getting people to engage and pay attention to communication and education
• Risks of not providing support and the impact on the psychology of your members
• Regional differences in pension legislation and cost of living, and the impact on financial wellness
• Case studies, including decumulation and workers in different industries.

Exploring the Future of Disability Benefits

Disability benefits play a crucial role in protecting the financial security of people across all industries. We will take a practical look at both short- and long-term coverage, including:

• Opportunities and challenges
• Rising mental health claims
• Role of age distinctions, changing interest rates and legislation.