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.

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What are the different types of supplemental health insurance?

Hospital indemnity insurance

Hospital indemnity insurance can help cover the costs associated with a hospital stay, 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.

Critical illness insurance

Critical illness insurance provides a benefit if you become very ill or suffer a serious medical problem, like a heart attack or stroke. It pays in addition to any benefits that are paid under your health plan.

Accident insurance

Accident insurance can cover extra out-of-pocket expenses not covered by health insurance that you might face if you’re injured in an accident. In addition, many plans have an option to receive an added child benefit for a sports-related injury.

Cancer insurance

Cancer insurance can cover radiation/chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, hospitalization, and possibly screening benefits — all related to a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

On average, 4 in 10 adults go without medical care or delay care due to concerns over the costs.

What supplemental health insurance can do for you

During an unexpected medical event or accident, the last thing you need is the stress of making difficult financial choices. With supplemental health insurance, the payouts can be used as you choose. That means you can take care of you and the important people and things in your life with much less risk of having to go into debt or dip into savings. That’s why supplemental health insurance has become a popular solution to provide that extra financial protection with payments directly to you for qualifying medical events including:

sports injuries	cancer treatment
stroke	certain preventive health screenings
heart disease diagnosis	hospital stays

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. It can also be used to cover everyday costs, such as rent, groceries, gas, or child care — helping you reduce or prevent financial stress.

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3 in 5 Americans would have to borrow to pay a $3,000 medical bill.

How much does supplemental health insurance cost?

Employees can get Guardian supplemental health coverage through their employer for about 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.

More information to help you decide what’s right for you

Unless otherwise stated all sources are from Guardian's 2022 Benefits Optimization report, Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, 2022

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.

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