Do your employees have the money to weather a medical emergency?

Your people are your greatest asset. But chances are, their assets might not be enough to keep them financially afloat in a health crisis. Even with generous salaries and medical benefits, increasing deductibles and premiums are squeezing employees. That means many workers in the United States still face tough odds, especially after a sudden medical event.

What’s more, nearly half (46 percent) of insured adults report difficulty affording their out-of-pocket health care costs, and one in four (27 percent) report difficulty affording their deductible.⁴

How supplemental health insurance helps your employees – and your business

Supplemental health insurance can provide the extra support employees need, while helping employers expand benefit options. Offering supplemental health coverage sends a strong message: “I value the time and effort you give to my business, so I have your back if times get tough for you.” Workers who have supplemental health insurance through their employer are 33% more likely to report high overall well-being and 25% more likely to want to stay with their current employer.5

Supplemental health insurance basics

  • Supplemental health insurance plans provide payouts after certain unexpected events that require medical attention, such as accidents, serious illnesses, and hospital stays.

  • At about the cost of a latte a day per product for an average 45 year old with family coverage, we make supplemental health insurance plans modest enough to offer to employees on a voluntary basis if your organization chooses.

Supplemental health insurance insights

How supplemental health insurance works with other benefits

  • These benefits complement medical insurance by providing money to help cover expenses such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, as well as everyday costs such as rent, groceries, gas, or childcare—helping the insured person reduce or prevent financial stress.

  • Supplemental health insurance can provide added financial support in the event an employee needs to use disability benefits. For example: An employee may need to go on short-term disability to recover after an extended hospital stay, a heart attack, or after being diagnosed with an illness like cancer – all “payable events” that different types of supplemental health insurance could cover. When a disability claim is filed, Guardian will automatically look for other qualifying coverages, then give the employee all the benefits that apply to their claim in one check.

6 in 10 employers agree that supplemental health benefits help them meet employees’ need for greater financial security⁶

Disclaimer

11th Annual Workplace Benefits Study Research Methodology

The 11th Annual Workplace Benefits Study was fielded in February and March of 2022 and consisted of two online surveys: one among benefits decision-makers (employers) and another among working Americans (employees), allowing us to explore benefits issues from both perspectives. Survey data collection and tabulation were managed for Guardian by Zeldis Research, an independent market research firm located in Ewing, NJ.

Employer survey

Employer results are based on a national online survey of 2,000 employee benefits decision-makers. Respondents include business executives, business owners, human resources professionals, and financial management professionals. The survey covers all industries and is nationally representative of US businesses with at least five full-time employees. Data shown in this report have been weighted to reflect the actual proportion of US businesses by company size based on data from the US Census Bureau. The margin of error at the 95% confidence level is +/- 2.2%.

Employee survey

Employee results are based on a survey conducted among 2,000 employees age 22 or older, who work full-time for a company with at least five employees. The survey sample is nationally representative of US workers at companies of at least five full-time employees. Data shown in this report have been collected in a way to reflect the actual proportion of US workers by gender, region, race, ethnicity, education level, household income, age, and employer-size, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau. The margin of error is +/- 2.1% at the 95% confidence level.

1 Benefits Optimization, Guardian Workplace Benefits Study 11th Annual 2022

2 Federal Reserve Report on the Economic Wellbeing of U.S. Households in 2020, May 2021

3 "Protection from high medical costs," healthcare.gov

4 “Americans’ challenges with health care costs,” the Kaiser Family Foundation, 2021

5 Benefits Optimization, Guardian Workplace Benefits Study 11th Annual 2022

6 Benefits Optimization, Guardian Workplace Benefits Study 11th Annual 2022

In New York, Critical Illness is known as Specified Disease. In Colorado, Hospital Indemnity is known as Accident and Sickness Indemnity. Guardian’s Group Accident, Cancer, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance are 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.

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Wyoming Cancer Insurance Disclosure Information -

Right to Return: If you are not satisfied, you may return the certificate within 30 days after receipt. The amount of premium you have paid will be refunded provided no claim has been incurred during the 30-day period. Your certificate will then be void, as though you had never applied for the insurance. Proof of Insurability: If your plan requires proof of insurability, it will be shown in the schedule of insurance. Your coverage may not become effective until you submit proof of insurability to us.

Pre-Existing Conditions: If your plan has a pre-existing condition limitation, it will be shown in your certificate. A pre-existing condition is a cancer, whether diagnosed or misdiagnosed, for which in the 90 days before you become covered by this plan, you: (1) received advice or treatment from a doctor; (2) underwent diagnostic procedures; (3) were prescribed or took prescription drugs; or (4) received other medical care or treatment, including consultation with a doctor. This plan will not pay benefits for cancer that is caused by, or results from, a pre-existing condition if the cancer occurs during the first 12 months that you are covered by this plan.

Exclusions: This plan will not pay benefits for the following: services or treatment not included in the schedule of insurance; services or treatment provided by a family member; services or treatment provided primarily for cosmetic purposes; services or treatment for premalignant conditions; services or treatment for conditions with malignant potential; services or treatment for non-cancer sicknesses; cancer caused by, contributed to by, or resulting from: (1) participating in a felony, riot or insurrection; (2) intentionally causing a self-inflicted injury; (3) committing or attempting to commit suicide while sane or insane; (4) your mental or emotional disorder, alcoholism or drug addiction; or (5) engaging in any illegal activity; or (6) serving in the armed forces or any auxiliary unit of the armed forces of any country; cancer arising from war or act of war, even if war is not declared. 

Benefits: Your plan may include the following benefits: air ambulance; alternative care (palliative care or Lifestyle benefits); ambulance; anesthesia; anti-nausea medication; attending doctor; blood, plasma and platelets; bone marrow and stem cells; cancer screening, cancer screening follow-up; experimental treatment; extended care facility/skilled nursing care; government or charity hospital; home health care; hormone therapy; hospital confinement; immunotherapy; intensive care unit confinement; inpatient special nursing; medical imaging; outpatient and family member lodging; outpatient or ambulatory surgical center; physical or speech therapy; prosthetic devices; radiation therapy and chemotherapy; reconstructive surgery; reproductive benefits; second surgical opinion; skin cancer; surgical benefits; and transportation/companion transportation.

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