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April 2, 2007
Guardian Enhances Disability Income Issue Limits for Even More Medical Occupations
NEW YORK, N.Y., April 2, 2007 — Following last summer's announcement that it was significantly increasing issue limits for 30+ medical and dental occupations, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) has enhanced its industry-leading Individual Disability Income (IDI) offering even further by upgrading the issue limits of neurosurgeons, cardiologists and other so-called "invasive" medical specialties1.
The new issue limit of $12,500 per month2 is being offered by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (Berkshire), a wholly owned stock subsidiary of Guardian.
Nearly 20 medical occupations were positively impacted. An additional, non-invasive medical occupation class—physiatrists—will now be able to apply for up to $15,000 a month (up from $10,000).
"Berkshire's outlook for these particular medical professionals has improved measurably, which makes it possible for us to implement this increased monthly benefit amount in direct response to requests from the Guardian field force," said Matthew Gottfried, ASA, Berkshire's Director of Individual Disability Income.
"After the industry's very strong response to our increased issue limits last summer, our producers urged us to look into doing the same for these additional specialties in order to be even more competitive in today's medical marketplace," added Gottfried.
As before, physicians in the designated specialties will be eligible for the higher monthly benefit amounts only if all medical requirements for their IDI applications are obtained through Berkshire's TeleMed service.
Launched last year, TeleMed enables producers to spend more time focusing on what they do best—creating solutions for clients and maintaining relationships as clients' protection needs change—while delegating labor-intensive medical information-gathering to LabOne, Inc., a highly regarded underwriting resource based in Lenexa, Kansas.
"Our underwriters receive better, more comprehensive information via TeleMed in a more efficient way, which means that applications are assessed and policies may be issued more quickly," Gottfried observed. "That's better for the client. Combine speed and accuracy with higher issue limits, and it's a no-brainer for the agent."
For more information about the new issue limits, producers should contact the nearest Guardian agency via www.GuardianLife.com/service_center/find_a_local_office.html. Each agency is staffed with at least one Disability Income Specialist, who provides local sales consultative support and service for IDI insurance cases.
About Guardian
Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y. (Guardian) is one of the largest mutual life insurance companies in the United States. As of December 31, 2006, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $39.5 billion in assets (on a consolidated statutory basis). With more than 5,000 employees and 3,000 financial representatives, as well as more than 80 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses and their employees with life, disability, health, long-term care and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), annuities and other financial products and trust services. More information about Guardian can be obtained at www.GuardianLife.com.
About Berkshire
Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, Mass. (Berkshire), is a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, N.Y. Its key missions are to grow Guardian's disability income and long-term care lines of business and to research and develop new insurance products. More information about Berkshire can be obtained at www.BerkshireLife.com.
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