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November 07, 2007
NEW GUARDIAN AND QUALCARE AGREEMENT GIVES SMALL AND MIDSIZE BUSINESS OWNERS GREATER ACCESS TO NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE NETWORK
Guardian Members Can Now Choose from a Greater Number of Physicians, Facilities and Hospitals in New Jersey
NEW YORK, November 7, 2007 — The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), a leading provider of employee and voluntary benefits to small and midsize businesses and QualCare, Inc., a full-service managed care organization that provides third party administrative (TPA) services, provider network access, utilization management services, and a workers' compensation product, today announced a new healthcare network arrangement in New Jersey
The new PPO network agreement with QualCare, Inc. will give Guardian medical members greater access to healthcare providers throughout the state of New Jersey.
With more than 19,000 physicians and other healthcare providers and 88 hospitals under its umbrella, QualCare, Inc. is one of the largest New Jersey-based healthcare networks.
"Guardian is committed to serving the employee benefit needs of small to midsize business owners and their employees," said Tim Bireley, VP Group Medical, Guardian. "We are very pleased with our new arrangement with QualCare because they have a great reputation for quality and service. This relationship with QualCare coupled with our focus on bringing a suite of innovative, flexible and cost effective medical and employee benefit products to New Jersey, such as Guardian's Premium ProtectSM, strengthens our ability to serve business owners with more than 50 employees."
Premium ProtectSM, is a two-year health plan recently launched by Guardian that enables business owners with 51 to 150 employees to lock-in the rates of their health premiums to keep their costs manageable and predictable. Guardian is one of only two health insurance companies that offer this type of plan and New Jersey is one of just a few states where this premium guarantee is currently available. Traditional plans have an annual renewal cycle and often require employers to estimate their future healthcare expenses.
"We are very excited about our new relationship with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. This mutually-beneficial arrangement will give many Guardian subscribers access to an extensive network of high quality New Jersey healthcare providers who are conveniently located near their place of work and home," said Annette Catino, QualCare's President & CEO. "We are pleased to be working with Guardian, a company that also has a strong commitment to quality and service."
To find a QualCare physician, Guardian members can search for a provider using Guardian's online provider directory found at www.GuardianLife.com. They simply need to go to the Group Benefits Quick Access section at the top right hand side of the page and select Doctors/Dentists/Facilities to get started.
For more information about the Guardian/QualCare plan, brokers and small business owners can contact: 1-800-967-9277.
In New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Guardian medical benefits are available to employers with 51 or more employees.
Guardian is celebrating the 50th anniversary of providing employee benefits to small and mid-size businesses. Specializing in this market, Guardian serves more than 120,000 employers, and 6 million employees and their families.
About Guardian
Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (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 QualCare, Inc.
QualCare, Inc. is a full-service managed care organization that provides third party administrative (TPA) services, provider network access, utilization management services, and a workers' compensation product. Headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, QualCare is owned by 14 non-profit hospitals and physician-hospital organizations. QualCare contracts with 88 hospitals in New Jersey, as well as approximately 19,000 physicians and other health care providers.
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