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, morgan_musikantow@glic.com.
- For Osara Health: Chloe
Pickering, Head of Marketing,
chloe.pickering@Osarahealth.com
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:
- Website – www.Osarahealth.com
- LinkedIn
– https://www.linkedin.com/company/Osara_Health/
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/Osara_Health
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SOURCE Guardian