A year-long study has indicated that the ways employees use their workplace benefits plans do not align with the predominant health challenges facing Canadians, according to Green Shield Canada in Windsor, Ont.

The report comes from Greenshield’s analysis of health benefits usage, which included prescription drugs, eyewear and paramedical services.

The study showed that Green Shield Canada’s clients spent approximately $144 million on glasses, orthotic shoes, and chiropractic and massage services last year. Yet, only $100,000 of that amount was spent on dietitians and nutritionists. This despite studies showing type-2 diabetes has doubled in Canada since the year 2000 and eating habits are a significant contributor to the disease.

The highest expenditure of any service was for massage. This trend is seen at a time when chronic disease such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes increasingly dominate employee populations and drive significant costs to the health care system, according to Green Shield.

“We know people like getting their glasses and massages paid for, but demands for expensive but highly effective drugs and chronic health care are increasing rapidly,” says David Willows, vice president, strategic market solutions, Green Shield Canada. “There must be a real discussion about employee benefits plans and how they are increasingly out of synch with the reality of our health management needs today and into the future.”

Green Shield does not advocate discontinuing coverage for paramedicals, but suggests there is a risk that they are increasing at the expense of other critically important health strategies and treatments.

One concern is aging Canadian baby boomers, whose health costs are increasing with fewer younger people to help shoulder those expenses. In 1960, there were eight working people for every senior. In the coming decades, the ratio will fall to two working individuals for every senior.

Green Shield is also concerned about escalating drug costs and the ability of Canadian employers to afford benefits to cover expensive drugs for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis C.

While these types of drug are costly, they do have a positive impact on employees, says Willows.

“A drug that can cure hepatitis C or move someone with rheumatoid arthritis from a bed back to work is a sound investment for an employers,” says Willows.