The workplace benefits you need to support employees dealing with cancer
Cancer, or the fear of getting cancer, can create uncertainty. Let your employees know they can count on support from their benefits when facing a cancer diagnosis.
Financial and emotional support for employees facing a cancer diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be one of the scariest days of your employee’s life. Offering benefits for preventive screenings, treatment, and recovery can mean everything to your employees when the unexpected occurs.
When “just in case” becomes a sigh of relief
Not long after enrolling in critical illness insurance “just in case,” a routine mammogram led Tina Landry to an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis. As she moved quickly from testing to treatment, one worry turned out to be easier than expected. Tina submitted her claim online through Guardian Anytime, and her benefit was deposited directly into her bank account within about a week. The payment helped ease financial stress and gave her the flexibility to focus on recovery — including nutritional counseling not covered by her health insurance.*
Since 2020, there's been a 9.7% increase in the estimated number of new cancer cases in the US.¹
Critical illness
With critical illness insurance, the payment goes right to the employee. So they can focus more on taking care of themselves and loved ones, and less on finances.
Disability insurance
Guardian is the first carrier to embed cancer support services into our group disability offerings. So employees have wider access to personalized, empathetic support to help them focus on their holistic well-being, track their symptoms, and more.
Dental insurance
With dental features like medically necessary extra cleanings, employees can more easily address dental concerns that may arise from their cancer or cancer treatment. So they can remain confident in their oral health while taking on their diagnosis.
Let's support employee well-being together.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, some carriers provide financial reimbursement for routine health screenings and other well care benefits as part of supplemental health insurance. For example, the wellness benefits of our critical illness insurance provides benefits for completing cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms. In addition, there is the option, unique to Guardian, to include coverage for preventive measures taken from having a BRACA 1 or BRACA 2 genetic mutation.²
To help support your employees in their cancer journey you may want to take a fresh look at your current mental wellness offerings. Guardian’s partnership with Spring Health can help empower your employees to feel their best. This confidential and voluntary mental wellness benefit can help support them through their evolving mental and emotional needs.
Managing employee leave is complex. Absence management services and solutions can help you plan, track, and handle employee leaves while complying with federal and state leave laws, even when intermittent leaves are a factor. Here are five best practices for employee leave management to consider.
*Tina Landry's story is featured in The Guardian Annual, 2025.
1 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2025.
2 One wellness benefit per calendar year per covered person if a covered person has a wellness test or procedure performed while coverage is in force. See your plan details for benefit amounts. The gene mutation can increase the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer.
Guardian’s Group Cancer 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 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 covered cancer. 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-CAN-IC-12, et al; GP-1-LAH-12R. The state-approved form is the governing document.
This is a limited plan of supplemental health insurance that provides specified financial support, as a lump sum or indemnity payment, following the diagnosis of cancer. This policy provides limited benefits health insurance only and does not provide basic hospital, basic medical, or major medical insurance. This coverage does not reimburse for hospital or medical expenses. Limitations and exclusions may include services or treatments not included in the schedule of benefits, diagnosis or treatment outside the United States, or services provided primarily for cosmetic purposes. Additional exclusions may apply to premalignant conditions, conditions with malignant potential, non-cancer illnesses, or cancer related to illegal activities, substance abuse, self-inflicted injury, or war or acts of war.Plan documents and certificates are the final authority for coverage and benefits. For full details on the limitations and exclusions that apply to your coverage, please review your plan document.
Guardian’s Group Long Term Disability Insurance is underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in all states.
Osara Health (“Osara”) is a vendor to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (“Guardian”). Osara and Guardian are not affiliated entities. Osara provides a personalized support program through certified health coaches to address cancer management issues for the benefit of a member (“Services”). Services are designed for members 18 years+ of age, diagnosed with cancer, regardless of cancer type, stage, or prognosis. Services are not meant to provide medical advice/care. Medical advice/care should be sought from your independent healthcare provider(s). Guardian does not control or provide any part of the Services and does not bear any liability for their provision. This informational resource is not a contract and is for illustrative purposes only. Only the policy contains applicable terms. Guardian and Osara reserve the right to discontinue Services at any time without notice. Services may not be available in all states.
