COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the
leading provider of voluntary insurance at the work site in
the United States, announced today
the launch of its enhanced group critical illness plan – Group
Critical Illness Advantage – as well as the following three new
value-added services: Health Advocacy, Medical Bill Saver™ and
Telemedicine. Just in time for open enrollment season, these new
products and services will help Aflac continue to meet the evolving
needs of its group customers.
"This is the most significant enhancement Aflac has made to its
group critical illness plan in more than five years and at the same
time the company is providing a very competitive bundle of
value-added services," said Dan
Lebish, executive vice president, chief operating officer at
Aflac Group. "These improvements demonstrate Aflac's dedication to
helping customers reduce the financial risk and out-of-pocket costs
associated with an unexpected illness or injury."
Aflac's Group Critical Illness Advantage plan has more covered
conditions and benefits, no pre-existing conditions limitation, no
maximum issue age, no reduction in benefits at age 70 and no 30-day
waiting period. The plan also includes a Waiver of Premium Benefit
as well as additional and reoccurrence benefits payable with six
months between diagnosis dates. Plus, all coverage is HSA
compatible.
New to the Group Critical Illness Advantage plan – and an
industry first – is a feature known as the Building Benefit option,
which automatically increases the benefit amount at each
anniversary, with no change in premium or additional underwriting.
This feature was developed as a way to reward customers for their
long-term commitment to the company.
Value-Added Services help address key health care
challenges
Effective Jan. 1,
2016, any individual who is enrolled in an Aflac Group
Critical Illness, Accident or Hospital Indemnity product will
automatically be eligible for Aflac's bundle of new value-added
services: Health Advocacy, Medical Bill Saver™ and Telemedicine.
These programs are available at no additional cost and provide
group certificate holders the following valuable services from the
first day of coverage – even if the individual never files a
claim:
- Health Advocacy from Health Advocate: This 24-hour-a-day
resource offers free access to a team of personal health advocates
who provide expert assistance with navigating the complex health
care and insurance systems. Services include but are not limited
to: Helping individuals understand their coverage and costs of
care, locating leading providers for second opinions, clarifying
complex conditions, and researching available treatment options and
assistance in resolving insurance claims.
- Medical Bill Saver™ from Health Advocate: This service
provides insureds access to a specialized negotiation team with the
skills and resources to motivate providers to lower employees'
uncovered medical bills. They leverage industry pricing data that
could save employees hundreds, while also ensuring that providers
are paid quickly.
- Telemedicine from MeMD: This service connects
certificate holders with a board-certified, U.S.-licensed medical
provider online to receive personalized treatment, while offering a
low-cost option to receiving medical care. When medically
appropriate, MeMD's providers can submit an e-prescription to local
pharmacies.
Health Advocacy and Medical Bill Saver™ are available to
certificate holders as well as their spouses, children, parents and
parents-in-law. Telemedicine is available to certificate holders as
well as their spouses and children.
"Even if a customer is lucky enough to never file a claim, Aflac
is still able to deliver value from day one by helping customers
navigate the complex and ever-changing health care landscape we all
face on a regular basis," added Lebish.
Protection designed to help minimize financial risk for
employers and employees
Aflac understands that employers
want to help protect their employees, while attracting and
retaining talent – and keeping an eye on their bottom line. By
offering three new services embedded in select Aflac group plans,
employers can add more value to their benefits without adding to
their budget — and do it all while helping their employees address
key challenges they face today in health care, such as:
- Navigating the complexity of the health care environment.
- Reducing out-of-pocket expenses resulting from unexpected
illnesses and injuries.
- Finding low-cost options to combat rising medical costs and
high-deductible health care plans, which also helps keep costs down
for employers who self-fund their medical plans.
For more information, visit aflacgroupinsurance.com.
About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt,
Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For nearly six decades, Aflac
insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to
focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leading
provider of voluntary insurance at the work site. Through its
trailblazing One Day Pay℠ initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive,
process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one
business day. In Japan, Aflac is
the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1
in 4 households. Aflac individual and group insurance products help
provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For
nine consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere
magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2015,
Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies
to Work For in America for the 17th consecutive year. Also, in
2015, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired
Companies for the 14th time, ranking the company
No. 1 in innovation for the insurance, life and health category.
Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac
and One Day Pay℠, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.
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Media contact – Kristen
Fraser, 706.243.5543 or mediarelations@aflac.com
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SOURCE Aflac