Manulife and Bayshore Healthcare Ltd. to Introduce a Preferred Provider Network to Manage Specialty Drugs

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK:945

WATERLOO, ON, Aug. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Manulife has entered into an exclusive partnership with one of Canada's leading health care providers, Bayshore HealthCare Ltd, to deliver a Specialty Drug Care program. The program features drug case management services and a preferred provider network.

Manulife's Specialty Drug Care program is designed to enhance patient care for individuals managing complex medical conditions treated with high cost specialty drugs. The program's case management services will include education, health coaching, side-effect management, medication adherence and regular follow-ups.

"This partnership is unique within the Canadian marketplace as it increases the level of care being provided to patients taking specialty drugs and with Bayshore's network of 10,000 healthcare professionals, we are delivering a national solution that is supported by community based resources," said Lisa Callaghan, Assistant Vice President Product Group Benefits, Manulife. "In addition, the program helps contain costs for our plan sponsors and members. With specialty drug costs increasing by 10 per cent year-over-year*, managing this trend is becoming increasingly important."

The pharmacy network will provide preferred pricing and will leverage Bayshore's Specialty Rx Pharmacy network to meet the logistical demands required to get these high cost medications safely in the hands of the patient at their home, infusion clinic, doctor's office or preferred pharmacy.

The Specialty Drug Care program features:

• Case management and care coordination
• Preferred pricing
• Access to financial and community resources
• National reach with community based support
• Options for medication dispensing and delivery
• Improved health outcomes

"Bayshore is very excited to partner with Manulife to provide tailored specialty drug case management for Manulife's plan members and their families. Our experienced nursing network, coupled with our expertise in managing pharmaceutical therapies and disease states, will lead to improving health outcomes through this new program," said Stuart J. Cottrelle, President of Bayshore HealthCare.

Specialty Drug Care is scheduled to be introduced later this year.

* Express Scripts Canada Drug Trend Report 2013.

** The Specialty Drug Care program will not be available to plan members in Quebec.

About Manulife

Manulife 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 and its subsidiaries were approximately C$637 billion (US$597 billion) as at June 30, 2014. Our group of companies operates as Manulife 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 can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

Bayshore HealthCare

Bayshore HealthCare Ltd. a Canadian-owned company, is one of the country's leading providers of home and community health care services. They provide services to government care programs, insurance companies, workers' compensation boards, health care organizations, the corporate sector and the public. The Bayshore brand extends across four business divisions: Bayshore Home Health (medical and non-medical home care and staffing services), Bayshore Specialty Rx (specialty pharmacy, infusion and pharmaceutical patient support services), Bayshore Therapy & Rehab (physiotherapy and rehabilitation services) and Bayshore Dialysis (dialysis centers). The company's goal is to enhance the quality of life, well-being, dignity and independence of Canadians of all ages. Bayshore HealthCare has been a recipient of Canada's Best Managed Companies award since 2006. For more information, call 1-844-218-5101 or visit www.bayshore.ca.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation

Media Contacts: 

Rebecca Freiburger
Director Media Relations, Manulife
519-503-6640
[email protected]

Jason Huehn
Bayshore HealthCare
905-822-8075 x32348
[email protected]