As individuals with cancer are 73% more likely to return to work when using a cancer support program, Guardian becomes the first insurer to include cancer support services in long-term disability insurance and offer at scale
NEW YORK, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its ongoing commitment to support the holistic well-being of members, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian) has announced a new partnership with Osara Health. Through the partnership, Guardian members who have a long-term disability insurance policy through their employer and are diagnosed with cancer will have access to Osara Health’s Cancer Coach program, a comprehensive cancer support service, through Guardian’s integrated disability claim management processes.
Designed to support individuals navigating a lifechanging diagnosis, the cancer support program empowers individuals affected by cancer so they feel supported, informed, and confident when pursuing care. Osara Health’s 12-week program includes access to a dedicated health coach, personalized weekly digital education modules and motivational articles, as well as the broader Osara Health app. This comprehensive offering considers an individual’s mental health, diet and nutrition, and physical wellness, among other services.
The partnership comes at a critical time, with the American Cancer Society reporting an uptick in cancer diagnoses—predicted to reach 2 million new cases in 2024 for the first time ever. Additionally, cancer diagnoses rates are rising among younger Americans, with early-onset incidences of 29 cancers increasing by about 79% globally between 1990 and 2019. To address rising diagnoses rates and build on existing efforts to support those with cancer, Guardian is the first carrier to include cancer support services directly in an employer-provided long-term disability insurance product and offer it at scale.
“No one is untouched by cancer, and more employees are turning to their employers to ensure they’re prepared in the event of a cancer diagnosis. Our partnership with Osara Health expands on our efforts to support members diagnosed with cancer by providing holistic support across all aspects of their well-being—mind, body, and wallet®,” said Jessica Vanscavish, Head of Disability, Absence, Life, and Supplemental Health at Guardian. “Whether providing resources to reduce fatigue or accessing tools to track symptoms for better outcomes, we want to empower customers to take charge of their diagnoses and navigate it with confidence.”
The benefits of a cancer support program are multi-fold, extending to individuals and employers alike. Among individuals who utilized Osara Health’s Cancer Coach program, 47% reported improvement in physical health, 50% noted an improvement in mental health, and 48% indicated an improvement in quality of life. Osara Health also demonstrated individuals who use this digital cancer support program are 73% more likely to return to work with improved duration by up to 16.5 weeks sooner than those without this intervention.*
“When Osara Health was founded in 2016, we embarked on a mission to reorient cancer care: from reactive, narrowly focused treatment to programs that truly empower the patient through personalized coaching, education, and community,” said Dr. Raghav Murali-Ganesh, CEO of Osara Health. “Today, I’m proud to partner with Guardian, one of the leading carriers in the U.S., to further revolutionize the health care system so that patients and their families have the tools to protect their physical health and mental well-being.”
Initially available to new members starting in July, the addition of Osara Health is the latest in a suite of partnership announcements by Guardian. Designed to support member well-being across all life stages and moments big and small, recent partnership additions include Wellthy’s caregiver support solution and Pelago’s tobacco cessation program. Guardian also partners with Spring Health to provide members with access to mental health professionals and a wide range of solutions to support the well-being of individuals and their families.
For more information about Guardian’s disability benefits and its included cancer support services, please visit https://www.guardianlife.com/group/disability-insurance/cancer-services.
For media:
- For Guardian: Morgan Musikantow, Individual Markets and Group Benefits External Communications Lead, [email protected].
- For Osara Health: Chloe Pickering, Head of Marketing, [email protected]
About Guardian
Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With over 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, we stand behind millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building an inclusive and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is based in New York City, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received accolades for its culture and service. Our colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which included a 2024 dividend allocation of $1.398 billion – the largest in the company’s history. For more information, visit guardianlife.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Disclaimer
Guardian® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Copyright © 2024 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.
Dividends are not guaranteed. They are declared annually by Guardian’s Board of Directors. The total dividend calculation includes mortality experience and expense management as well as investment results.
Financial information concerning Guardian as of December 31, 2023, on a statutory basis: Admitted assets = $80.3 billion; liabilities = $71.2 billion (including $58.0 billion of reserves); and surplus = $9.1 billion.
Osara Health (“Osara”) is a vendor to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (“Guardian”). Osara and Guardian are not affiliated entities. Osara provides a personalized support program through certified health coaches to address cancer management issues for the benefit of a member (“Services”). Services are designed for members 18 years+ of age, diagnosed with cancer, regardless of cancer type, stage, or prognosis. Services are not meant to provide medical advice/care. Medical advice/care should be sought from your independent healthcare provider(s). Guardian does not control or provide any part of the Services and does not bear any liability for their provision. Guardian and Osara reserve the right to discontinue Services at any time without notice. Services may not be available in all states.
*Indicates Osara Health internal data, as of June 2024
About Osara Health
Osara Health is improving cancer care by empowering patients from diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond. Osara Health provides patients with digital tools, personal coaching, and educational resources, assisting them to better understand their diagnosis, adopt positive behavioral changes, and be engaged in their own care. Osara Health’s educational and behavioral change programs enable people living with cancer to take control of their care. The award-winning programs are delivered in conjunction with a smartphone application, developed in synergy with patients and caregivers with the purpose of reducing side effects and improving outcomes.
For more information out Osara Health, please visit:
SOURCE Guardian
