How supplemental health insurance works
Life has a way of happening right when you’ve made plans.
And it’s in those unexpected times that extra financial protection can go a very long way — so you don’t have to choose between taking care of your health, or taking care of everyday expenses.
Hospital indemnity insurance
Hospital indemnity insurance can help cover the costs associated with a hospitalization, especially if your health plan has high deductibles and copays, if you need child care, or if you need to travel far from home to receive medical care. So you can focus on recovery instead of bills.
Critical illness insurance
Critical illness insurance provides a benefit payment if diagnosed with a covered critical illness such as cancer or suffer a medical event like a heart attack or stroke. It pays in addition to any benefits that are paid under your health plan. Plus, some plans pay out benefits for preventing, diagnosing, and treating less serious conditions.
Accident insurance
Accident insurance can help cover extra out-of-pocket expenses not covered by health insurance that you might face if you’re injured in an accident. It can also cover diagnostic testing needed to determine if your bone is broken, like for an X-ray. In addition, many plans have an option to receive an added child benefit for a sports-related injury.¹
Cancer insurance
Cancer insurance can help cover radiation/chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and hospitalization — all related to a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Help protect your heath and finances
With the health screening benefit often available on many supplemental health insurance plans, you can get money back for taking care of yourself. Even if you have no out-of-pocket expenses. That's an easy way to take better control of both your well-being and your wallet.
49% of Americans have skipped or avoided doctor appointments, missed routine screenings, or put off seeing a specialist because of high out-of-pocket medical costs.
How supplemental health insurance works with medical insurance
Supplemental health insurance doesn’t replace your medical insurance. But it does complement your medical coverage by providing money you can use to cover expenses, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. And the benefit paid directly to you (not your doctor) can also be used to cover everyday costs, such as rent, groceries, gas, or child care — helping you reduce or prevent financial stress.
About 20% of Americans would have to borrow to pay a medical bill above $999, and about 68% would have to borrow to pay a medical bill above $9,999.
How much does supplemental health insurance cost?
Employees can get Guardian supplemental health coverage through their employer for approximately the cost of a pizza per month. This will vary, however, depending on which coverages your employer offers.
Choose benefits with confidence
As you prepare to select your employee benefits during open enrollment, use this information to choose benefits that meet your current needs and support the life you want to create. So you can be less concerned about out-of-pocket expenses that might result from an accident, illness, or life event like expanding your family.
1 The child must be insured by the plan on the date the accident occurred and must be 18 years of age or younger; proof of registration required at time of claim.
Unless otherwise stated all sources are from Guardian's 2025 Mind, Body, and Wallet® report, Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, 2025
In New York, Critical Illness is referred to as Specified Disease.
In Colorado, Hospital Indemnity is referred to as Accident/Sickness Indemnity Coverage.
Group Insurance products are underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in all states.
GUARDIAN® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®