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Manulife adds AI-backed virtual physiotherapy for disability claimants. The program targets musculoskeletal claims first and will open to all extended health members in 2027 29 Sep 2026 Manulife Canada is rolling out virtual physiotherapy for group benefits members off work with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, through a partnership with digital health company Sword. The first phase covers eligible members on disability leave with acute or chronic conditions such as neck, back and joint pain. They will work with licensed Canadian physiotherapists remotely, using a motion-tracking tablet that Manulife says is approved by Health Canada. The setup supports personalized treatment plans, progress tracking in real time, and ongoing contact with a care team. Next year, the program will widen to all Manulife group benefits members with extended health care coverage, not just those already on claim. "The rehabilitation process isn't always straightforward, and accessing care can be a challenge," said Doug Bryce, head of health at Manulife Canada. Bryce said the aim was to get members into physiotherapy faster and wherever suited them best, so they stayed engaged in recovery. André Eiras, senior vice president of international at Sword, said geography and limited mobility often stood between Canadians and timely care. He said the partnership would bring treatment directly to members. Why MSK is the target. The focus reflects where disability costs sit. Musculoskeletal conditions remain the leading driver of long-term disability claims, according to Denis Guay, president of global benefits at HUB International, who told IB earlier this year that mental health has overtaken them as a leading cause of short-term claims. Speed matters in those cases. Jen Robertson, AVP of disability claims at Co-operators, said in June that how a claim is handled in its first 30 days strongly shapes claimant engagement and how long the claim lasts. Remote physiotherapy that starts without a clinic waitlist is aimed squarely at that window. The move also fits a wider industry push to strip friction out of disability claims. The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has introduced a standardized medical form for disability claims, building on earlier moves by insurers to drop physician referral requirements for services such as physiotherapy. What is actually new. Digital physiotherapy is not new to Canadian plans. Sword's Canadian website already lists Manulife among the carriers whose plans may cover its services. The difference here is that Manulife is building the service into its own disability management process, steering claimants toward it rather than leaving members to find and claim it themselves. The release does not say what role artificial intelligence plays in treatment beyond the motion-tracking hardware. It also doesn't say how the 2027 expansion will be funded. Plan sponsors will want to know whether sessions will count against members' existing physiotherapy maximums or sit outside them. What advisors will be watching. For group benefits advisors, the pitch to employers is straightforward. Faster access to rehabilitation should mean shorter claims and earlier returns to work, and with disability one of the harder lines to control on a renewal, that argument will resonate. The harder test comes after launch. Manulife has not published outcome targets or a timeline for reporting results. Until carrier data shows shorter claim durations for members using the service, advisors are likely to present it to clients as a promising feature rather than a proven cost lever. The 2027 expansion should raise that bar, because once the program is open to every extended health member, sponsors will judge it on utilization and plan costs as well as on disability outcomes.

Manulife Investments expands All-in-One active ETFs suite with All-Equity and All-Fixed Income portfolios and launches new Income ETF strategies for investors. Sep 29, 2026, 09:15 ET TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ - Manulife Investments announced today it has expanded its ETF lineup, bringing three new ETFs and one new ETF series to investors. Manulife Investments has added two Manulife All-in-One ETFs to its existing All-in-One ETF suite with actively managed asset allocation and diversified exposures across up to 15 equity and/or fixed income asset classes. The new All-in-One ETFs are Manulife All-Equity ETF Portfolio (Ticker: MEQP) and Manulife All-Fixed Income ETF Portfolio (Ticker: MBND). In addition, Manulife Investments is also launching Manulife Smart International Dividend ETF - USD (Ticker: IDUV.U), and Manulife Corporate Bond Fund ETF Series (Ticker: CORB). The ETFs and ETF Series have closed their initial offering and will begin trading on the TSX today. "The strong momentum across our ETF platform reflects the growing demand for actively managed solutions that help investors achieve better outcomes in an increasingly complex market environment," said Kristie Feinberg, Head of Retail, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management. "These new ETFs represent another important step in our commitment to innovation, expanding investor choice and delivering the investment expertise that advisors and clients expect from Manulife Investment Management. As we continue to grow our ETF platform, we remain focused on providing differentiated solutions that help investors meet their long-term financial goals." The Investment objectives of the new Manulife ETFs and Manulife ETF Series are as follows: * Manulife All-Equity ETF Portfolio (Ticker: MEQP) - Seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in underlying exchange traded funds and derivatives that provide exposure to global equity securities. * Manulife All-Fixed Income ETF Portfolio (Ticker: MBND) - Seeks to provide income and the potential for long-term capital appreciation by investing in underlying exchange-traded funds that provide exposure to global fixed income securities. * Manulife Smart International Dividend ETF - USD (Ticker: IDUV.U) - Seeks to provide a steady flow of U.S. dollar income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of international dividend paying securities. * Manulife Corporate Bond Fund ETF Series (Ticker: CORB) - Seeks to provide long-term returns and a steady flow of income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of Canadian and U.S. investment grade corporate and high yield bonds. "Our new All-in-One ETFs bring together some of our strongest active ETF capabilities in a single, professionally managed solution, making it easier for advisors to deliver diversified portfolios aligned to their clients' needs," added Jordy Chilcott, Head of Retail Intermediary Distribution, Canada, Manulife Investments. "As reporting requirements continue to evolve and advisors look for greater efficiency, we believe these single-ticket solutions bring together an interesting combination of active management, cost effectiveness, and ease of implementation." Commissions, management fees, brokerage fees and expenses all may be associated with exchange traded funds (ETFs) and ETF series. Please read the ETF Facts and prospectus before investing. ETFs and ETF series are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Manulife ETFs and ETF series of Manulife Mutual Funds are managed by Manulife Investments. Manulife Investments is a trade name of Manulife Investment Management Limited. Manulife, Manulife & Design, Stylized M Design, and Manulife Investments are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and by its affiliates under license. About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management's mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by helping people invest confidently to pursue a more secure financial future. Our strength comes from the diversity of our global asset management expertise and distribution capabilities. Our global investment teams span equities, fixed income, alternative credit, private markets, and multi-asset solutions. We provide investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to millions of individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the heart of our approach are three cultural pillars: Partner for Progress, Trust through Transparency, and Intellectual Curiosity. These values shape how we build long-term relationships, develop differentiated investment strategies, and empower advisors and clients to seek meaningful financial outcomes. Whether through cutting-edge technology, AI innovation, personalized advice, or sustainable stewardship, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management is a trusted partner helping clients navigate complexity and invest with confidence. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com. Media Contact SOURCE Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

Manulife Canada partners with Sword to launch AI-enabled physiotherapy solution to support faster recovery and return-to-work outcomes. Sep 29, 2026, 08:00 ET Innovative new program helps Canadians on disability leave access personalized, technology-enabled physiotherapy from home TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2026 /CNW/ - Manulife Canada today announced it has partnered with Sword(R), a global AI health company to offer AI-enabled physiotherapy to eligible Group Benefits members. This innovative, technology-enabled program is designed to support members on disability experiencing acute or chronic Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, like neck, back and joint pain, and help improve recovery outcomes that support a safe and sustainable return to work. Musculoskeletal conditions are among the leading causes of disability and workplace absence in Canada[1], often making it difficult for individuals to work, stay active, and participate fully in everyday life. Through this partnership, Manulife is expanding its disability support ecosystem with an innovative, evidence-based clinical solution that can help members access physiotherapy more quickly and conveniently, supporting better health outcomes and a faster return to work. "When you're dealing with an injury, recovery is about more than healing. It's about getting back to your routine, your work and the people and activities you care about," said Doug Bryce, Head of Health, Manulife Canada. "The rehabilitation process isn't always straightforward, and accessing care can be a challenge. Through our partnership with Sword, we're making it easier for members to access physiotherapy faster and more seamlessly, wherever it's most convenient for them, helping them stay engaged in their recovery and get back to doing the things that matter most." The first phase of this partnership will provide eligible members on disability with access to licensed Canadian physiotherapists, supported by a Health Canada-approved motion-tracking tablet. Together, these tools enable personalized treatment plans, real-time progress tracking, educational resources, and ongoing communication with care teams, helping members stay on track throughout their recovery journey. In 2027, Manulife and Sword will advance to the next phase of the partnership, expanding the program to all Group Benefits members with Extended Health Care coverage and increasing access to physiotherapy support across Canada. "Many Canadians face challenges accessing timely care due to geographic barriers and mobility limitations," said André Eiras, SVP of International, Sword. "We're proud to partner with Manulife to bring high-quality care directly to members, helping them manage pain, improve mobility, and build confidence throughout their recovery." The launch reflects Manulife's continued investment in innovative health solutions that improve access to care, support employee well-being, and help employers manage the growing impact of disability in the workplace. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. | [_____________________________] | | [1] Manulife claims data analysis, 2023 | About Sword For most of history, access to high-quality healthcare has been a privilege of circumstance. Sword exists to change that. As a frontier AI company, Sword builds the foundational models that healthcare needs, training them for clinical reasoning and safety. Its AI Care platform puts those models to work alongside licensed clinicians and care teams, treating more than 1 million patients directly across physical pain, women's health, mental health, and cardiometabolic care, and orchestrating care for millions more worldwide. Sword is trusted by more than 2,500 of the world's most sophisticated organizations, including sovereign governments, the US military, and the largest Fortune 500 companies, delivering high-quality care and more than $1.5 billion in healthcare savings to date. Learn more at sword.com. Media Contact: SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation