Aflac insurance

[TootysMom]

For those of you who are full-time photographers and do not have medical benefits from a "day job" employer...do any of you use Aflac? I'm getting ready to take the plunge and Aflac looks like a good option. I understand it's not like traditional insurance and is supplemental, but I wanted to see what your thoughts were on it.

Thanks!
Britney

[dracula02]

From my understanding, I thought Aflac was a disability income policy. Meaning that if something were to happen that you couldn't work for a period of time, then the benefits would kick in. It's not like an HMO or PPO.

[TootysMom]

From the research I've done on their website, that's only a small part of what they offer. They help out with everything from preventative issues to cancer to hospitalization, disability, etc. They're different from traditional insurance in that, they pay YOU for the various out of pocket expenses you may have. I've talked to one person that has this as a supplement to a regular plan through her employer and she loves it...but I'm just curious if anyone was out that that used it as their main form of insurance. I'm still waiting to hear back from a local agent.

[dracula02]

The only preventative issues they have are vision and dental. It doesn't look like they would cover a regular trip to the doctor if you have the flu and need medication. Nor does it appear that they have any prescription drug coverage (which can add up fast). Most of it is for catastrophic events such as a major accident, heart attack, cancer, etc. For my situation it wouldn't help me out at all. I visit the doctor at least twice a year since I had cancer at $5k per visit.

From Aflac's website:

"A cancer/specified-disease insurance policy can also help protect your income and savings from expenses that aren't covered by your major medical health insurance policy, including:

Deductibles
Out-of-network specialists
Experimental cancer treatment
Travel and lodging when treatment is far from home
Child care and household help
Normal living expenses, such as your car payment, mortgage/rent and utility bills"

You would still need to have some sort of HMO or PPO to cover hospitalization. That's expensive.

Now lets say that your child breaks a leg or an arm. YOU would have to foot that bill, and Aflac wouldn't pay you back for it. If you break an arm or a leg and you have short term disability, then they would pay for the income that you should be receiving, not the hospital bills.

Even with the hospital confinement policy, they only cover a small percentage, nothing like a major medical company would like Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Aetna.

[TootysMom]

Do you currently use Aflac? I disagree with some of the statements that you've made based on what I was told by the person that has Aflac as their supplement. Her daughter broke her arm and they paid her $250 to cover ER expenses; she had knee replacement surgery and they paid her for that, plus covered 4 of her PT appts...so I'm pretty sure they pay more than what you're describing - however, I could be wrong since I don't currently have any experience with them personally.

If anyone else out there is CURRENTLY using Aflac, I would love to hear your comments. Thanks!

[dracula02]

Originally Posted by TootysMom

I've talked to one person that has this as a supplement to a regular plan through her employer and she loves it...but I'm just curious if anyone was out that that used it as their main form of insurance.

I don't use Aflac, I have other means of distributing my medical risks. I'm only giving you a perspective from someone who used to sell insurance for a living and I'd rather set you up to ask these questions to your agent to get all the facts. Supplement insurance is meant to be just that, a supplement. I'd hate for you to use a supplement program as your main medical coverage and if the time comes that you need it, the fine print says they'll cover you for only $XX.XX and only you and no one else in your family. All I'm saying is CYA, your medical and financial health is nothing to gamble on.

I'm off my soapbox, so if someone would like to correct me (who's currently using Aflac as their prime means of medical insurance), please enlighten me.

thanks

[suerenee]

Britany,

I currently have my medical insurance as a individual PPO. I looked into Aflac but learned through a friend about they not so great payments made after her husband had an accident.

I just met with my financial advisor/insurance agent and he suggested that I avoid Aflac (he had lots of stories about that company) and get a traditional disability policy that would REPLACE my income and not just cover my expenses. So I have an insurance policy that covers me and the kids for all medical and then a disability policy that will cover my lost income after 90 days up until I turn 65 years old should the disability be permanent.

[dracula02]

I think that where Aflac excels is in their short term disability. You're more likely to use that than you would a long term disability policy. With short term, you only have to wait as little as two weeks to start receiving benefits, and they last as long as six months. That would take care of the 90 day gap, and if you've ever known someone who's been in an unfortunate accident, you know the hospital doesn't hold onto your invoice for 90 days before sending it to you. Kicker is, it replaces your income, (80% max by law) and doesn't pay your medical expenses. That's your responsibility when you receive the check from them and don't forget that the mortgage still needs to be paid.

[suerenee]

That's exactly why we have an Emergency fund of 3-6 months worth of expenses. Then if something happens we have money to cover the bills sitting in the bank.

[TootysMom]

Thanks for the info Susan, would you mind telling me who you have your medical policy and disability policy through?

[cassmartinez]

I have a couple of different AFLAC policies. I have a sickness one and when I take my kids to the Dr. I get 20.00 for each visit. It's not much but since I have regular insurance it almost covers my co-pay. I also have an accident policy which pays so much if we have to go to the ER, have various tests run, or are admitted to the hospital. My son accidentally got into some cough syrup and drank some and based on the advice we got from poison control I took him to the ER. I'm getting 70.00 from aflac for that plus 20 for his followup visit. I paid the hospital 100.00 for the copay and the follow up visit 30.00 for the co pay so I am getting most of my money back. I'd call and just have a representative go over it with you. I think it definitely helps out and my rep is VERY helpful!