Desjardins Insurance has partnered with AI health company Sword Health to provide more than 2.1 million Canadians, including dependents and those on disability, access to clinically validated digital healthcare through the latter's Thrive physiotherapy and Bloom pelvic health solutions.
The collaboration is designed to give plan members timely, preventive care while aligning with evolving demands in employer-sponsored and group insurance settings.
The partnership leverages Sword Health’s digital-first model, combining licensed physiotherapists with AI-driven guidance and real-time biofeedback from Canada Health–certified devices. Desjardins Insurance selected Sword Health for its proven outcomes in musculoskeletal (MSK) care, cost-effectiveness, and flexible technology-enabled delivery. Members can access care from home without a referral, completing a brief onboarding form to give their physiotherapist a comprehensive view of their health and recovery goals.
Musculoskeletal conditions remain a leading cause of chronic pain, disability, and lost productivity in Canada, exacerbated by sedentary work patterns and poor ergonomics. Pelvic health care, meanwhile, has historically faced limited access due to provider shortages and stigma, despite one in three women experiencing a pelvic floor disorder during their lifetime. Sword’s Bloom solution addresses this gap with discreet, AI-guided at-home care.
For insurers, integrating digital health solutions offers measurable benefits. Early Canadian results from Sword Health include a 9.3 satisfaction score among members, shorter disability durations, and improved workplace productivity. By embedding these digital solutions into its insurance offerings, Desjardins can help manage claims costs while enhancing member outcomes. The partnership also underscores the increasing role of technology in insurance-based health benefits, providing scalable, cost-effective care that reduces reliance on in-person visits.
Desjardins Insurance sees the initiative as part of a broader strategy to prioritize preventive care, improve accessibility, and enhance overall member well-being. By investing in AI-enabled MSK and pelvic health solutions, the insurer is expanding coverage options in a market where access to timely care is a growing concern. The collaboration positions Desjardins to respond to the dual pressures of rising healthcare costs and a shortage of clinicians, while supporting plan members’ recovery and long-term health outcomes.
For Sword Health, the agreement marks a significant expansion in Canada’s payor segment, building on its global relationships with health plans. Both organizations aim to set new standards for accessibility, engagement, and efficiency in insurance-backed digital care, demonstrating how AI-powered healthcare can complement traditional insurance models and improve value for both members and insurers.
