On Feb. 21, 2024, the cyber event reported by Change Healthcare, a company that assists healthcare providers with claims submissions and payments, has created a significant impact to health care providers, including hospitals, individual practitioners, practice groups, diagnostic centers, laboratories, and pharmacies. We have determined Aflac’s primary operations are not impacted. Further, Aflac and its subsidiaries do not have any direct connection to Change Healthcare systems in any of Aflac’s systems or applications. At this time, we are not aware of any impact to customer data but we are monitoring for any communications from our critical third-party suppliers. While Change Healthcare’s cyber event was not directed at Aflac, we will provide flexibility with claims submissions related to this incident should it be needed. If you believe you have a claim impacted by Change Healthcare’s event, please contact Aflac at 800-992-3522.
To help provide relief for Arkansas policyholders residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties affected by severe storms, floods and tornadoes occurring May 24-26, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting May 24, 2024, and ending July 23, 2024. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.
To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in the state of California affected by the winter storms, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Feb. 3, 2024, and ending Aug. 20, 2024. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder
To provide relief for New Mexico policy/certificate holders residing in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation and affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide the following protections for policy/certificate holders:
In addition to the above, Aflac through Aflac Benefits Solutions will provide the following protections for Network Dental and Vision members and providers:
Affected members should contact Aflac Benefits Solutions at 855-819-1873, option 1, for assistance.
To help provide relief for Iowa policyholders residing in Iowa that have been affected by the severe storms, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Apr. 16, 2024, and ending Aug. 26, 2024. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.
For Network Dental and Vision Members:
This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.
To provide relief for Texas policy/certificate holders residing in Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Dallas, Delta, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kaufman, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, Lamar, LaSalle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Live Oak, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Refugio, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Smith, Starr, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Wood, Zapata, and Zavala counties, and affected by Hurricane Beryl, Aflac will provide the following protections for policy/certificate holders:
In addition to the above, Aflac through Aflac Benefits Solutions will provide the following protections for Network Dental and Vision members and providers:
Affected members should contact Aflac Benefits Solutions at 855-819-1873, option 1, for assistance.
To help provide relief for Oregon policyholders residing in the state that have been affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting July 9, 2024, and ending Oct. 1, 2024. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.
For Network Dental and Vision Members:
This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.
Aflac broadens women's college basketball support with TOGETHXR, watch parties and sponsorship expansions
COLUMBUS, Ga., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As anticipation builds among college basketball players nationwide for Sunday, Aflac, a leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S., is already standing behind future champions. In 2023, Aflac underscored the challenges facing women's sports both on and off the court. This year, the brand is deepening its commitment by teaming up with TOGETHXR, a media and commerce company promoting women's voices in sports. Aflac is also extending its partnership with University of South Carolina women's head basketball coach Dawn Staley and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
Tipping off during the women's regional semifinal round, Aflac and TOGETHXR — founded by four of the world's top female athletes: Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Sue Bird — will host tournament watch parties in partnership with The Sports Bra at Spirit of 77 located in Portland, Oregon. On March 29 and March 30, fans will have a space to come together and celebrate the growing success of women's basketball. The two-day event, hosted by basketball champions and stars of "The Syd + TP Show," Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance, offers college basketball fans the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session, enjoy photo opportunities and partake in a unique competition with icons Nneka Ogwumike, Diana Taurasi, Elena Delle Donne and Aliyah Boston.
"Last year, Aflac intentionally pivoted resources to spotlight women's college basketball talent. Collaborating with TOGETHXR aligns with our mission to support female athletes and create unforgettable fan experiences," said Aflac Chief Marketing Officer Garth Knutson. "We are equally excited to continue working with Coach Staley and the WBCA to help advance women's college basketball through our shared vision."
The partnership extensions build upon the principles outlined in 2023's "Dawn's List," a list created by Aflac in collaboration with Coach Staley and the WBCA to address some of the equity issues in women's college basketball, including investment equity, fan experience and community engagement.
"Commitment speaks through action and financial support. Aflac stands behind its promises, uniquely championing women's sports," said Coach Staley. "Their continued partnership with the WBCA reflects a shared passion for spotlighting female athletes and the exceptional coaches associated with women's basketball."
Aflac and 15-25 WBCA coaches will empower 200 girl athletes in grades 5-8 through a basketball skills clinic April 3, coinciding with the annual WBCA convention in Cleveland. Serving as the presenting sponsor of the WBCA's Assistant Coach of the Year award for a second year, Aflac will fund winners' travel to the convention and donate $5,000 to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in each coach's name, giving a total of $30,000. Additionally, Aflac will sponsor the convention's closing session, prioritizing coaches' health and wellness in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic.
This year, Aflac will be the presenting sponsor for the podcast "The GIST of It," a twice-weekly show hosted by Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz and produced by The GIST. This unique podcast delves into current sports topics that overlap with pop culture and social issues, offering a refreshing female perspective in a predominantly male-oriented sports podcast landscape.
To learn more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 68 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 18 consecutive years (2024), Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 23 years (2024) and Bloomberg's Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year (2023). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2023) for 10 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under "Sustainability."
Media contact: Amy Persons, apersons@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
1 LIMRA 2022 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report
SOURCE Aflac