Guardian Life will withdraw its medical insurance product line in all states, and will wind down its existing business over the next two years. The decision was announced in a Jan. 25 e-mail to brokers from Scott Dolfi, Guardian’s E.V.P. of Business Operations.
The carrier will drop its group medical plans, both self-funded and fully insured, as well as its prescription drug plans and individual medical coverage. The move will not impact Guardian’s non-medical product lines, according to Dolfi. These include dental, disability, life, critical illness, voluntary worksite, retirement plans and individual life and disability offerings.
According to Dolfi, Guardian has worked out an agreement with UnitedHealthcare to take over its existing business.
Enrollment in Guardian’s medical plans “has steadily declined over the past several years, and now represents less than 2% of Guardian’s total group membership,” according to Dolfi. Thus, “it no longer makes strategic sense” to continue their medical product lines, he wrote.
Guardian’s decision echoes The Principal’s Sept. 30 announcement to exit the medical market, including the selection of United to take over its existing business.
