Diabetes and Chronic Disease: A Collaborative Approach
At Medavie, we believe the future of health care in Canada depends on collaboration — across insurers, governments, plan sponsors, and members. By working together, we will be able to address chronic disease in a way that is balanced, proven, and built to last.
Chronic disease: insights and impact
Speaking at the Private Sector Summit on Diabetes, Bernard Lord, CEO of Medavie, expressed the importance of public-private collaboration in improving prevention, care, and access.
“We need to work together to evolve the way we provide health care, a model that is sustainable and collaborative, but continues to prioritize personalized care. After all, health is personal. And health solutions should be too.” — Bernard Lord, CEO, Medavie
Chronic disease affects more Canadians and more workplaces than ever before. Our claims data reveals that:
- 41% of members claim for at least one chronic disease.
- Of those, more than half manage two chronic conditions, and nearly a third live with three or more.
- Diabetes medications represent 14% of all therapeutic drug spending, with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic accounting for more than half of that total in 2025 to date.
- However, diabetes drug trend growth has stabilized, following earlier demand for non-diabetic prescriptions.
Behind these numbers are real people balancing their health, their work, and their lives. A reminder that managing chronic disease requires teamwork — not isolated efforts.
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Rethinking obesity care
At the Benefits Canada Toronto Benefits Summit, Marie-Hélène Dugal, National Pharmacy Strategy Lead at Medavie Blue Cross called for a new approach to obesity — one that recognizes obesity as a chronic, relapsing condition and not a matter of willpower.
“Failing to treat obesity as a disease fuels stigma, delays care, and places unjust blame on individuals for a condition they cannot fully control. It’s time to replace blame with biology and shame with support.” — Marie-Hélène Dugal, National Pharmacy Strategy Lead, Medavie Blue Cross
Rethinking obesity care
At the Benefits Canada Toronto Benefits Summit, Marie-Hélène Dugal, National Pharmacy Strategy Lead at Medavie Blue Cross called for a new approach to obesity — one that recognizes obesity as a chronic, relapsing condition and not a matter of willpower.
“Failing to treat obesity as a disease fuels stigma, delays care, and places unjust blame on individuals for a condition they cannot fully control. It’s time to replace blame with biology and shame with support.” — Marie-Hélène Dugal, National Pharmacy Strategy Lead, Medavie Blue Cross
Key facts:
- More than 1 in 4 Canadians lives with obesity.
- Female plan members account for 79% of weight management drug claimants.
- The cost of obesity-related illness exceeds $27 billion annually.
- Modest weight loss of 5-7% can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 60%.
Seeing where old approaches fall short, Medavie Blue Cross has evolved its prior authorization criteria to better reflect real-world health needs:
- Coverage decisions now consider Body Mass Index (BMI) alongside waist circumference and ethnicity-specific guidelines.
- Related conditions such as joint pain and sleep apnea are factored into eligibility.
- Plans emphasize a comprehensive approach that combines behavioural, lifestyle, and medical interventions.
Medavie Blue Cross works to design coverage that focuses on real health outcomes, not just numbers, to reflect both medical science and human needs.
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Supporting health at every stage
The relationship between obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions illustrates why treatment must be ongoing and coordinated.
- Obesity and Type 2 diabetes share biological roots and treatment pathways.
- Interrupting care or limiting treatment duration can reverse progress and increase overall costs.
- Long-term progress depends on psychological support, pharmacological therapy, and when necessary, bariatric surgery, alongside nutrition counselling and physical activity. This comprehensive model requires coordination between physicians, insurers, employers, and governments.
Supporting health at every stage
The relationship between obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions illustrates why treatment must be ongoing and coordinated.
- Obesity and Type 2 diabetes share biological roots and treatment pathways.
- Interrupting care or limiting treatment duration can reverse progress and increase overall costs.
- Long-term progress depends on psychological support, pharmacological therapy, and when necessary, bariatric surgery, alongside nutrition counselling and physical activity. This comprehensive model requires coordination between physicians, insurers, employers, and governments.
Key facts:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for over 200 chronic illnesses, including cancer.
- 90% of people with type 2 diabetes live with obesity.
- Weight loss as low as 15% can lead to diabetes remission.
Supporting employees with diabetes
Employers are uniquely positioned to make a difference in how chronic disease is managed and understood in the workplace. Beyond offering strong benefit plans, employers can create an environment that supports employees living with diabetes and other conditions.
Practical steps for employers:
- Accommodate health needs: Provide time and space for blood sugar checks or insulin injections; install safe sharps containers.
- Create recovery spaces: Designate quiet areas for when blood sugar fluctuates.
- Promote healthy eating: Offer healthy food options in cafeterias and vending machines.
- Encourage vaccination: Offer flu shots — people with diabetes face higher risks from flu and pneumonia.
Supporting employee health isn’t just a wellness initiative, it’s an investment that leads to lower drug costs, reduced absenteeism, and greater productivity.
Innovation and compassion in action
At Medavie Blue Cross, innovation and compassion go hand in hand. Through preventive care and proactive benefit design we can dramatically reduce the burden on the health system and improve quality of life.
“When we focus more on the quality of years lived over purely quantity, we are going to have a positive impact on prevention of disease and chronic illness, which dramatically reduces the burden on the healthcare system.” — Bernard Lord
Innovation and compassion in action
At Medavie Blue Cross, innovation and compassion go hand in hand. Through preventive care and proactive benefit design we can dramatically reduce the burden on the health system and improve quality of life.
“When we focus more on the quality of years lived over purely quantity, we are going to have a positive impact on prevention of disease and chronic illness, which dramatically reduces the burden on the healthcare system.” — Bernard Lord
As a result, we have introduced several innovative solutions that help Canadians manage chronic disease more effectively and sustainably.
These solutions include:
Connected Care
Our online services like Total 360 Care, offer personalized health coaching for diabetes, hypertension, and weight management.
Health coaching and managing chronic disease benefit
Access to diabetes educators, respiratory therapists, nurses, and menopause coaches gives members one-on-one guidance on managing their health.
Holistic benefits management
Evolution of plan design to support treatment continuity rather than dollar limits, ensures sustainable access to critical therapies such as GLP-1 medications.
We also cover health coaching and nutritional counselling through our Employee Family and Assistance Program and Personal Wellness Account, in addition to discount programs that allow members to save on wellness-related expenses.
These tools help members take control of their health, leading to better outcomes at home and in the workplace.
Make Chronic Care a Priority in Your Workplace
Proactive chronic care management can make a real difference in your employees’ lives. Speak to your Medavie Blue Cross Representative to learn how to bring this approach to your workplace.
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on October 4, 2025
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...