NEW YORK, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) today announced the introduction of new medical insurance plans and enhanced prescription drug benefits. The new plans are designed to help small to mid-sized businesses that are struggling to provide quality health insurance benefits to their employees as the cost of healthcare continues to rise. The programs offer a wide range of plan designs, new features and top-of-the-line service, while keeping benefits affordable by managing costs over the long-term.
“Employers should be able to provide affordable benefits to their employees and they shouldn’t have to do so by making significant cuts on value,” said Rich White, Senior Vice President, Guardian Group Insurance. “Guardian’s new programs provide quality benefits at competitive prices and the superior customer service that Guardian is known for.”
Guardian is focusing its medical product development and sales efforts on two specific areas of growth:
-- traditional medical insurance at affordable rates geared to meet the needs of a larger segment of small to mid-sized businesses, and -- innovative products designed to meet the needs of business owners looking for consumer-driven health insurance options.
The new medical plans enable business owners to choose Bronze, Silver and Gold benefit packages and customize their plans by selecting from a wide range of co-payment, co-insurance, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Additionally, the new prescription drug benefits allow for more cost sharing and provide incentives for employees to become more knowledgeable about prescription drugs. By prepackaging benefits in this manner, Guardian is able to offer exceptional flexibility plus competitive rates, all with the superior customer service plan holders and plan participants have come to expect.
The new health insurance programs, which address the needs of the traditional market, are part of an overall strategy to develop more flexible options to meet consumers’ needs. The Destiny Health Plan(TM), a consumer-driven healthcare plan, is another facet of Guardian’s strategy. The Destiny Health Plan(TM), which is offered in several states through a joint venture with Destiny Health(TM), presents businesses with an alternative to traditional health insurance plans.
“We understand that the healthcare insurance market is ever changing. We did extensive market research to find out what our customers wanted,” said Rich White. “We went out to the field and spoke with brokers and business owners to find out how we could further enhance our current offerings and provide benefits that truly meet the needs of business owners and their employees. These new products are a result of our continued communication with the people that matter most to us here at Guardian.”
In conjunction with the new plans, Guardian is introducing a series of value-added services including telephone access to Registered Nurses 24 hours a day, proactive outreach programs geared to at-risk members, specialized care networks for organ transplants and high risk births and a wealth of educational resources. The new medical plans and enhanced prescription benefits will not be available in all markets. For more information and to confirm availability of these plans, please contact your local Guardian Group Representative.
About Guardian
Founded in 1860, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY (Guardian) is the fourth largest mutual life insurance company in the United States. As of December 31, 2003, Guardian and its subsidiaries had $37.2 billion in assets. With more than 5,000 employees, over 2,800 financial representatives and nearly 100 agencies nationwide, Guardian and its subsidiaries protect individuals, businesses and their employees with life, disability, health and dental insurance products, and offer 401(k), financial products and trust services. More information on Guardian can be obtained at: http://www.guardianlife.com/.
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
CONTACT: Megan Sullivan of Manning, Selvage & Lee, +1-212-468-3623, Fax:+1-212-468-3654, megan.sullivan@mslpr.com; or Alayna Tagariello of TheGuardian Life Insurance Company of America, +1-212-598-8329, Fax:+1-212-919-2790, alayna_tagariello@glic.com
Web site: http://www.guardianlife.com/
