Canadian Dispensing Fees

In Ontario the dispensing fees you pay the pharmacist are posted for you to see, and you may have noticed that those fees are not the same everywhere.

Here are some of the costs that pharmacies use to determine the dispensing fee:

• Supplier costs.
• Providing drug counseling.
• Providing information to physicians and suppliers.
• Record keeping.
• Stocking of prescription drugs.

Some expenses are not directly prescription drug related but are business expenses, which are also taken into account when calculating and setting the dispensing fees. For example, the rent paid for the office spaces, the salaries of employees, etc.

So what options are open to the consumer? Shop around! Even within such major chains as Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall Drugs, dispensing fees still vary. In Ontario the dispensing fees can range from $2.00 to $15.00 or more.

For persons with high and frequent use of prescription drugs there is also the option of using mail order pharmacies, who generally have lower fees.

There are also health plans out there that will pay reasonable and customary dispensing fees in full. An example of this is Manulife's Flexcare ComboPlus (Enhanced) plan.
 

Child Obesity and Health

Recent Canadian surveys are showing an alarming rate in the increase in child obesity. It has been estimated that over 500,000 Canadian children are obese or grossly overweight. Although medical factors can be to blame, lifestyle choices are also a common cause. Children are now spending more time playing video games and on the computer rather than participating in physical activities. As well, with time demands and financial concerns, nutrition seems to sometimes fall by the wayside.

The impact of child obesity can be a life-long obstacle that your child will be forced to overcome. Obese children tend to develop into obese adults. The health risks associated with obesity are alarming; these children are high-risk candidates for early disability, as well as premature deaths. Obesity also contributes to a decreased quality of life, as health issues may prevent the individual from pursuing their goals.

Childhood obesity can also affect your child's future insurance rates. As health status determines your health insurance, as well as life insurance rates, your child's health is important. Weight related health issues could potentially affect your premiums as much as smoking does. It is important to remember that while your Provincial healthcare assumes most health-care costs, they do NOT cover all costs.

For more information on childhood obesity, visit the Childhood Obesity Network at http://www.obesitynetwork.ca.

It is important for Canadians to be aware of their health, and to take positive steps in ensuring that the next generation of Canadians have the tools necessary to be as healthy and successful as we hope for them to be.
   

Severe Illness and Insurance

Critical Illness insurance is designed to alleviate financial stress when a person becomes severely ill and unable to continue working. Recuperating from a critical illness is stressful enough, without having to worry about paying the bills.

Canadian citizens should be cognizant of the fact that government health plans and employee benefit plans are limited. These plans only cover medical and hospital care. Disability insurance, while also an important plan, only pays a monthly benefit when a person is unable to work. Critical Illness insurance differs in that it pays out a lump sum even if you are able to go back to work. For most critical illness benefits, you must survive your illness for a set period of time (usually 30 days) in order to receive benefits.

Your critical illness benefits are flexible in what you choose to spend the money on. During your time of need, you will receive a lump sum of money in order to spend as you see fit. With critical illness benefits, you no longer have to worry about paying the mortgage, credit cards, and monthly household expenses. You can budget for how long you will be unable to work, and spend your money accordingly.

Critical Illness insurance often covers the following conditions (this depends on the carrier and plan):

• Cancer.
• Heart Attack.
• Stroke.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Kidney Failure.
• Major Organ Transplant.
• Dismemberment.
• Blindness.
• Deafness.
• Loss Of Speech.
• Major Burns.
• HIV.
• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Parkinson’s Disease.

However, there are two important points to note about "traditional" Critical Illness insurance:

1. It is only available to healthy Canadians, who do not have a family history of any of the listed illnesses. For a "virtual" guaranteed issue product see below.
    
2. CI insurance can have high premiums (for an affordable alternative you might consider Manulife Financial's Flexcare plan that has a Catastrophic option, described below).

As an alternative for people who need guaranteed issue critical illness insurance we offer Ontario citizens the Ontario Blue Cross Critical Illness Assistance benefit, which is part of the Blue Vision Express Plan. This benefit has the following features:

• Amount of coverage varies, from $5,000 to $15,000.
• Covers adaptation costs to your vehicles, principal residences, etc.
• Covers travel expenses incurred when receiving care or follow-up.
• Costs for household help and/or childcare.

As an affordable alternative there is the Manulife Flexcare plan has a Catastrophic option, which is offered as an Add-On or as a Stand-Alone product. This coverage provides the following benefits:

• Unlimited, complete coverage for name brand and generic prescription drugs.
• Additional coverage for Homecare, Durable Medical Equipment (wheelchairs, syringes for diabetics, etc.) as well as Prosthetic Appliances. 
• There is a maximum of $100,000 (lifetime).
• Unlimited Chiropractor/Physiotherapist coverage for one year following an accident that required a hospital stay of a minimum of 24 hours.

Note that the Flexcare Catastrophic option does require a medical questionnaire be filled out.
  

How To Enjoy your Retirement without Worries

Retirement should be one of the greatest joys of your life. You’ve spent the majority of your years working hard and planning for that moment when you could finally enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

However, losing your employee benefit package when you retire can leave you suddenly uninsured at a time in your life when you need that insurance the most. Fortunately, finding alternative health insurance coverage need not be a difficult, time consuming matter.

If you and your family members who are to be covered do not have any serious pre-existing health conditions, then a standard personal health insurance policy can be purchased.

For those who have pre-existing conditions, HealthQuotes.ca offers FollowMe, which is a benefit plan specifically designed for those who have recently lost their group coverage. This health insurance plan does NOT require a medical questionnaire as long as coverage is applied for within 60 days of termination of the employee benefits.

FollowMe offers four plans to choose from:

· Basic.
· Enhanced.
· EnhancedPlus.
· Premiere.
    
FollowMe offers coverage for services such as:

· Dental Services.
· Prescription Drugs.
· Vision Care.
· Hospital Benefits.
· Survivor Benefit.
· Fracture Benefit.
· Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
· Other Extended Benefits.

Call our staff of qualified insurance brokers at 1-800-474-4474 to determine what level of coverage you and your family need. Remember, your application needs to be made within 60 days of your employee benefits package.  Select the plan that suits your needs, and start enjoying retirement!

Traveling To Canada

Canada continues to be an affordable, exciting vacation destination for many people and offers an array of exciting outdoor and urban travel opportunities.

For more information about exploring Canada see the government's Exploring Canada web page.

While planning your Canadian vacation, ensure that you purchase the appropriate travel medical insurance. Whether you are sky-diving or sight-seeing, travel coverage takes the worry out of your trip.

IMG's "SelectaPlan" offers coverage for extreme activities via the "Adventurous Travelers" Plan, and covers international travelers up to age 49 who plan on participating in extreme sports and activities during their stay in Canada. Coverage is available for Canadians, U.S. and non U.S. citizens. Individual and family travel medical insurance plans are also available, with up to two years of coverage. Rates are based on age, length of coverage and country of citizenship. Discounted travel rates are available, for those who intend to travel in groups of 5 or more.

Ontario Blue Cross and Manulife Financial's Visitor's Insurance both offer extensive coverage, and is available to visitors, foreign students, immigrants and also returning expatriates. Coverage can begin as soon as 72 hours following purchase, and medical coverage includes hospital, medical and transportation expenses, as well as subsistence allowance and other travel benefits.