While more and more Americans are beating prevalent illnesses such as cancer, heart attack and stroke, the triumph in health is often met with financial threats. A recent survey found that 70% of consumers feel their families would experience financial hardship or stress if they were to suffer a critical illness.

Guardian's Critical Illness coverage helps protect the financial health of employees as they recover from a serious illness. This is important because, even with comprehensive health and disability plans in place, out-of-pocket medical and unanticipated non-medical expenses (travel to treatment centers, lost wages from a spouse taking time off, ongoing household bills on decreased income, etc) add up. To cover these additional expenses, most Americans would be forced to turn to savings and family first. Other backup options include a second mortgage, credit cards, and assistance from friends.

Guardian offers comprehensive critical illness coverage through a unique pairing of benefits. Our enhanced services and support for enrollment help ensure employees take advantage of this increasingly valuable employee benefit. All benefit payments can be used in any way an insured chooses.

• Coverage for certain serious illnesses: Lump-sum benefits for six serious illnesses and events: cancer, heart attack, stroke, major organ transplant, kidney failure and coronary artery bypass graft.
• Coverage for extended hospital stays: Per-diem benefit for hospital stays for all other medical conditions, including injuries.
• Coverage for completing routine wellness screenings or procedures

Product may not be available in all states.

1Guardian Spotlight on Group Critical Illness Insurance, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, May 2008.