New Year: Is it Time to Screen for (Pre)Diabetes?

Diabetes remains a leading cause of chronic health conditions and has a significant financial impact on Canada’s health care system. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, a diabetes diagnosis can reduce life expectancy by five to 15 years. Research from Harvard Medical School also shows that people living with diabetes are twice as likely to experience a heart attack or stroke compared to those without the condition.  

Early identification of prediabetes, paired with lifestyle changes, can delay or even prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Canada recommends an A1C blood test every three years for adults over age 40, or for adults under 40 who have one or more risk factors. The A1C test reflects average blood sugar levels over the previous three months.

Key risk factors include:

•    Age: 40 years or older 
•    Lifestyle factors: smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol use
•    Higher-risk populations: Asian, South Asian, Indigenous, Arab, Hispanic, or African heritage 
•    Family history: a parent or sibling with diabetes
•    Higher BMI (Body Mass Index): especially when weight is carried around the abdomen
•    Other health conditions: high cholesterol or high blood pressure

Reduce the risk of Diabetes 

The good news is that diabetes risk and progression can often be reduced through healthy habits including nutrition, regular physical activity, and consistent sleep routines. For individuals identified as prediabetic, Lifestyle Rx, is a free program available to eligible residents of British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. The program offers personalized support to help reduce diabetes risk and build sustainable, healthy behaviours, empowering people to take an active role in their long-term health. 

Protecting employee information through privacy compliance

As a trusted partner, we routinely manage highly sensitive information—including medical diagnoses, treatment plans, and income data— while supporting employees during disability leaves. How this information is handled and shared plays a critical role in maintaining trust, supporting recovery, minimizing preventable costs and facilitating timely return-to-work outcomes. 

Secure email practices are no longer optional. Encryption and password protection are essential safeguards for protecting confidential information. At Pacific Blue Cross, privacy compliance is mandatory and reflects the level of care we expect when handling personal information. 

Unencrypted emails may be intercepted, misdirected, or accessed by unauthorized parties, creating significant privacy risks. Even when specific diagnoses are not included, a breach involving disability-related information can undermine employee confidence and disrupt recovery and return-to-work planning. 

We recognize that encryption and password protection add an extra step and may feel inconvenient. However, these measures significantly reduce the risk of data exposure by ensuring information remains secure both in transit and at rest. Encryption converts data into a secure format that can only be accessed by intended recipients, significantly reducing the risk of data leaks or cyberattacks. Taking this additional care helps protect employees and supports strong, respectful working relationships.

If you have questions about secure communication or privacy requirements, please contact lifeanddisability@pac.bluecross.ca 

Focusing on function during a disability leave

When an employee begins disability leave, it’s natural to focus on medical diagnosis. However, from a recovery and workplace perspective, function matters more than diagnosis. Understanding what an employee can do—rather than focusing solely on their condition —supports safer, more sustainable return-to-work outcomes.

Medical diagnoses often provide limited insight into an employee’s day-to-day work capabilities. Two people with the same diagnosis may have very different functional abilities and recovery paths. A function-based approach focuses on practical considerations such as stamina, cognitive focus, mobility, lifting capacity and the ability to work modified hours. This perspective enables employers to make informed, fair, decisions and identify transitional or modified duties. Clear functional guidance supports earlier planning, reduces uncertainty, and helps align work accommodations with recovery needs.

Through regular claim updates, our goal is to shift the conversation from “What is the diagnosis?” to “Which functions are currently limited, and what work can be safely performed?”. Managers play a vital role in this collaboration. By working together and having function-focused discussions, we can support employee wellbeing, reduce lost time, and achieve successful, safe, and sustainable return-to-work outcomes for everyone involved. 

Changes to Blue Cross Life policies

As of January 1, 2026, we’ve updated our life & disability policy language to provide more clarity and to better align with industry standards.

Updated policy language applies to all life and disability claims where the event date or date of disability is January 1, 2026 or later. Policies will be amended upon first claim submission after that date if they haven’t already been updated. Please note: these changes will be implemented for groups to which they are relevant or applicable. 

We’ve created a summary of the changes in PDF format for your reference. For additional information, including an interactive summary and FAQs, please visit the Blue Cross Life Policy Updates website. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Account Executive. 

Staff spotlight: Meet Anna T!

Anna has been with Pacific Blue Cross since 1998 and has spent the past eight years as a Disability Claims Specialist in our Life and Disability team. In this role, she supports short-term disability claims and works closely with members and plan sponsors to ensure timely, thoughtful service. 

Anna brings a strong commitment to learning and a deep sense of purpose to her work. She believes it’s a privilege to support individuals during vulnerable periods and values being part of a team that genuinely cares for one another. 

Outside of work, Anna loves to spend time with her beloved family (including her fur-baby Rollo) and friends. She is passionate about social, economic, and environmental justice and the arts. Whether supporting the local art scene or going for a summer swim in the ocean with her puppy, Anna finds joy in community and connection. Like many of us living in Vancouver, Anna marvels at her incredible luck to live in such a beautiful and sacred place.

Reminder: New Attending Physician Statement (APS)

Our updated Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) is now available!

This APS is a standardized form developed by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) and used by many major insurance providers. A consistent format can make it easier for physicians to complete forms and helps reduce back-and-forth that can slow claim reviews.

What you can do:

• Download claim forms directly from ADMINnet each time you need them (rather than using saved copies).
• Share the current APS with the employee/physician as early as possible to help avoid delays.

Using the most up-to-date form supports timely claim assessment and helps us provide a smoother experience for members and plan sponsors.