Addressing healthcare disruption post hurricanes: Sun Life teams up with Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care to help members

Rhea-AI Summary

Sun Life U.S., through Health Navigator powered by PinnacleCare, is collaborating with Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care to address healthcare disruptions caused by recent hurricanes. The initiative aims to help members in affected areas access needed care and medications. Sun Life is opening up its Health Navigator to all stop-loss clients and their employees, providing one-on-one support from care advisors.

The collaboration offers services including urgent care, primary care, prescription medication deliveries, and personalized health advocacy through a dedicated phone number and website. This effort addresses the challenges posed by damaged facilities, medical supply shortages, and evacuations in hurricane-affected areas.

Sun Life clients and members affected by the hurricanes are encouraged to reach out if they need assistance with payments or benefit arrangements. Information on accessing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) is also available.

Positive

• Expansion of Health Navigator services to all stop-loss clients and their employees
• Collaboration with multiple healthcare partners to provide comprehensive care options
• Offering of urgent care, primary care, and prescription medication deliveries to affected members
• Provision of personalized health advocacy and navigation assistance

Negative

• None.

Insights

Healthcare Analyst

This collaboration between Sun Life and healthcare partners is a strategic move to address the healthcare disruption caused by recent hurricanes. By leveraging telemedicine and care navigation services, they're filling a critical gap in affected areas. This initiative demonstrates Sun Life's commitment to member care and could potentially enhance client retention and satisfaction.

The partnership may lead to increased utilization of Sun Life's Health Navigator service, potentially driving revenue growth in their Health and Risk Solutions segment. However, the financial impact is likely to be in the short term, as this appears to be a temporary measure focused on disaster relief rather than a permanent expansion of services.

While this initiative showcases Sun Life's adaptability and customer-centric approach, it's unlikely to significantly impact the company's overall financial performance. Investors should view this as a positive for brand reputation and customer loyalty, which could have long-term benefits for client retention and acquisition in the competitive insurance market.

Insurance Industry Expert

Sun Life's response to the hurricane-induced healthcare disruption is a textbook example of how insurers can leverage partnerships to enhance their value proposition during crises. By offering Health Navigator services to all stop-loss clients, Sun Life is potentially expanding its user base for this product, which could lead to increased adoption post-crisis.

The collaboration with Amaze Health, AYG Wellness and Virtual Wellness Care demonstrates Sun Life's agility in assembling a comprehensive care solution. This could strengthen Sun Life's position in the stop-loss market, where differentiation through value-added services is crucial.

From an investor's perspective, while this initiative may not directly impact short-term financials, it reinforces Sun Life's commitment to innovation and customer service. This could translate to improved client retention rates and potentially lower claim costs in the affected areas, as timely access to care can prevent more serious health issues.

WELLESLEY, Mass., Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of the devastating hurricanes that have disrupted healthcare services across several states, Sun Life U.S., through Health Navigator powered by PinnacleCare, are working with Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care to help members in affected areas access needed care and medications.

Sun Life U.S., Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care team up to fill healthcare gaps post hurricanes.

Sun Life is opening up its Health Navigator to all stop-loss clients and their employees. Health Navigator's care advisors provide one-on-one support to members, leveraging extensive relationships with physicians, specialists, and centers of excellence around the country to help them get the best care for their specific medical condition or preventive care needs.

"The recent hurricanes caused unbelievable destruction to many lives and infrastructure, including health care. It is clear the recovery will take some time," said Jen Collier, president of Health and Risk Solutions, Sun Life U.S. "With facilities damaged, shortages in medical supplies and staffing, and evacuations, access to healthcare has become a challenge. To address this gap, we are collaborating with healthcare partners to offer convenient services by phone or designated website, ensuring members get the care they need during this stressful and uncertain time."  

Through the combination of health capabilities of Health Navigator, Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care, health plan members of stop-loss clients will be able to access urgent care and primary care, get prescription medication deliveries to their homes, shelters, or hotels, and receive personalized health advocacy and navigation assistance through a dedicated phone number and website.

"In times of crisis, accessing local medical resources can be difficult, said David Silverstein, the CEO of Amaze Health. "The doctor's office may be closed, the dentist's office flooded, and the local emergency room overloaded. Our national medical practice makes resources from all over the country available at the touch of a button."

"We are happy to be working with Sun Life's Health Navigator and AYG Wellness on the recent disaster relief efforts. The Virtual Wellness High technology works extremely well with Health Navigator's high-touch philosophy," said Todd Wesson, CEO of Virtual Wellness Care. "This collaboration will make access to healthcare easier and more convenient to those affected by the recent hurricanes"

"At AYG Wellness, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality care, especially in times of crisis," said Andrea Millsap-Bolden, CEO of AYG Wellness. "Our partnership is about bringing much-needed support to communities impacted by the hurricanes. By leveraging innovative technology and personalized service, we are committed to ensuring that individuals and families can access the care and resources they need to begin their journey toward recovery. Together, we're offering more than just aid—we're providing a pathway to hope, healing, and a healthier future."

Sun Life clients and members affected by the recent hurricanes are also encouraged to reach out to Sun Life if they have questions, need extra time to make payments, or need to arrange other ways to receive their benefits. All of the information, including guidance on accessing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), can be found here.

About Sun Life
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 June 30, 2024, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.46 trillion. 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 U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the healthcare 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 healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,500 people in the U.S., including associates in our 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.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contact:

Anjie Coplin
Sun Life U.S.
Anjie.Coplin@sunlife.com

Connect with Sun Life U.S.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial  

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

FAQ

What services is Sun Life U.S. offering to help members affected by recent hurricanes?

Sun Life U.S. is offering access to urgent care, primary care, prescription medication deliveries, and personalized health advocacy through Health Navigator and partnerships with Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care.

How can Sun Life U.S. stop-loss clients access Health Navigator services?

Sun Life U.S. has opened up its Health Navigator to all stop-loss clients and their employees, providing one-on-one support from care advisors through a dedicated phone number and website.

What assistance is available for Sun Life (SLF) clients affected by the hurricanes?

Sun Life (SLF) clients affected by the hurricanes can reach out for assistance with payment arrangements, alternative ways to receive benefits, and guidance on accessing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).

Who are the healthcare partners collaborating with Sun Life U.S. for hurricane relief efforts?

Sun Life U.S. is collaborating with Amaze Health, AYG Wellness, and Virtual Wellness Care to provide healthcare services to members affected by recent hurricanes.