Sun Life U.S. is taking a more proactive approach to supporting members who receive a cancer diagnosis by automatically reaching out to eligible individuals when they submit a cancer related disability or critical illness claim. The company will connect qualified members to its Expert Cancer Review service, provided through an employer’s Sun Life stop loss policy. To access the service, members must be enrolled in Sun Life disability or supplemental health benefits in addition to being covered under the employer’s stop loss arrangement.
Expert Cancer Review offers individuals diagnosed with cancer a documented second opinion from an independent oncology specialist. The goal is to give members greater clarity around their diagnosis and treatment plan at a time when decisions can feel overwhelming. Internal data from 2024 through 2025 shows that 41 percent of second opinions arranged through Sun Life led to a revised diagnosis or a meaningful adjustment in diagnostic approach or recommended treatment. These findings highlight how frequently additional clinical review can influence care decisions.
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Joi Tillman, president, Group Benefits, Sun Life U.S., explained that reaching out at the time a claim is filed allows the company to engage members earlier in their health journey. She noted that cancer diagnoses often coincide with financial stress, and Sun Life disability and supplemental health benefits are designed to replace income and provide cash payments that help cover out of pocket expenses. By pairing financial protection with access to Expert Cancer Review, Tillman said the company is strengthening how its Health and Risk Solutions capabilities connect with the overall Group Benefits experience. She added that this builds on last year’s expansion of Health Navigator personal care advisor services.
Cancer remains one of the most common and expensive medical conditions in the United States. Sun Life’s 2025 High Cost Claims Report found that the average annual cost of a cancer related claim reached approximately 235000 dollars for solid tumors and exceeded 300000 dollars for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Although Expert Cancer Review has been available through employer stop loss policies, the new proactive outreach ensures members learn about the service at a point when it can have the greatest impact.
Data from the National Institutes of Health shows rising cancer incidence among people under age 50, many of whom are still active in the workforce. Sun Life’s claims analysis indicates that solid tumors among adults ages 40 to 59 accounted for more than 40 percent of total medical spending across its stop loss claims in 2024. As more working age adults face complex cancer diagnoses, employers are looking for benefits solutions that combine medical guidance with financial protection.
Jen Collier, president, Health and Risk Solutions, Sun Life U.S., said that independent second opinions can help reduce the risk of misdiagnosis and prevent unnecessary or ineffective treatments. She emphasized that when care is more precise and aligned with best practices, it can lead to better outcomes for patients and more efficient use of healthcare dollars. Collier added that proactively guiding eligible members to Expert Cancer Review supports employers who want to help their workforce remain productive or return to work following treatment.
Sun Life has continued to integrate its benefit offerings to simplify the experience for members dealing with serious illness. In addition to healthcare navigation and second opinion services, the company automatically checks eligibility for critical illness or cancer benefits when a high cost cancer claim is submitted under a stop loss policy. If coverage is confirmed, payment is issued without requiring the member to submit a separate claim. Expert Cancer Review is delivered through Sun Life Health Navigator, which connects members with personal health advisors who assist in finding appropriate doctors, coordinating care, and evaluating treatment options. Second opinions are a central feature of this service, helping individuals make informed decisions during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
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