Manulife Financial Enhances Plan Member Services with Introduction of Online Claims Submission at Point of Care

Implements TELUS Health's industry-leading eClaims platform

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK:945 

WATERLOO, ON, April 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial today announced an agreement with TELUS Health to extend their existing suite of e-Claims solutions by offering healthcare professionals a new method to simplify and accelerate the submission and reimbursement of extended healthcare claims. The eClaims web portal will compliment Manulife's plan member Online Claims Submission, a popular function of their Plan Member Secure Site.

The flexibility of the eClaims platform, combined with TELUS Health's commitment to improving patient experience, driving efficiency and expertise in electronic health records, ensures that Manulife plan members and allied healthcare providers will continue to benefit from the most innovative solutions that strive to achieve better health outcomes for all Canadians.

"Manulife has a long tradition of responding to customer needs when designing products and services. We are thrilled to introduce another method for submitting claims," said Sue Reibel, Senior Vice-President, Group Business Development, Manulife Financial. "It's important for us to bring our clients a solution that offers convenience but ensures the integrity of our claims adjudication process.  By partnering with TELUS Health we've found an ideal way of doing just that."

"At TELUS Health, we are committed to cultivating strong relationships with customers and providers across Canada to enhance the patient experience," said Luc Vilandre, Vice-President, Health Benefits Management, TELUS Health. "We are excited to be working with Manulife to deliver solutions that simplify processes, streamline communication among all parties and ultimately, bring real value to their plan members and sponsors, as well as the healthcare provider community."

The TELUS Health eClaims solution enables allied healthcare providers (including physiotherapists, chiropractors, vision care providers, as well as acupuncturists, registered massage therapists, naturopathic doctors, and others) to submit claims online on behalf of patients for an end-to-end electronic experience.

TELUS Health is a leader in Canada's claims and benefits management sector, providing drug claims processing for over 12 million Canadians.  With Manulife on board, the TELUS Health eClaims solution will support point-of-care claims for 80% of the private insurance community across Canada, Today, close to 15,000 allied healthcare providers are already offering the service.

About TELUS Health
TELUS Health is a leader in telehomecare, electronic medical and health records, consumer health, benefits management and pharmacy management. TELUS Health gives health authorities, providers, physicians, patients and consumers the power to turn information into better health outcomes. For more information about TELUS Health, please visit telushealth.com.

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$532 billion (US$535 billion) as at December 31, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation