Sun Life U.S. has broadened its Expert Cancer Review (ECR) program, now automatically offering independent oncology second‑opinions to members who file cancer‑related disability or supplemental health claims. The service is delivered through employers’ stop‑loss policies and is triggered the moment a claim is filed, ensuring that patients receive expert input at the earliest possible stage of their treatment journey.
In the 2024‑2025 period, 41 % of ECR second opinions resulted in a change in diagnosis or a shift in treatment strategy, underscoring the program’s clinical impact and its potential to reduce costly misdiagnoses and unnecessary procedures. The high rate of actionable findings suggests that proactive engagement can improve care quality and lower overall claim severity for Sun Life’s stop‑loss portfolio.
Cancer claims remain a major driver of high‑cost medical spend. Sun Life’s 2025 High Cost Claims Report shows average annual cancer claim costs of roughly $235,000 for solid cancers and over $300,000 for blood cancers, with solid cancers in adults aged 40‑59 accounting for more than 40 % of total medical spend in 2024. By providing early expert review, the expanded ECR service targets this cost‑intensive segment directly.
Sun Life’s financial foundation supports the expansion. The company reported Q4 2025 underlying net income of CAD 1.094 billion, a 13 % year‑over‑year increase, and underlying earnings per share of CAD 1.96, beating consensus estimates. With a market capitalization of about $36 billion, a dividend yield of 4.05 %, and total assets under management of C$1.6 trillion as of December 31 2025, Sun Life has the capital and liquidity to invest in and scale its health‑solutions offerings.
Strategically, the proactive ECR rollout strengthens Sun Life’s health and risk‑solutions portfolio, supports employees’ return‑to‑work plans, and positions the company to manage the rising cost of cancer claims more effectively. By integrating expert second opinions at the point of claim filing, Sun Life aims to improve treatment confidence, reduce unnecessary procedures, and ultimately lower claim severity for its U.S. stop‑loss business.
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