Manulife Canada is partnering with virtual health platform Maven Clinic to give its Group Benefits members access to digital programs for fertility, maternity, menopause, and pediatric care, addressing a recognized lack of coverage in the country.
Care on demand: Starting this fall, members can connect 24/7 with a global provider network across more than 30 specialties and in 35 languages. Manulife says it's the first Canadian insurer to offer these specific programs through Maven, framing it as a move to redefine comprehensive support during key life stages.
Mind the gap: The deal follows Manulife's own data showing a nearly 15% rise in fertility drug use while fewer than 1% of employers on its plans cover treatments like IVF. The insurer pointed to a national "fertility funding gap," where a single IVF cycle costs around $20,000.
Maven's momentum: This partnership is part of Maven's recent growth spurt. The company's expansion also includes a major 2024 deal with AT&T to cover its 125,000 employees.
The bigger picture: As traditional healthcare access remains a challenge, insurers are increasingly turning to specialized virtual platforms to fill critical service gaps and offer more inclusive benefits. Meanwhile, Manulife is focused on its tech governance, recently sharing its responsible AI principles for its 43+ generative AI use cases.
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