Customizing Group Benefits Plans in Canada: How Employers Can Tailor Coverage for a Diverse Workforce

Sarah Delorme
Market Insights
March 21, 2025
12 min read

Introduction

As workplaces in Canada become more diverse, a one-size-fits-all group benefits plan no longer meets the needs of modern employees. The workforce now spans multiple generations, different lifestyles, and unique health and wellness priorities. Employers who offer customized group benefits plans are better positioned to attract, retain, and support employees, improving overall job satisfaction and productivity.

With companies in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal competing for top talent, flexibility in group benefits has become a strategic advantage. Employees want coverage that aligns with their personal and family needs, whether it’s enhanced mental health support, more extensive vision care, or expanded wellness spending options.

This guide explores how employers can customize group benefits plans, ensuring that businesses remain competitive while employees receive meaningful and valuable coverage.

Why Customization Matters in Group Benefits

1. Employees Have Different Healthcare Needs

  • Young professionals may prioritize mental health resources, fertility benefits, or fitness reimbursements.
  • Parents and caregivers often seek expanded dental, vision, and dependent care benefits.
  • Older employees may require chronic illness support, paramedical services, and extended drug coverage.

By offering a customizable group benefits plan, employers can accommodate employees at different life stages, leading to higher engagement and loyalty.

2. Personalization Increases Benefits Utilization

Many employees do not fully use their group benefits because they include coverage they don’t need. A survey found that only 49% of Canadian employees regularly use their full benefits package. By providing flexible options, businesses can ensure that employees make the most of their benefits, leading to greater job satisfaction.

3. Competitive Advantage in Talent Acquisition & Retention

  • 78% of employees in Canada say they are more likely to stay with an employer that offers customizable benefits.
  • Companies that provide flexible group benefits plans see higher retention rates and lower turnover costs.
  • Tech companies, startups, and remote-first organizations in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa are leading the shift toward personalized benefits to attract top talent.

How to Customize a Group Benefits Plan for Your Workforce

1. Offer Modular Group Benefits Plans

Instead of a fixed benefits package, modular benefits plans allow employees to choose coverage levels for different categories.

Example of a Modular Plan:

  • Core Coverage: Basic health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Optional Add-Ons: Employees can choose extra mental health support, additional paramedical services, or higher prescription drug coverage
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: Employees receive a set amount for either a Health Spending Account (HSA) or Wellness Spending Account (WSA)

This structure ensures that employees only pay for benefits they will use, making group benefits more cost-effective and personalized.

2. Implement Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) and Wellness Spending Accounts (WSAs)

Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) are tax-free accounts that allow employees to cover medical expenses not included in their standard health plan. HSAs provide flexibility for employees with varying healthcare needs.

Wellness Spending Accounts (WSAs) are taxable benefits that cover non-medical wellness expenses, such as:

  • Gym memberships
  • Personal training sessions
  • Mental wellness programs
  • Ergonomic office equipment

Employers in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec are increasingly using HSAs and WSAs to offer more customized health and wellness benefits without increasing insurance costs.

3. Expand Mental Health and Wellness Benefits

Mental health support has become one of the most in-demand employee benefits in Canada. Employers can enhance their group benefits plan by adding:

  • Higher coverage for therapy and counseling sessions
  • Virtual mental health platforms for online therapy and coaching
  • Stress management and mindfulness programs
  • Subsidized fitness and wellness memberships

4. Include Flexible Work & Lifestyle Benefits

Employees today value benefits that support their lifestyle just as much as traditional healthcare coverage. Employers can enhance group benefits by adding:

  • Childcare and eldercare subsidies
  • Paid wellness days separate from sick leave
  • Remote work stipends for home office setup
  • Financial wellness programs and investment coaching

5. Provide Multi-Tiered Drug and Dental Coverage

Not all employees require the same level of drug and dental coverage. Employers can offer:

  • Basic, Enhanced, and Comprehensive Plans where employees choose the level of coverage they need
  • Optional orthodontics or major dental care for employees with families
  • Expanded drug coverage for chronic illness management

By customizing drug and dental benefits, companies save on unnecessary premiums while ensuring that employees receive meaningful coverage.

Best Practices for Implementing a Custom Group Benefits Plan

1. Conduct Employee Surveys to Identify Needs

Before making changes, conduct an anonymous survey to ask employees about their current benefits usage and desired improvements. This helps in designing a group benefits package that employees will actually value.

2. Communicate Benefit Options Clearly

A customized benefits plan only works if employees understand how to use it. Employers should:

  • Offer webinars, guides, and Q&A sessions
  • Provide an employee benefits portal for easy access to coverage details
  • Encourage HR teams to provide one-on-one consultations

3. Work with a Benefits Administrator for Easy Management

Administering a flexible benefits plan can be complex. Employers can streamline the process by using a digital benefits administration platform to manage:

  • Employee benefits enrollment and changes
  • Claims processing and reimbursements
  • Data insights on benefits usage

How GoKlaim Simplifies Benefits Management

Managing benefits plans requires a seamless digital platform to handle claims, reimbursements, and plan administration efficiently. GoKlaim offers an innovative solution that simplifies benefits customization for employers.

Why Employers Choose GoKlaim?

  • Custom Benefits Plan Design – Employers can offer flexible benefits tailored to their workforce.
  • Real-Time Claims Processing – Employees can submit and track claims online with fast reimbursement.
  • Data Insights & Analytics – Employers get valuable insights into benefits utilization and employee preferences.

For businesses in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and Montreal, GoKlaim provides a streamlined approach to group benefits management, ensuring that employees receive the coverage they actually need.

Keywords

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  • Mental health benefits for employees in Canada
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  • Corporate wellness programs in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Quebec

With the growing demand for flexible, employee-centric benefits, companies must rethink how they structure group benefits insurance plans. GoKlaim’s technology-driven platform allows businesses to provide customized coverage options, ensuring a better benefits experience for employees while optimizing costs for employers.