Manulife Canada has entered into a strategic partnership with Osara Health to pilot Cancer Coach, a structured support program for people navigating cancer treatment, recovery and the day-to-day impact of a diagnosis.
The program, initially available to select Manulife Group Benefits members with disability coverage, is designed to sit alongside clinical care and focus on practical issues such as sleep, energy, nutrition, stress and return‑to‑work planning.
Cancer remains a major challenge for Canadian employers and insurers. The Canadian Cancer Society estimated there would be 254,800 new cancer diagnoses in 2025, up more than 3% from the prior year, and that roughly 44% of women and 45% of men will develop cancer in their lifetime, with about 40% of diagnoses occurring during working years (ages 20–64). Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada, underscoring the demand for broader support beyond treatment alone.
“A cancer diagnosis changes everything for individuals and their families – at home, at work, and in daily routines. It’s time we broaden our focus and provide holistic support that helps members manage more aspects of this disease,” said Doug Bryce, head of health, Manulife Canada. He said the partnership is intended to offer “practical, personalized support” around symptoms, well‑being, work and family life, and noted that it aligns with Manulife’s global strategy to use innovation and partnerships to improve health outcomes.
Under the partnership, eligible Manulife plan members will be able to access clinicians with experience in areas such as nursing, oncology nutrition and exercise physiology, working with a Canada‑based cancer coach. Participants will receive weekly digital education with evidence‑informed guidance, as well as access to Osara Health’s app for symptom logging, progress tracking and additional resources. The program includes support for return‑to‑work planning tailored to individual circumstances.
“At Osara Health we believe the care experience shouldn’t center on treatment alone,” said Tim Atkins, co‑founder of Osara Health. “Through our Cancer Coach program, we provide personalized support focused on the priorities that shape quality of life, including practical guidance, behavior change, emotional support, and help navigating what comes next.”
The Cancer Coach pilot will be offered to a defined segment of Manulife’s group disability block and will be evaluated before any broader rollout.
For benefits insurers and plan sponsors, cancer is consistently among the top drivers of long‑term disability claims and high‑cost drug spend. Traditionally, disability management has focused on adjudication and duration control.
Programs such as Cancer Coach reflect a shift toward earlier, condition‑specific interventions that aim to support functional recovery and workplace reintegration, rather than treating health and work as separate tracks, the company said.
The use of an app for symptom tracking and progress logging also fits with a wider move toward digital health tools in group insurance.
Subject to privacy and consent, aggregated and de‑identified data from these platforms can help carriers and employers better understand how specific symptoms, treatments and workplace factors relate to absence duration and return‑to‑work outcomes, and can inform case management and benefit design.
The initiative is tied to the Manulife Longevity Institute, the company’s global research and innovation platform focused on helping people live longer, healthier and more financially secure lives. For brokers and consultants advising mid‑ to large‑size employers, the pilot will be of interest as they assess how condition‑specific coaching and digital support may fit into broader strategies for managing complex, high‑cost conditions within group benefits programs.
