Fully-insured members of Guardian to receive 100% coverage of the administrative cost of H1N1 vaccine

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), one of the largest mutual life insurers and a leading provider of employee benefits for small and mid-sized companies, today announced that it will cover 100% of the cost associated with the administration of the H1N1 vaccine for employees and their eligible dependents enrolled in a fully-insured Guardian medical plan.

Employees and dependents covered by Guardian will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs for the H1N1 vaccine, regardless of their plan's level of coverage for preventative services. No co-pay, deductible or coinsurance will apply.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced that it is mobilizing a comprehensive response to address the challenges posed by the H1N1 virus. A key component to this response is the development, testing and distribution of a vaccine against H1N1, which will be separate from the seasonal influenza vaccine. The federal government will cover the cost of the vaccine itself, but physicians will bill for the costs associated with administering the vaccine.

"The outbreak of the H1N1 Flu - commonly referred to as Swine Flu - created a global medical crisis that significantly impacted the American public, businesses and the economy," said Tim Bireley, VP, Guardian Group Medical. "Guardian decided to cover the costs associated with administering the vaccine because of our ongoing commitment to support and provide quality service to the small and mid-size business owners who rely on our health plans and employee benefits to protect their employees. In today's economy, we don't want fees to come between families getting the care they need to stem the spread of the Swine Flu."

Guardian is also giving its self-insured medical plan-holders the opportunity to provide 100% coverage for the Swine Flu vaccine. Self-insured clients absorb the costs so that employees do not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses related to vaccination. In addition, Guardian provides the administrative support to help make this a seamless process for self-insured employers.

SOURCE The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America