The Hartford and the Lance Armstrong Foundation Join Forces To Help Protect Health, Finances Against Cancer

SIMSBURY, Conn., Jun 08, 2009 -- The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) today announced it is joining forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to offer a product aimed at helping Americans protect their physical and financial health against cancer.

In an ongoing effort to battle the disease and support cancer survivors, The Hartford has launched the LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan, a guaranteed-issue, multi-benefit product that helps promote early detection of cancer and financial protection in the case of a diagnosis.

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"We are honored to unite with the Lance Armstrong Foundation in the common agenda of cancer prevention, early detection and support of cancer survivors. Together, we have created a protection plan that empowers Americans to take charge of their physical and financial well-being," said Ron Gendreau, executive vice president of The Hartford's Group Benefits Division. "This protection plan reflects The Hartford's Ability Philosophy and the Lance Armstrong Foundation's belief that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything."

"We are proud to partner with The Hartford on a protection plan that helps put cancer prevention and protection front and center for American workers," said Doug Ulman, LAF President and CEO. "The LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan focuses on helping families stay healthy and helps support them through occurrences of cancer. We believe it's the best option of its kind in today's market."

By purchasing the LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan, consumers will help further the fight against cancer. A percentage of each policy's premium will be given to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

One in three Americans will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Early diagnosis, often before symptoms appear, can increase the odds of one's recovery and options for treatment. To encourage more Americans to undergo annual screenings, the LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan provides an annual benefit to pay for cancer screenings.

"By covering comprehensive annual screenings and promoting early detection, we hope to prevent suffering and death due to cancer," Gendreau said. "We hope Americans think of this benefit as a helpful reminder to follow-up on appropriate annual screenings."

Understanding that cancer treatment and recovery can be a tremendous financial hardship on families, the LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan includes:

* A wellness benefit, payable once a year for one of 12 annual cancer screening tests.
* A first occurrence benefit, if the person covered by the policy is diagnosed with cancer. The benefit can be used for any indirect costs associated with cancer treatment and recovery.
* A hospital recovery benefit, if the covered person is hospitalized due to cancer.
* A recurrence benefit, if a cancer recurs after five years or a prior cancer recurs after the covered person's effective date and the plan's 30-day waiting period.

Nearly 65 percent of the costs of cancer survival aren't covered by health insurance, according to the American Cancer Society. "When you're living with, through and beyond cancer, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between emptying a retirement nest egg or college fund - and the life-saving care you need," Gendreau said.

In addition to the monetary benefits, cancer patients will have the option to receive the Lance Armstrong Foundation's "SurvivorCare Guidebook" and be linked to the important resources of the LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare program.

"The Lance Armstrong Foundation's guidance is born from helping so many patients and families manage through the very worst - and seeing them struggle with their finances at a time when they're fighting for their lives," said Gendreau. "The LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan furthers The Hartford's mission of helping people of all abilities protect and grow their financial and physical well-being."

The LIVESTRONG Wellness Protection Plan is being offered to consumers through The Hartford's association/affinity business, which provides disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage to members of associations, organizations and affinity groups, such as financial institutions.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation

At the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), they fight for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. There can be - and should be - life after cancer for more people. That's why the LAF kicks in at the moment of diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer head-on. They find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face. The LAF connects people and communities to drive social change, and they call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone, anywhere can join this fight against cancer. Join them at LIVESTRONG.org.

Source: The Hartford