The beginning of 2021 has already been full of news about the COVID-19 vaccines. What is interesting is that according to the Sanofi Canada Healthcare Survey, participants chose vaccination against infectious disease as their number one choice out of 15 possible new health benefits, and the survey was done before COVID-19 arrived. The speed at which the COVID-19 vaccines have been developed show remarkable advances in health and science.
Vaccines and health benefits
We know health benefits plans need to be more proactive and strategic, and certainly vaccines fall into that category. The cost of prevention is always lower than the cost of treating illness and disease. Including vaccines in benefits plans is also strategic because it is more likely that plan members will take advantage of those vaccines.
Does your company have a vaccine policy for your benefits plans?
Make sure you have a vaccine policy which aligns with your provincial vaccination programs. Some vaccines are free; others are government funded. There are a number of vaccines available which protect against illnesses such as shingles, pneumococcal disease, HPV, travel-related diseases such as hepatitis A and B, and the seasonal flu vaccine. This year, the COVID-19 vaccine will be rolled out across Canada and will be available to Canadians for free.
In the Sanofi survey, “Virtual Healthcare” was in the top five of respondents, and again, the survey was done before COVID-19 arrived. Thanks to COVID-19, virtual healthcare took on a new urgency as shutdowns prevented members from face to face appointments with medical professionals. Doctors, dentists, and mental health care professionals are continuing to learn how to provide virtual care via more “telemedicine” services.
At Health Risk Services, we are staying on top of the many changes occurring in all areas of the health care sector, and how those impact managers of benefits plans and their members.
We would like you to know more about how Health Risk Services can assist you with a 2021 plan which is proactive and strategic, so please schedule a Complimentary Consultation with us.
At Health Risk Services we will Empathize, Educate, and Empower you and your team into 2021!
To schedule your Complimentary Consultation with Health Risk Services, please call 403-236-9430 OR email: [email protected]
