New OHA-Desjardins Financial Security Insurance Plan Provides Value-For-Money For Taxpayers
Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
Visit our Web Site: http://www.oha.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
TORONTO, June 27, 2007 – Better insurance programs for employees at a more competitive cost to Ontario healthcare providers are some of the most significant benefits of a new insurance partnership between the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and Desjardins Financial Security, the OHA announced today.
“Ontario’s hospitals are national leaders when it comes to efficiency and using the taxpayer’s resources wisely,” said Hilary Short, President and CEO of the OHA. “Our new agreement with Desjardins Financial Security will ensure that healthcare organizations have access to more competitive group insurance rates, help reduce administrative costs and provide greater value-for-money for taxpayers.”
OHA sponsored group benefit programs were created in 1962 to provide cost-effective insurance services to Ontario’s hospitals and other healthcare providers. In early 2007, the OHA undertook a market study review of these programs. After an extensive review of the marketplace, Desjardins Financial Security was selected as the OHA Benefit Plans provider.
"We are honoured by the confidence the OHA put in us by choosing DFS as the carrier for their group benefits," said Alain Thauvette, Senior Vice President of Group and Business Insurance for Desjardins Financial Security. "Our intention is to provide the best service and attention to detail in servicing the needs of the OHA, its members and their employees."
“With such a large workforce in Ontario hospitals and across the healthcare system, we have a responsibility to help ensure that insurance spending is as cost-effective as possible,” said Short. “There is a great financial advantage for hospitals in participating in this province-wide group benefits program.”
The OHA Benefit Plans currently provide Long Term Disability, Basic and Voluntary Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage for approximately 185 Ontario healthcare employers representing 70,000 employees. Health and Dental insurance coverage is also offered under this program.
-- 30 --
About the OHA:
Representing Ontario’s 158 public hospitals, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) advocates on behalf of its Members for an innovative, sustainable health system that provides world-class patient care. For more information about the OHA, please visit www.oha.com.
About Desjardins Financial Security
Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, specializes in individual and group life and health insurance, as well as retirement savings products and services. Every day, over 5 million Canadians rely on Desjardins Financial Security to ensure their financial security. Desjardins Financial Security employs more than 3,700 people and administers over $22.0 billion in assets from offices in several cities across the country including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Levis, Halifax and St-John's.
For more information:
Shannon Bowness
Desjardins Financial Security
416-926-2700 x. 2015
shannon.bowness@dfs.ca
For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1433