About 100 million people in the U.S. have some form of health care debt driving millions into bankruptcy.¹

Benefits that support financial well-being

Getting employees back to where they were

If an employee has to deal with something big, like a heart attack, or stroke, critical illness insurance pays a lump sum to help cover expenses in the short-term, so they can focus on the long-term.

Why critical illness insurance adds value to any benefits mix

The need for benefits that help employees protect both their financial and physical wellness is more important than ever. Yet employers face even more pressure to control expenses while offering competitive, comprehensive benefits packages.

Offering supplemental health benefits such as critical illness insurance can help employers stand out from competitors to attract top talent, they help protect workers' finances, and they help keep your employees healthy.

6 in 10 employers agree that supplemental health benefits help them meet employees' need for greater financial security.²

How critical illness insurance from Guardian goes further

A stroke, heart attack, or cancer can come when one least expects it - and while cancer survival rates keep going up, so does the cost of treatment and recovery.3 The out-of-pocket costs for medical and non-medical expenses, such as copays and childcare, can really set your employees back financially. Critical illness insurance from Guardian pays benefits directly to employees - helping to provide important financial support while they focus on recovery. The plan pays a lump sum cash benefit based on a diagnosis of over 30 major illnesses and conditions, enabling you to provide your employees with added protection, including:

  • Up to $50,000 in lump-sum coverage.
  • Coverage for first and second occurrences.*
  • Direct employee support for infectious diseases, including pandemics where serious illness is possible.**
  • Employees can receive payments when they complete certain types of routine preventive care, such as annual physicals, mammograms, and colonoscopies.**

Here's an example of how it works: Bob suffered a heart attack and received a cash payment from his Critical Illness plan. Four years later, he had a stroke and got another payment. During both illnesses, his cash benefit helped pay for out-of-pocket medical costs as well as household expenses while he recovered, including mortgage and car payments.

Hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only.

Disclaimer

1 Kaiser Health News, https://khn.org/news/article/diagnosis-debt-investigation-100-million-americans-hidden-medical-debt (2022). 

2 Guardian Workplace Benefits Study report, "Benefits Optimization", (2022).

3 Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1534 (2020).

This advertising content is not currently intended for anyone in the state of New Mexico, and Washington.

* Only certain benefits have the ability to cover first and may even cover a second occurrence.

** Optional riders and/or features may incur additional costs.

In New York, Critical Illness is known as Specified Disease.

Summary of Plan Limitations and Exclusions

The policy has exclusions and limitations that may impact the eligibility for or entitlement to benefits under each covered condition. There are limitations & special requirements for each condition. See the certificate of coverage or contact your sales representative for full details. This policy will not pay for a diagnosis of a listed critical illness that is made before the covered person's Critical Illness effective date with Guardian.

  • We will not pay benefits for the First Occurrence of a Critical Illness if it occurs less than 3 months after the First Occurrence of a related Critical Illness for which this Plan paid benefits. By related we mean either: (a) both Critical Illnesses are contained within the Cancer Related Conditions category; or (b) both Critical Illnesses are contained within the Vascular Conditions category.
  • We will not pay benefits for a second occurrence (recurrence) of a Critical Illness unless the Covered Person has not exhibited symptoms or received care or treatment for that Critical Illness for at least 12 months in a row prior to the recurrence. For purposes of this exclusion, care or treatment does not include: (1) preventive medications in the absence of disease; and (2) routine scheduled follow-up visits to a Doctor.
  • We do not pay for a third or later occurrence of a critical illness. - First & second occurrence refers to the first & second time an insured experiences or is diagnosed with a covered critical illness while covered under Guardian Critical Illness insurance.
  • A pre-existing condition includes any condition for which an employee, in the specified period of time prior to coverage in this plan, consults with a physician, receives treatment, or takes prescribed drugs. Please refer to the plan documents for specific time periods.
  • If the plan is new (not transferred): During the exclusion period, this critical illness plan does not pay charges relating to a preexisting condition. If this plan is transferred from another insurance carrier, the time an insured is covered under that plan will count toward satisfying Guardian’s pre-existing condition limitation period. Please refer to the plan details for specific time periods. State variations may apply.
  • We do not pay benefits for charges relating to a covered person: taking part in any war or act of war (including service in the armed forces), committing a felony or taking part in any riot or other civil disorder or intentionally injuring themselves or attempting suicide while sane, or insane.
  • In order to be eligible for coverage: Employees must be legally working: (a) in the United States or (b) outside the United States, for a US based employer, in a country or region approved by Guardian. Subject to state specific variations.
  • Employees must be working full-time on the effective date of coverage; otherwise, coverage becomes effective after the completion of the specific waiting period.
  • Health questions are required for all late enrollees. Benefit increases may require underwriting.
  • This coverage will not be effective until approved by a Guardian underwriter. This proposal is subject to satisfactory financial evaluation. Please refer to certificate of coverage for full plan description; plan documents are the final arbiter of coverage.

Guardian’s Group Critical Illness Insurance is underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in all states. Policy limitations and exclusions apply. Optional riders and/or features may not incur additional costs. This is a limited plan of supplemental health insurance that provides the specified financial support, as a lump sum or indemnity payment, following the diagnosis of a critical illness. This is not minimum essential coverage as defined by federal law. This coverage will not reimburse for hospital or medical expenses. Generic Policy Form # GP-1-CI-14. The state approved form is the governing document.

Guardian® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. ©Copyright 2023 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.

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