- WeCare services now accessible through a single app and portal
- Virtual physio with tailored AI support added for GIP and GCI members
Canada Life has enhanced its WeCare wellbeing support services and extended access to all 2.8 million people covered by a group protection policy, to support workplaces preparing for people living and working longer.
WeCare is now available to all insured group protection scheme members plus their partner and immediate family1 from the date of their employer’s annual policy renewal, effective 1 October 2025. The app and portal have been upgraded into two levels of service to help employers support their employees’ longevity, health and wellbeing.
All group scheme members, including under Group Life, have access to WeCare’s 24/7 phone and video GP service, as well as mental health counselling, a 24/7 mental health helpline, bereavement and probate support, plus nutrition and an improved Get Fit programme, self-help articles and emotional wellbeing app myStrength.
Group Income Protection (GIP) and Group Critical Insurance (GCI) members can now also access a new virtual physio service to help manage their musculoskeletal health. Booking a video consultation and assessment with a chartered physiotherapist provides them with a tailored rehabilitation exercise programme. The programme is supported by AI, giving the patient real-time video and audio feedback while they are doing the exercises as well as physiotherapist feedback on their treatment plan progress.
GIP and GCI members also have continued finance and legal support alongside WeCare’s second medical opinion service, so they may have their condition, diagnosis or treatment reviewed by one of 50,000 top-tier medical experts globally.
All of WeCare’s services continue to be provided by global telehealth experts Teladoc Health UK.
SUPPORTING WORKERS’ NEEDS
Canada Life has widened access to WeCare’s integrated support services to help employees plus their families prevent healthcare issues that could affect their ability to work and help manage some of the most common wellbeing challenges.
In-house analysis of its 2024 claims paid2 revealed enhanced WeCare access might be valuable to people with mental health and musculoskeletal conditions in particular, as claims data analysis revealed:
- cancer is still the most common reason for a claim under group life, group income protection and group critical illness policies,
- followed by mental illness and musculoskeletal conditions for GIP, as well as
- heart conditions for GCI.
The WeCare upgrades also follow Canada Life’s recent Life100 research, which looks at how UK workplaces adapt to becoming longevity-ready. A key finding of the Life100 research3 was that one in six members of the UK public (18%) retired early for physical health reasons, while 11% said they retired before State Pension Age for their mental health.
The study also found over three-quarters (77%) of people felt it important that employers take a more active role in helping people adapt and work for longer, and their interest in health and wellbeing programmes increases with people’s age.
It's a sentiment that employers largely agree with – 68% said there’s an increasing role for employers to provide services and benefits that enable older workers to stay in work for longer.
Chris Morgan, Head of Product & Proposition Strategy, Protection at Canada Life, commented: “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. 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.”
WECARE HELP DELIVERED
In 2024, WeCare services, delivered by Teladoc Health UK, provided its members with over 24,000 remote GP appointments4. It means 53% of patients avoided the need to take time off work and 30%5 returned to work more quickly.
WeCare also delivered almost 3,000 second medical opinion consultations, which resulted in a change of treatment for 25% of patients and change in diagnosis for 22% of people.
In addition, over 12,000 mental health consultations were delivered in 2024, which users say led to:
- overall mental health improvement in 85% of cases,
- increased happiness for 77% of people
- reduction in anxiety for 59%, and
- 57% said it improved their ability to cope.
Morgan continued: “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.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
Sources:
- WeCare is a non-contractual benefit provided to insured group protection scheme members on behalf of Canada Life UK by global telehealth provider Teladoc Health UK Ltd. It covers the member, their partner and their children up to age 21.
- Canada Life UK internal MI, group protection claims paid from 1 January to 31 December 2024
- Research for “Building longevity-ready workplaces in the UK” was conducted by @the Big Window Consulting. Findings are based on a representative sample of 3,200 adults across the UK (quantitative survey conducted February 2025) and with 600 employers of varying sizes (March 2025).
- WeCare usage data supplied by Teladoc Health UK Ltd data measures from 1 January to 31 December 2024
- Patient survey conducted by Teladoc Health UK Ltd on behalf of Canada Life UK from November 2023 to May 2025.
Enquiries:
Press enquiries should be directed to:
Julie Hughes-Edwards, Canada Life, +44 7803 249343, julie.hughes-edwards@canadalife.co.uk
Rebecca Gladstone, Canada Life, +44 7833 085387, rebecca.gladstone@canadalife.co.uk
About Canada Life:
Canada Life is part of a group of companies controlled by Great-West Lifeco Inc., a Canadian headquartered, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Through its subsidiary companies, Great-West Lifeco operates in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.
Canada Life Limited began operations in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1903 and provides UK individuals and businesses with a range of retirement, investment, insurance and wealth solutions. Canada Life offers individual annuities, pension de-risking solutions, home finance, estate planning and investment options, and workplace protection products.
Canada Life Limited (no.973271) is registered in England and Wales, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Stonehaven UK Limited (no.05487702), trading as Canada Life, is registered in England and Wales and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Canada Life International Limited (no.033178C) and CLI Institutional Limited (no.108017C) are Isle of Man registered companies authorised and regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Canada Life International Assurance (Ireland) DAC (no. 440141) and Canada Life International Assurance (Ireland) DAC are authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Canada Life Asset Management is the brand for investment management activities undertaken by Canada Life Asset Management Limited (no.3846821), Canada Life Limited and Canada Life European Real Estate Limited (no.03846823). Canada Life Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Please note that while Canada Life Limited and Canada Life Asset Management Limited are regulated as stated above, property management and the provision of commercial mortgages are not regulated activities.
www.canadalifeassetmanagement.co.uk