Sun Life first Canadian insurer to launch National Healthcare Provider Ratings Network

New feature another digital health industry first to help Canadians manage their health

TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial is amplifying its commitment to bring innovative digital capabilities to Canadians with the launch of the industry's first national healthcare provider ratings network, available in English and French through the my Sun Life mobile app.

Powered by millions of Sun Life group benefits plan members and 100,000 healthcare providers, the network allows clients to search for local healthcare providers such as: chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, chiropodists, naturopaths, osteopaths and psychologists.

"Our clients have told us that a major hurdle for them in managing their health and well-being was having a trusted resource for finding a healthcare provider closest to them," explains Chris Denys, Senior Vice-President of Possibilities, Digital Health Solutions, Sun Life Financial Canada. "We see this as a significant opportunity to empower Canadians to manage their health and wellness."

Sun Life asks plan members who submit a paramedical healthcare claim to rate the service provided on a scale from one to five, resulting in 25,000 ratings a week or over 1 million a year. "We have given a voice to our clients to help others using the app make more informed healthcare choices," says Denys. "It's similar to the tripadvisor service but for health, powered by the community of Sun Life plan members."

Digital Health Solutions is a new business area recently launched by Sun Life to support Canadians with their health needs by helping them:

• Find new and better ways of accessing healthcare products and services;
• Act by making healthy choices to support wellness goals; and
• Better manage chronic conditions with advanced technologies and insights.

As the leading group benefits provider and private health payor in Canada, with 50 million health touchpoints with Canadians, and with a leading digital platform powered by the first real-time decision engine (Digital Benefits Assistant), Sun Life is well positioned to deliver on these needs.

"At Sun Life, we're proud of the progress we've made in delivering digital firsts to Canadians including the first mobile app of its kind in the insurance industry in Canada, now offering Touch ID for easy access to submitting claims and checking group retirement savings," says Mark Saunders, Executive Vice-President and Chief Information Officer, Sun Life Financial. "We plan to continue to innovate using the latest technologies to make it easier for our clients to get the services they need. We're also excited about the opportunities on the horizon for Digital Health Solutions to help Canadians find new ways in managing their health."

The my Sun Life Mobile app is the highest rated insurer app available, having received a five-star rating from the Apple store.

About Sun Life Financial 
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial 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 September 30, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $908 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted. 

For further information:
Kim Armstrong
Corporate Communications
416-979-6207
[e-mail]  

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada