FAQ about Guardian’s Response to COVID-19

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions you and your employees might have about the impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For additional information, please visit our website.

Guardian Preparedness / Response
Special Accommodations for Employees
Coverage and Eligibility
Federal and State Programs
Claims Handling
Billing and Payment
Plan Renewals
Dental and Vision

Guardian Preparedness / Response

What is Guardian doing to maintain customer service levels and claims processing for my company and my employees during the COVID-19 outbreak?

How will you keep me updated?

What resources do you have to help my company and our employees deal with the impact of the coronavirus crisis?

Special Accommodations for Employees

Is Guardian making any special accommodations for employees who may lose coverage as a result of reduction in hours, layoff, or furlough?

Which products are covered by the temporary accommodation to extend benefit eligibility?

What are the specific guidelines around the temporary accommodations to extend benefit eligibility?

How do we apply the temporary accommodation to extend benefit eligibility?

How do we opt out of the temporary accommodation to extend benefit eligibility?

How will premiums be remitted during the temporary accommodation to extend benefit eligibility?

How will Guardian accommodate my employees when they become eligible for benefits again after a furlough, layoff, or leave due to COVID-19?

How will Guardian accommodate my employees when they become eligible for benefits again after a reduction in hours due to COVID-19?

Are you allowing existing customers to offer off-cycle open enrollments?

Does Guardian’s temporary accommodation apply to NY DBL/PFL?

Coverage and Eligibility

What Guardian coverages apply to employees impacted by COVID-19?

Does the STD plan cover COVID-19?

How does the Quarantine Rider work?

Is Family Medical Leave (FML) applicable for employees who need to be absent from work due to the coronavirus?

If the Wellness Benefit (Health Screening Benefit) is included in a Critical Illness, Accident, Cancer, or Hospital Indemnity Insurance certificate, would the Wellness Benefit be payable if someone received a laboratory screening test for COVID-19?

Does the Guardian Accident product provide benefits if an insured becomes sick with COVID-19?

Does the Guardian Critical Illness product provide benefits if an insured becomes sick with COVID-19?

Does the Guardian Hospital Indemnity product provide benefits if an insured becomes sick with COVID-19?

Does the Guardian Cancer Insurance product provide benefits if an insured becomes sick with COVID-19?

Federal and State Programs

Will Guardian administer the new expanded leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)?

Is Guardian able to administer the New York state-mandated DBL and PFL benefits for COVID-19?

Is Guardian able to administer the New Jersey state-mandated TDB and FLI benefits for COVID-19?

In what situations would an employee’s NY Sick Leave for COVID-19 be greater than what they have available under FFCRA Sick Leave?

For NY employers with out of state employees – does paid sick leave apply to employees who don’t reside in NY State?

Claims Handling

Will you waive the STD and Leave requirements to provide medical certification?

How are you changing your claims filing and medical information gathering processes as a result of the coronavirus?

How will you ensure Vision claims continue to be processed and questions are answered for my employees?

Do any of the Guardian Products allow for or cover Telemedicine Services?

Billing and Payment

What options do I have to make my company’s premium payments?

I have a draft coming out of my bank account to pay premiums for my employees; can I stop the scheduled payment?

Is Guardian extending the grace period for premium payments?

Plan Renewals

What is your renewal approach for cases with less than 500 lives?

What is your renewal approach for cases with 500 lives or more?

What if my renewal has already been determined?

Will we have the opportunity to discuss our renewal approach?

Will normal underwriting rules apply?

Dental and Vision

How are dental and vision exams and procedures impacted?

Does Guardian pay for teledentistry services?

How will delivery of eyewear be impacted?

What are some online eyewear options for my employees?

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