Thank you to program innovation sponsors Amgen, Janssen Inc., and Novo Nordisk.
BPHA Advisory Board Members
Keri Alletson, Independent Consultant, kerrinalletson@gmail.com
Colleen Baker, Vice President, Enterprise Benefit Solutions, People Corporation, colleen.baker@peoplecorporation.com
Denise Balch, President, Connex Health Consulting, denisebalch@connexhc.com
George Elliott, Senior Group Benefits Specialist, RBC Insurance, George.elliott1959@gmail.com
Joanna Gomes, Senior Manager, Total Rewards, Bimbo Canada, joanna.gomes@grupobimbo.com
Chris Lee, Vice President, Communications, Gallagher, chris_lee@ajg.com
Kathy Sotirakos, Senior Manager, Market Access, Amgen Canada, ksotirak@amgen.com
Beth Stefaniuk, Vice President, Administration, Jones DesLauriers Blevins Insurance, bstefaniuk@adminplex.ca
Connie Wong, Director, Global Access, Value & Economics – Canada, Intuitive Surgical, Connie.Wong2@intusurg.com
Session Overview
Each session contains multiple modules. Pass each module quiz to receive 1 CE credit per hour of video content towards the 35 required for your BPHA designation in Canadian benefits and private healthcare. Join the growing group of benefits professionals with this designation by completing all 10 sessions.
1. The Benefits Landscape
Modules in this session present an overview of the industry landscape and relevant stakeholders, including a segment covering the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical reimbursement landscape. At the end of this session you will have a baseline knowledge of the employee benefits sector.
2. Health and Dental Plans
Presenters in this session deliver content on many of today’s current benefit plan issues, funding and underwriting arrangements, pooling arrangements, flexible benefits, and insight into modernized health-focused vision care plan designs. At the end of this session you will have a sound understanding of the trends, funding and risk arrangements in employee benefits.
3. Renewals and Marketing
You will learn about renewal analysis and forecasting, marketing specifications and how to analyze proposals, including plan design, and how to present results to clients. At the end of this session you will have a good understanding of the renewal process, how to market a plan and how to review and present a renewal.
4. Communications, Administration, The Law and Fraud
You will receive insights on the important role of communications in plan design, efficient and accurate plan administration, the role of third-party administrators, the legal responsibilities of benefits and human resource management, fraud and fraud prevention. At the end of this session you will have a good understanding of effective communication strategies, administration priorities, legal obligations and how to prevent and manage fraud.
5. Pooled, Voluntary, Short- and Long-Term Disability
Presenter will explore pooled benefits including mandatory and voluntary group life, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, emergency travel and individual benefits that can be offered to group plan members. At the end of this session you will have a better understanding of the role of pooled and voluntary benefits and the advantages to plan members when they have access to supplementary coverage at affordable group prices.
6. The Drug Reimbursement Process and Data Analytics
You will learn about drug benefits and data analytics, as well as mechanisms and additional services to manage specialty medicines, including prior authorization, product listing agreements and patient access to specialty medications, including specialty pharmacy. At the end of this session you will understand the challenges in managing drug plans, the expanding role of specialty pharmacy and how data analytics can be used to provide insights into drug plan management.
7. Government Health Benefits and Public-Private Sustainability
Modules in this session dig deeper into the broad sweep of government benefits available across the country, the Quebec drug benefits environment, and affordability in the public and private sector world of prescription drugs, including the developing discussion on pharmacare.
8. Prevention, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Pharmacy
You will learn about the important role of prevention and wellness (wellbeing) as well as chronic disease management in managing plan member health and employee benefit plan design and budgets. We will address the expanding role of pharmacists in delivering chronic disease management to plan members. We will also address drug plan formularies, formulary management and how electronic claims adjudication through pharmacy benefit managers has changed the way drug benefits are managed and reimbursed. At the end of this session you will understand the key steps to plan member wellbeing, including starting an effective and measurable wellness program, the role of pharmacy and pharmacy benefits managers, and the importance of exploring the expanding number of tools and providers to achieve member health goals.
9. Government Disability Benefits and Disability Management
Our presenter will address the philosophy of absence and disability management, the process of an absence through to becoming a disability, claim initiation, the importance of early and ongoing communication and timely access to medical care, best practice management from an insurer and external consultant perspective, return to work and record keeping. Government benefits; occupational and non-occupational disabilities, and some of the challenges that are presented under a dual system. You will take away some of the most important aspects of absence and disability management that will allow you to respond appropriately when you and/or your clients or your plan members are faced with an absence.
10. Innovations and New Horizons in Benefits
This is a glimpse into the pressures in our environment that may fundamentally change our industry and benefits innovation. Modules in this session address plan trends that are emerging in the marketplace for small, medium and large groups, the disruptors to the employee benefits landscape that are pushing towards fundamental changes that will affect all stakeholders, and the trends and impact of technology. At the end of this session you will understand the larger market forces that are promising to change the benefits landscape for all stakeholders involved.
Program Features
A-Z Fundamentals
A complete guide to the benefits industry including all relevant practices, issues and stakeholders.
Earn CE Credits
Those who are life licensed will earn 35 continuing education credits (in most provinces) for the full program.
Audiovisual Presentations
Listen to each module and watch presentations play through in real time.
Comprehensive Resources
Gain full access to presentation slides and tip sheets created by our expert presenters. Plus bonus materials like podcasts, relevant reports and graphics, etc.
Regular Content Reviews
Sessions are updated regularly to reflect the latest industry trends and developments. Once you receive your BPHA designation you will be notified of program updates so that you can stay current and earn additional CE credits.
BPHA Membership
Maintain your practical working knowledge of the benefits field with a BPHA membership. Up to 10 modules (out of the 34 modules in the full program) are updated every year to ensure the content and industry experts remain relevant. Click here for a synopsis of the full program.
We know how busy benefits professionals are and how quickly the landscape is changing. The BPHA membership ensures that you stay up to date with the evolving environment while helping you meet your CE requirements every year.
At just $250 plus tax (per year for the full program) the BPHA membership is an accessible and affordable ongoing education program for any advisor, benefits professional, or those with an interest in benefits who want to provide the best service to their clients guided by the latest trends in policy, insurance practices, and scientific innovation. Your membership includes access to any updated content and three BPHA at Lunch sessions annually for additional CE credits, as well as our exclusive members-only resource library and Ask the Expert forum.