MARKHAM, ON, June 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Saint Elizabeth is pleased to announce a new partnership with insurance carrier Medavie Blue Cross, designed to improve the health of Canadians.

Medavie Blue Cross is now offering Saint Elizabeth's national virtual health coaching service as part of its Managing Chronic Disease extended health benefit program, delivered through a nation-wide network of providers. The partnership will allow specially-qualified clinicians to help plan members and their families take action and stay on track with better chronic disease management and healthy lifestyle choices.

"The high rate of chronic disease in Canada is a serious challenge," notes Shirlee Sharkey, CEO of Saint Elizabeth. "Engaging patients in their own health and wellbeing will benefit families, employers and society, while reducing the burden on our health care system. We are excited to be working with Medavie Blue Cross and leveraging our shared not-for-profit values to bring about positive change."

Effective immediately, plan members of Medavie Blue Cross and their families can access comprehensive coaching and customized health care services to assist with:

• Better Heart Health
• Diabetes Care
• Quit Smoking
• Better Lung health

"Medavie Blue Cross is committed to work with strong partners to provide easier access to quality care and improve patient health outcomes," says Anne Nicoll, Vice-President, Business Development at Medavie Blue Cross. "The deep clinical roots and expertise of Saint Elizabeth allow us to help members across Canada take charge of their health, developing action plans and goal setting."

Together, Saint Elizabeth and Medavie Blue Cross have almost 200 years of combined history in providing health services and solutions to meet the needs of Canadians.

In 2015, Medavie Blue Cross became the first benefit provider in Canada to offer chronic disease management as an extended health care benefit in group and individual plans, with a focus on removing potential barriers to self-care.

FAST FACTS:

• Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide (World Health Organization)
• Almost 60% of employees are living with a chronic disease, contributing to lost productivity, higher drug spends and more disability claims (Sanofi Canada)
• Since 2015, Saint Elizabeth has provided more than 3,000 virtual coaching sessions with high satisfaction rates – 90% of clients would recommend the service

About Saint Elizabeth
Saint Elizabeth is a national social enterprise providing home care, health solutions and education to people where they are and when they need it. With Canadian roots and more than 100 years of expertise, the not-for-profit charitable organization is accelerating health care innovation to support healthy lives globally. Through its team of 9,000 health leaders, Saint Elizabeth delivers 20,000 care exchanges daily, totalling 50 million in the last decade alone. Learn more at saintelizabeth.com or find us on social media.

About Medavie Blue Cross
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits to plan members nation-wide. The organization also administers government-sponsored health programs across Canada. Medavie Blue Cross and Medavie Health Services, the largest private provider of Emergency Medical Services in Canada, are subsidiaries of Medavie. As a not-for-profit organization, Medavie Blue Cross is proud to commit an annual social dividend to the Medavie Health Foundation to promote healthier communities.