Workplace benefits

We have you covered

Whatever life throws at you, your workplace benefits can help keep you and your family covered.

Lower-cost coverage
Workplace benefits can help you pay your family's healthcare expenses, and your premiums will likely be more affordable than a personal health and dental plan.
Get the care you need
From prescriptions and dental, to paramedical services such as accupuncture and physio therapy, most plans cover the many ways you manage your well-being.
Customize your coverage
Many workplace benefit programs allow you to customize your level of coverage to your situation. As your life changes, your coverage can change too.

What are workplace benefits?

Workplace benefits are provided by many employers or associations to help their employees cover the cost of things provincial health care plansOpens in a new window may not pay for, including certain prescription drugs, dental, hospital, vision, paramedical and ambulance services. 

Coverage you can keep

You can now add Freedom to Choose^TM life, critical illness and accident insurance to select plans.

Applying online is easy, and you could have a decision in minutes.

Discover Freedom to Choose insurance

Save some money at the pharmacy

Shopping around and using generic drugs, which can be as effective as the brand name version, are just a couple of choices you can make at the pharmacy to save money.

Narrator: You may be wondering why we encourage our members to choose generic drugs.

Description: Jean stands in her bathroom looking at an empty pill bottle.

Narrator: Generic drugs can cost up to 20% less than the brand name version.

Description: The pill bottle enters into frame; text appears beside that reads “20%” less.

Narrator: Brand name drugs are more expensive because it costs drug companies a lot to develop new products.

Description: Cut to a beaker on a table, money falls in from above. The beaker fills with liquid.

Narrator: Once a new drug is developed, the company can obtain a patent - the exclusive right to make and sell it for a certain period of time.

Description: An eyedropper samples the liquid and transforms into a pill. The pill, along with others falls into a lock. The lock is secured.

Narrator: When the patent expires, other companies can produce generic versions.

Description: Time passes. The lock opens, and generic drugs are produced.

Narrator: Since generic manufacturers don’t need to invest as much in research and development, their prices can be much lower.

Description: The beaker returns, less money falls in. The beaker fills with less liquid.

Narrator: Generic drugs can be just as effective as the brand name version.

Description: Cut to two pill bottles that look the same. An equal sign falls in between.

Narrator: To have Health Canada approval, a generic drug must include the same quality medicinal ingredients as the brand name version.

Description: A maple leaf flies by as s checkmark appears. Text beside reads “Same ingredients, same quality.”

Narrator: The drug also has to be absorbed by the body the same way.

Description: Text continues: “Same requirements.”

Narrator: Non-active ingredients like fillers or colouring can be different. But they can’t change the drug’s effectiveness.

Description: A line of test tubes appear. They fill with different coloured liquids.

Narrator: Sometimes, both manufacturers buy ingredients from the same suppliers.

Description: One test tube is removed, the liquid pours equally into two beakers.

Narrator: Another way to cut the cost of your prescription is by shopping around.

Description: Cut to view of city, location pins appear above.

Narrator: Pharmacies have different dispensing fees, mark-ups and other costs. Find the pharmacy that gives you the most affordable option.

Description: Location pins morph into different costs. The most affordable is highlighted.

Narrator: You can also request a three-month supply of your medications, rather than one month at a time. This way you’ll only pay one dispensing fee instead of three.

Description: One pill bottle returns, joined by two others. Each bottle has their own fee. A line connects the three and the fee is shared.

Narrator: These are all ways you can save money

Description: Return to Jean at the pharmacy, refilling her prescription.

Narrator: and help keep your company’s drug plan affordable for everyone.

Description: Fade to Canada Life logo and legal line: Canada Life and design are trademarks of The Canada Life Assurance Company.