Guardian Life Insurance Company of America has launched a pioneering collaboration with Uber Health to enhance care accessibility for its Group Benefits members. Starting mid-January, members with approved long-term disability claims will receive Uber vouchers to facilitate transportation to medical appointments and rehabilitation services.

This initiative responds to significant needs identified through Guardian's research, which reveals that 30% of U.S. households have experienced a disability leave lasting at least 30 days in the past decade. The program aims to address both the logistical and psychological barriers that can impede recovery for individuals managing long-term disabilities.

Michael Prestileo, Chief Commercial Officer for Guardian, emphasized the program's holistic approach to recovery: "When our members are dealing with an injury or illness that prevents them from working, their focus should be on getting well. Guardian's aim is to help remove barriers to recovery. Recognizing that there is a strong connection between mental wellness and physical health, our collaboration with Uber Health will help reduce stress and anxiety around transportation and accessing care, and allow members to focus on what matters most—their well-being."

The partnership's significance was underscored by Zachary Clark, Global Head of Uber Health, who stated: "Millions of people with long-term disabilities need access to high-quality chronic care in order to aid recovery and return to their normal routines. By working with Uber Health and providing members with an Uber voucher that can be used for transportation to essential care appointments, Guardian can maximize its benefit offerings to reduce barriers to care, improve health outcomes, and help people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives."

The initiative is part of Guardian's comprehensive approach to member support, which includes various specialized programs addressing common claim categories. For instance, as cancer represents the leading cause of long-term disability claims, Guardian provides access to Osara Health's cancer support services and Wellthy's caregiver support services. These resources, along with other wellness benefits, are centralized on the GuardianWell™ platform.

Looking ahead, Guardian and Uber Health plan to expand their collaboration to include additional member categories, such as short-term disability claimants and caregivers, demonstrating a commitment to evolving their services based on member needs.

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