Expanding Pathways to Health and Wellbeing through Innovation
Insights from Benefits Together
“Imagine a workplace where employees have instant access to healthcare assessments, customized treatments, and proactive coaching, all seamlessly integrated within their daily lives. Imagine a world where an ADHD diagnosis doesn't take months. Where chronic conditions can be managed through remote monitoring. And, where financial stress doesn't get in the way of wellbeing. That's not the future; that's happening now.”
- Shane Reid, Vice President Product Management and Marketing, Medavie Blue Cross
At the Benefits Together conference—Medavie Blue Cross’s annual tri-city event for workplace wellness leaders, attendees learned how technology and innovation are changing how we support employee health and wellbeing.
A key highlight was a panel discussion led by Shane Reid, featuring three industry leaders who are reshaping the healthcare experience through digital platforms.
The panelists included:
- Eric Mac Nicoll of Kaira Technologies
- Dr. Hanif Chatur of Beyond ADHD
- Daniel Yeboah of Revella Health
Each is at the forefront of delivering human-centred care solutions. Their services, now available through Medavie Blue Cross’s Connected Care digital platform, address the growing need for accessible, personalized, and proactive healthcare support.
Together, they discussed how AI tools, combined with personalized coaching programs, are expanding access to care, improving outcomes, and tackling the connections between financial, mental, and physical health.
Financial wellness
Empowering employees with Kaira Technologies
Eric Mac Nicoll, a tech leader with over 25 years in financial services, founded Kaira Technologies to address a common but often overlooked issue: employees struggling with financial stress. It was while he was Senior Director of Digital Services for a company, he recognized the need to make financial counselling part of employers’ benefit offerings.
“Employees were coming (to the workplace) with troubles like “my wife lost her job’ or ‘someone in the family is sick” and it was impacting their finances. They were looking for support, and there wasn’t a program to offer, other than their EAP (Employee Assistance Program).”
- Eric Mac Nicoll
Financial wellness
Empowering employees with Kaira Technologies
Eric Mac Nicoll, a tech leader with over 25 years in financial services, founded Kaira Technologies to address a common but often overlooked issue: employees struggling with financial stress. It was while he was Senior Director of Digital Services for a company, he recognized the need to make financial counselling part of employers’ benefit offerings.
“Employees were coming (to the workplace) with troubles like “my wife lost her job’ or ‘someone in the family is sick” and it was impacting their finances. They were looking for support, and there wasn’t a program to offer, other than their EAP (Employee Assistance Program).”
- Eric Mac Nicoll
Key insights
- Nearly half (47%) of working Canadians live paycheck to paycheck, and 80% don’t have a financial advisor.
- Many people don’t know where to turn to get help, lack basic financial literacy, or feel embarrassed talking money — which can make financial challenges even harder to overcome.
- Finance is the number one source of stress for Canadian employees, according to the 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey.
- Financial stress not only impacts overall wellness, employee engagement and retention, costing Canadian companies billions of dollars in lost productivity.
“We decided to tackle the problem head-on with a financial wellness platform.”
- Eric Mac Nicoll
Kaira’s solution:
- A secure digital platform that allows members to complete a self-assessment to learn about their relationship with money and financial health.
- Securely connecting financial data from all financial institutions to view consolidated personal finances.
- An AI-enabled financial coaching with personalized recommendations that empower members to manage their finances effectively and work toward long-term financial success.
“If we don’t address their financial health, it will impact their physical and mental health.”
- Eric Mac Nicoll
Accessible ADHD care
Beyond ADHD
Dr. Hanif Chatur is an emergency room physician from New Brunswick and the founder and CEO of Beyond ADHD, a pioneering online clinic dedicated to diagnosing and treating ADHD.
His company was bourne out of the frustration and confusion he felt as a parent of four children with ADHD. Despite his deep knowledge of the public healthcare system and with numerous colleagues in the mental healthcare space, he struggled to get a timely and accurate diagnoses for his children.
He learned that other parents were facing the same challenges because there simply wasn’t a coordinated approach to assessment, treatment, advocacy, and portability for mental health conditions, especially ADHD.
Accessible ADHD care
Beyond ADHD
Dr. Hanif Chatur is an emergency room physician from New Brunswick and the founder and CEO of Beyond ADHD, a pioneering online clinic dedicated to diagnosing and treating ADHD.
His company was bourne out of the frustration and confusion he felt as a parent of four children with ADHD. Despite his deep knowledge of the public healthcare system and with numerous colleagues in the mental healthcare space, he struggled to get a timely and accurate diagnoses for his children.
He learned that other parents were facing the same challenges because there simply wasn’t a coordinated approach to assessment, treatment, advocacy, and portability for mental health conditions, especially ADHD.
“I was fortunate to have a lot of experience in the telemedicine space and realized that there was a great opportunity here to build a new standard, something that was affordable, accessible and compassionate.”
- Dr. Hanif Chatur
Key challenges
- ADHD affects 1.5 million Canadians, with significant impacts on education, work, and relationships.
- Many individuals remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leading to poor quality of life.
- When left untreated, ADHD can lead to increased accidents, financial difficulties, and emotional unrest.
- Treating ADHD can help recover an average of 22 lost workdays per person each year.
“For those with ADHD, navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. Traditional methods, such as calling doctors' offices repeatedly to book appointments, are often impractical. However, a digital platform like Beyond ADHD allows patients to easily book appointments online, saving time and reducing frustration.”
- Dr. Hanif Chatur
Beyond ADHD’s solution:
- A team of nurse practitioners with psychiatric training and ADHD-specific certification assess, diagnose and treat ADHD.
- An evidence-based approach, including medication if clinically appropriate.
- Preferred pricing, prioritized scheduling.
- An automated digital system called "Am I Covered" checks benefit plan coverage and simplifies appointment booking.
- An AI receptionist named Grace helps reduce cancellations and reschedules.
For more information:
Chronic Disease Management
Revella Health & 360Care
Daniel Yeboah is a healthcare entrepreneur and the CEO of Revella Health and 360Care, a personalized health program for managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.
Inspired by his aunt’s struggle with diabetes care, he combined his nursing and digital health background to build a more supportive approach to chronic disease management.
Revella Health flipped the healthcare model by putting the focus on the patient and providing a suite of services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, counselling, coaching, education, advocacy, and accommodations.
Chronic Disease Management
Revella Health & 360Care
Daniel Yeboah is a healthcare entrepreneur and the CEO of Revella Health and 360Care, a personalized health program for managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.
Inspired by his aunt’s struggle with diabetes care, he combined his nursing and digital health background to build a more supportive approach to chronic disease management.
Revella Health flipped the healthcare model by putting the focus on the patient and providing a suite of services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, counselling, coaching, education, advocacy, and accommodations.
“Access to care remains the biggest challenge, particularly for individuals managing multiple chronic conditions. Many lack access to a multidisciplinary team that can provide the comprehensive support they need.”
- Daniel Yeboah
Key features:
- Ongoing coaching from a team of registered nurses, dieticians, and counselors.
- Condition-specific devices — such as Bluetooth glucometers, blood pressure monitors, and weight scales linked to the 360Care app for remote monitoring.
- AI-enabled tools that document and analyze provider-patient interactions, to improve program participant care.
“Personalized, behaviour-focused coaching plays a critical role in addressing these challenges (access to care, medication adherence, educational and behavioural support). By tailoring strategies to each individual, we help members implement changes that work for them and are sustainable in the long term.”
- Daniel Yeboah
For more information:
The future of health and wellness is here
“The future of wellbeing is rapidly evolving, and innovation is at the heart of it. Plan sponsors and advisors have a unique opportunity to shape this future by embracing these solutions and others like them to empower employees to self-direct forward better health in a very proactive, personalized, and impactful way.”
- Shane Reid, Vice President Product Management and Marketing, Medavie Blue Cross
The future of health and wellness is here
“The future of wellbeing is rapidly evolving, and innovation is at the heart of it. Plan sponsors and advisors have a unique opportunity to shape this future by embracing these solutions and others like them to empower employees to self-direct forward better health in a very proactive, personalized, and impactful way.”
- Shane Reid, Vice President Product Management and Marketing, Medavie Blue Cross
- Holistic Care Enhances Engagement and Productivity
Members need support for their financial, mental, and physical wellbeing. Connected Care provides personalized coaching and AI-driven tools that can improve employee wellbeing and workplace performance. - AI Improves Access to Care
AI-powered coaching, automated scheduling, and real-time health monitoring remove barriers to care. Connected Care’s tech-driven approach improves access to care, reduces administrative burdens, and delivers personalized support. - Proactive Support Drives Results
When employees receive support for financial stress, chronic disease, and ADHD, they take fewer sick days and stay more focused and productive at work.
Have Questions?
Reach out to your Medavie Blue Cross representative to learn more about our digital and AI powered solutions.
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on June 5 , 2025
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...