Empire Life and Symbility Health announced Dec. 5 that they have launched a pilot program, with a group of Symbility's Third-Party Administrator partners, to provide a fully insured drug program.

The pilot program is aimed at assisting Symbility Health’s clients with cost containment and plan sustainability, stated the companies in a joint announcement.

Rising drug costs

"We are excited to have entered into this pilot program with Empire Life and our partners," said Shannon McShane-Reed, President Symbility Health. "With the consistent trend of rising drug costs and introductions of biologics into the market, this program will help ensure our customers have insured options such as drug, life and long-term disability, while retaining the flexibility that Administrative Services Only or Health Care Spending Accounts can bring for extended health and dental benefits."

"We're excited to work with Symbility," said Steve Pong, Senior Vice-President, Group Solutions, Empire Life. "They're an innovative, Canadian software company, and the capabilities of their systems have allowed us to bring this product to the pilot stage quickly and efficiently. We look forward to expanding our partnership in 2018 and beyond."