WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 29 2007 – Manulife Financial Corporation today announced that its Group Benefits business selected AccelMD, a leading supplier of healthcare services and solutions, to provide plan member health care services to Manulife Financial’s group benefits clients. The agreement demonstrates Manulife Financial’s ongoing commitment to offer employers a selection of innovative products supporting employee health and well-being, and enhancing workplace competitiveness.
“After a broad review of our strategic alternatives, we are delighted to announce this agreement with AccelMD. Their expertise and in-depth knowledge of plan member health care services complements our existing offerings,” said Rick Brunet, Executive Vice President, Group Benefits, Manulife Financial. “Manulife is committed to being a leader in group benefits solutions and this new agreement will allow us to offer our clients innovative services and options to better serve their employees and their families.”
AccelMD will leverage its existing partnerships with two world-class health care organizations, Novus Health and Worldcare Inc., to help develop programs and services that will provide Manulife’s Group Benefits plan members with direct access to specialized medical information and care. Services include current topical health and chronic condition information, consolidated resources and supporting tools, as well as the ability to facilitate second medical opinions from leading medical research institutions.
“We are pleased to partner with Manulife Financial Group Benefits and help expand their menu of products and offerings with such a dynamic health information resource,” said David Le Penske, President, AccelMD. “Creating unique solutions that promote greater health awareness and establish well informed pathways to treatment resources is the basis of our business. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial business relationship with Manulife Financial and to helping plan members navigate their way to better health.”
About Manulife Financial Group Benefits
Group Benefits offers plans to complement and supplement provincial health plans, Workers’ Compensation, CPP/QPP, and other programs. More than 16,000 Canadian businesses have entrusted their employee benefit programs to Manulife Group Benefits. We provide coverage for businesses of all sizes, from two employees to Canada’s largest employers. An industry leader in electronic services and transactions, Group Benefits provides a broad range of coverage including health and dental care, emergency travel assistance, short and long term disability, group critical illness, absence management services and wellness products, flexible benefits plans, life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$399.0 billion (US$400.5 billion) as at September 30, 2007.
Manulife Financial is one of two publicly traded life insurance companies in North America whose rated life insurance subsidiaries hold Standard & Poor’s Rating Services’ highest “AAA” rating and Moody’s Investor Services’ second highest “Aa1” rating, both representing financial strength.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
About AccelMD:
AccelMD strives to raise health awareness by providing an exceptional portfolio of results-driven health care and wellness solutions to improve health and enhance the quality of life for individuals, groups and organizations. Our products help manage and reduce health care costs while increasing organizational health and employee productivity. In addition to larger groups, AccelMD also offers innovative health memberships for individuals and families, ready to assist members who choose to pursue timesaving condition diagnosis or treatment options in the United States, regardless of age, health history or present state of health. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting www.accelmd.com.
About Novus Health
Novus Health(TM) provides personal, knowledgeable and compassionate assistance to help Canadians navigate the health care system and access the trusted health information they need for healthier living. Novus Health(TM) provides premium content and personal assistance to help members achieve that goal. Novus Health(TM) solutions are complementary to the Canadian health care system, and are available in English and French. www.novushealth.com.
About WorldCare Inc.
WorldCare’s mission is to improve the health of all people by giving affordable, timely access to quality health care services through a global network. A leader in the field of global e-Health services, WorldCare offers highly specialized second medical opinions from the best medical centers in North America to local doctors for their patients. Over the past 12 years, WorldCare has handled over 16,000 Second Opinion studies worldwide.
