Mr. David Healy reports

SUN LIFE U.S. EXPANDS HEALTH NAVIGATOR OFFERING TO GROUP BENEFITS CLIENTS TO HELP MORE WORKERS ACCESS HEALTHCARE

Sun Life Financial Inc.'s Sun Life U.S. is now offering its health care navigation and advisory service to the large employer group benefits market, broadening employees' access to care with personal guidance that helps them get the right medical diagnoses, doctors and treatments for their specific needs, and feel confident in their medical decisions. Health Navigator, powered by PinnacleCare, which Sun Life first launched as an offering to its medical stop-loss clients, helps employer-sponsored health plans and benefits work more efficiently, resulting in better health outcomes for employees.

"The U.S. health care system is complex and its work force shortage has made it even more challenging for people to find the right care at the right time," said David Healy, president of group benefits, Sun Life U.S. "Bringing Health Navigator to our national clients helps their employees have better access to the care they need, and improves health and productivity outcomes for employers who do business with Sun Life. This expansion is the next step forward in bringing care navigation services to more of our group benefits clients."

Acquired by Sun Life U.S. in 2021, PinnacleCare's health navigation services result in more effective and efficient care. In 2022, Sun Life's Health Navigator data showed:

• 52 per cent of expert medical opinions identified for members a more appropriate treatment plan or variation to their original diagnosis.
• $13,000 in average savings (per treatment outcome) for employers -- outcomes include avoided treatments, less invasive testing or surgery, or a change in treatment.
• 54 per cent of appointments for a new or progressing cancer diagnosis were expedited, getting members the right care, sooner.

Benefits for employees

Health Navigator personal care advisers provide one-on-one support to the employee, leveraging extensive relationships with physicians, specialists and centres of excellence around the country to help them get the best care for their specific medical condition or preventive care needs. Behind the scenes, teams of physicians and other health professionals review medical information and reports to ensure people are getting the right care.

"No one should face navigating the health care system alone, especially when dealing with a major health diagnosis," said Jen Collier, president, health and risk solutions, Sun Life U.S. "Health Navigator care advisers take the burden off the employee, whether it's getting them to the right providers, arranging for second opinions, facilitating and scheduling appointments, gathering medical records, or advocating with insurers."

Benefits for employers

By helping people access the right providers and care, Health Navigator has the potential to influence health outcomes, getting members a diagnosis before a condition gets more serious or helping to ensure the member gets the most appropriate treatment. Benefiting an employee's health strengthens their ability to be present and productive at work, while also helping employers to manage costs.

Sun Life's national employer clients -- those with at least 2,000 employees -- include major health systems, educational districts, municipalities and manufacturers around the country.

Health Navigator is available to covered employees and their dependents. Additional options in Health Navigator include bill resolve, which assists employees with understanding and resolving medical bills, and extended care, which offers Health Navigator services to employees' parents, parents-in-law and non-dependent children. Health Navigator will be available for quoting on Feb. 1.

About Sun Life Financial Inc.

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of Sept. 30, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.34-trillion.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping more than 50 million Americans access the health care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance and health care navigation. Sun Life employs nearly 8,300 people in the United States, including associates in the company's partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.).