Manulife Asia and Ant Health have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore cooperation across healthcare services and insurance technology. The initial work will focus on customers in Hong Kong SAR and the Chinese Mainland, with possible expansion to other Asian markets.
The companies will examine health management services, cross-border healthcare support and digital health capabilities. They will also explore insurance technology intended to make medical access, claims and payments easier to manage across different jurisdictions.
The agreement addresses healthcare journeys that often require patients to coordinate several providers and administrative steps themselves. Manulife Asia and Ant Health plan to examine ways of connecting those stages before, during and after treatment.
One area under review is health management for Manulife customers in Hong Kong and mainland China. Potential services include case management and concierge support, alongside access to medical networks and patient services.
Insurance technology forms another part of the MOU. The companies will study health-related value-added services, product design support and systems for cross-border claims and payments.
They may also cooperate on health data insights, industry research and standards where both parties agree. The MOU establishes a framework for evaluating these areas rather than announcing specific products or services.
Steve Finch, President and CEO of Manulife Asia, said the companies will examine how their respective capabilities could make healthcare access more connected for customers. He said improving access to medical services forms part of Manulife’s broader health offering.
Zhang Junjie, Vice President of Ant Group and Head of the Health Business, said closer links between insurance and healthcare services are becoming more common. He said the companies will explore cross-border services for customers while supporting Ant Health’s work in the Greater Bay Area.
The agreement is regional in scope, although Hong Kong and mainland China will be the first markets examined. Manulife Asia and Ant Health intend to consider extending the cooperation to other Asian markets over time.
Manulife operates insurance and financial services businesses across Canada and Asia, while using the John Hancock brand primarily in the US. At the end of 2025, the group served more than 37 mn customers across 25 markets.
Ant Health is Ant Group’s healthcare business, with AHA Healthcare Technology HK Limited serving as its Hong Kong entity. The platform began with online hospital appointment booking and payment services in mainland China, and more than 800 mn users have linked national medical insurance e-certificates to its system.
