"Hey Google, can I speak to Sun Life?"

Ella, Sun Life's digital coach, now available to all Canadians

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Whether you're searching for a trusted chiropractor near work, or a dentist close to home, Ella, Sun Life's new digital coach, is accessible to every Canadian. Harnessing the technology of the Google Assistant, Canadians can tap into Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada's ("Sun Life") interactive and bilingual coach for help finding local healthcare practitioners on their Google Home devices.

It's as simple as saying, "Hey Google, can I speak to Sun Life?" Google Assistant will then connect you to Ella who can search the closest and top rated healthcare providers such as: dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists.

"Ella, our digital coach, allows every Canadian to benefit from what Sun Life can offer," said Dave Jones, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, Sun Life Financial Canada. "In today's complicated world we can all use reliable advice when searching for healthcare. We are thrilled to share our provider network and the power of the Sun Life community through Ella on Google Home."

Ella's search function is powered by ratings on over 100,000 healthcare service providers. Sun Life Clients are asked on a scale from one to five to rate their provider when submitting a claim online or through the Sun Life mobile app, so far generating over three million ratings.

Once an individual selects their service provider, Ella can send the user a text message containing the service provider, location and contact information to schedule an appointment.

"Our goal is to help Canadians make informed decisions when managing their health and wellness," said Chris Denys, Senior Vice-President of Possibilities, Digital Health Solutions, Sun Life Financial Canada. "As the leading group benefits provider in Canada, with 50 million health touchpoints with Canadians per year, we are constantly exploring the latest and greatest in digital innovations that support Canadians and their health needs."

This new digital enhancement is Sun Life's latest move as it continues to transform its business by leveraging data and analytics in new and exciting ways. Sun Life recently announced a new collaboration with SecureKey Technologies Inc., a leading provider of identity and authentication solutions. SecureKey's solutions will make it even easier for Clients to do business with Sun Life, enabling them to conveniently and securely share identity information using other trusted providers, such as banks, telcos and governments. 

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $934 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted. 

Media Relations Contact:
Kim Armstrong
Manager, Media & PR
Corporate Communications
T. 416-979-6207
kim.armstrong@sunlife.com

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada