Hormonal, mental health, and preventive guidance now sit inside Empire Life extended health benefits
Empire Life has added a men’s health program to its Extended Health Benefits in Canada at no additional cost, available to eligible plan members and dependants aged 18 and older.
Delivery runs through Teladoc Health Canada’s Expert Medical Opinion Service, according to the company announcement, and covers confidential virtual access to expert clinical guidance, evidence-informed recommendations and health coaching.
Empire Life cites figures showing that 65 percent of men in Canada wait six days after noticing symptoms and that nearly a quarter delay care for more than two years.
The company also cites figures showing nearly 64 percent of men report moderate-to-high stress levels.
A 65 percent figure for men waiting more
A 65 percent figure for men waiting more than six days before visiting a doctor is attributed on Empire Life’s men’s health page for plan members to Improving the health of men and boys in Canada, a 2026 Government of Canada publication.
Steve Pong, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Empire Life in Kingston, Ontario, said men often put health concerns aside.
Pong said the program gives employees a private space to get answers early.
The announcement lists four areas of support:
- hormonal and age-related health, covering energy levels, fatigue, and general health
- hair loss
- mental well-being and stress management, covering emotional resilience and workplace mental health challenges
- sexual, reproductive, and preventive health, alongside lifestyle coaching
The care pathway runs through an intake questionnaire, a direct conversation with a registered nurse case manager, a clinical review by a healthcare professional, and a tailored action plan with ongoing follow-up, per the announcement.
Empire Life’s group benefits webpage on men’s health,
Empire Life’s group benefits webpage on men’s health, posted October 28, names the offering the Men’s Health Specialty Care program and describes it as delivered through Teladoc Health Canada’s Medical Experts Opinion service, addressing concerns from fatigue and energy levels to urological and preventative care, online
That page groups coverage into heart health and weight management, vitality, reproductive and sexual health, and mental health, and directs plan members to the Weight Management Program, Mental Health Navigator, Assist Now Employee Assistance Program, paramedical benefits, prescription drug coverage and health care spending accounts.
It states that 67 percent of men in Canada do not seek out professional mental health services.
Teladoc and Teladoc physicians are independent contractors
Teladoc and Teladoc physicians are independent contractors and are not agents of Empire Life, the page states, and Teladoc does not replace the primary care physician or guarantee that a prescription will be written.
Coverage for medications tied to erectile dysfunction, hair loss or testosterone therapy depends on employer plan design.
Empire Life was established in 1923 and is a subsidiary of E-L Financial Corporation Limited, according to the announcement.
Total assets under management stood at $21bn as of September 30, 2026.
