Marvin OnumonuCanada Life has extended its WeCare wellbeing service to all 2.8 million people covered by its group protection policies.
Access will be available to insured members, their partners and immediate families from today, 1st October 2025, following their employer’s annual policy renewal.
The service now comes in two levels to support health and wellbeing as people live and work longer.
All group scheme members, including those under group life, can use WeCare’s 24/7 GP service by phone and video, mental health counselling, round-the-clock mental health helpline, bereavement and probate support, nutrition advice, an improved Get Fit programme and the myStrength emotional wellbeing app.
Group income protection and group critical insurance members can now also use a new virtual physio service for musculoskeletal conditions.
This includes video consultations with a chartered physiotherapist and a personalised exercise programme, supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and physiotherapist feedback.
Group income protection and group critical insurance members continue to have access to financial and legal support, plus the WeCare second medical opinion service, where conditions, diagnosis or treatment can be reviewed by global medical experts.
All WeCare services are provided by Teladoc Health UK.
The wider access is designed to help employees and their families prevent health issues that could impact their work.
Canada Life’s Life100 research looked at how workplaces are adapting as people work longer.
It found one in six (18%) people in the UK retired early for physical health reasons, while 11% retired before reaching state pension age for mental health reasons.
Over three-quarters (77%) of people said it was important for employers to help people adapt and work for longer. Interest in health and wellbeing programmes rose with age.
Among employers, 68% said there was a growing role for businesses to provide services and benefits to help older workers stay in work.
Chris Morgan, head of product & proposition strategy, protection at Canada Life, said: “Taking care of our health is vital if we’re to continue to enjoy a long and happy working life, and it’s clear both employees and employers need to adapt to do that.
“We’ve upgraded WeCare access to expand on the positive impact its wellbeing services already provide to customers who have used it.
“By opening WeCare access to all insured members and adding virtual physio, the service becomes even more relevant to the health situations many workers face.”
Morgan added: “It encourages day-to-day preventative healthcare and allows people to continue to enjoy the benefits of work life while reducing the time they might need out of work to manage health issues.”
In 2024, WeCare delivered over 24,000 remote GP appointments through Teladoc Health UK.
As a result, 53% of patients avoided taking time off work and 30% returned to work more quickly.
Almost 3,000 second medical opinion consultations were delivered, leading to a change of treatment for 25% of patients and a change in diagnosis for 22%.
More than 12,000 mental health consultations took place, with users reporting overall mental health improvement in 85% of cases, increased happiness for 77%, reduced anxiety for 59% and improved ability to cope for 57%.
Morgan said: “Evidence shows WeCare has a positive impact on people’s health.
“It provides a foundation from which members can manage their future health and wellbeing.
“As a leading group protection provider, we’re well-placed to support the welfare of working people.
“By extending WeCare’s services to all insured members and their immediate families, we’re supporting employers whose aim is to do that too.”
