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.
Intuitively, and by watching a child’s reaction, Aflac was confident that My Special Aflac Duck® was effective in supporting children and families going though cancer treatment, but we could only say “anecdotally” — until now. Recent clinical research finds that our robotic duck helps pediatric cancer patients cope with distress and anxiety associated with treatments.
In the multi-year study, both parents and caregivers reported a reduction in distress, nausea, pain and treatment — and procedural anxiety — for their children who received My Special Aflac Duck®, according to a clinical trial released April 5.
Research Team Includes (but not limited to):
Researchers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine conducted a randomized clinical trial utilizing My Special Aflac Duck®. They surveyed 160 caregivers with children undergoing cancer treatment across eight hospitals throughout the United States over a three-year period. The team said they expected the duck to provide comfort to the pediatric cancer patients, but there is one finding that surprised them.
Questions researchers asked caregivers account for 18 symptoms of distress called the “global measure of parental distress” marking a holistic look at how helpful the duck could be for caregivers.
“Not only did initial observations yield statistically significant and positive results for the children in the My Special Aflac Duck® group, but we also found that the duck benefitted caregivers such as parents and guardians,” Klosky said. “This finding is notable because we utilized a global measure of parental distress in the study, suggesting that My Special Aflac Duck® intervention resulted in significant symptom relief among those who care for young children on-treatment for cancer.”
Ines Rodriguez Gutzmer, Aflac senior vice president and Chief Communications Officer, said this unexpected finding is a celebrated addition to an overall positive study showcasing the duck’s valuable contributions.
“It’s reassuring to confirm that My Special Aflac Duck is working, helping pediatric cancer patients and those who care for them,” Gutzmer said. “The impact of the duck on caregivers provides additional evidence that our efforts in supporting the entire children’s ecosystem are tangible, helping them to stay well and strong and to be better equipped to care for the patients. This unexpected finding further expands the impact and success of the program.”
The Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation Inc. has distributed more than 29,000 ducks free of charge to children three and up diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease. The duck is also a hallmark of Aflac’s commitment to children with cancer, which started in 1995 and continues today with $181 million and counting donated to research, treatment and awareness. My Special Aflac Duck® is the result of more than 18 months of research and development prior to the duck launching in 2018. The duck provides comfort and companionship through play, the way children are already accustomed to. The duck can also receive its own “treatment” through medical play accessories, one of the most-enjoyed features of the duck, according to the study. The medical play accessories further comfort the child by helping familiarize common medical equipment such as a stethoscope, an IV, a syringe and more. The corresponding App also enables children to use their imaginations to play and to learn more about their treatments.
“This important research further extends our commitment to children with cancer, which has been our philanthropic focus for nearly 30 years,” said Buffy Swinehart, senior manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Aflac. “Our work began at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and now extends throughout the U.S., Japan and Northern Ireland. We’re excited to build on this great news, expand our reach and provide comfort and joy through My Special Aflac Duck®.”Watch a demonstration of My Special Aflac Duck in both English and Spanish. Visit Aflac.com to learn more about Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility.
Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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