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.
Preliminary research findings suggest intervention-based benefits for patients
ATLANTA, April 8, 2024 /3BL/ – In a clinical trial led by researchers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine parents and caregivers report a reduction in distress and anxiety among young children undergoing cancer treatment after playing with a robotic duck known as the My Special Aflac Duck®. Investigators shared preliminary findings of the research during a presentation at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) annual meeting in Seattle April 5.
“These early findings suggest that children who were randomized to the My Special Aflac Duck arm of the study experienced reductions in procedural and treatment related anxiety, along with overall distress,” said James Klosky, PhD, ABPP, senior author on the study, Director of Psychology and Neuropsychology at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. “Current results show patients who interacted with My Special Aflac Duck experienced reductions in distress, nausea and pain as well as treatment and procedural anxiety compared to patients who did not.”
My Special Aflac Duck is an animatronic, plush duck designed to incorporate elements of medical play, distraction, and social robotics to provide comfort and distraction for children. Previous research has recommended multisensory, developmentally appropriate devices that engage a child’s audiovisual, kinesthetic, and tactile senses, and cognitive, motor, and visual skills, as active distraction techniques may result in the reduction of pain and anxiety. These devices are especially relevant to younger children whose ability to cope with difficult situations is limited by their level of cognitive development and varying ability to self-regulate emotions.
The longitudinal clinical trial testing the effectiveness of the My Special Aflac Duck took place at eight hospital locations across the nation and included 160 patients between ages three to 10 years who were randomly assigned to receive the My Special Aflac Duck or standard care based on the hospital where they were treated. Parents, child life specialists (pediatric health care professionals who work with children and families in hospitals to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalization, illness, and disability) and older patients completed questionnaires about patient distress, quality of life and adverse events at their first appointment, after one week, one month and three months. The preliminary findings suggest patients who interacted with the My Special Aflac Duck experienced reductions in distress, nausea and pain as well as treatment and procedural anxiety compared to patients who did not. The trial follows a feasibility pilot project also led by Children’s and Emory published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer in 2019 showing My Special Aflac Duck helped reduce distress while in the hospital in almost 70% of patients and that more than 90% were satisfied with My Special Aflac Duck overall.
“These results suggest that inclusion of the My Special Aflac Duck in a child life specialist’s toolbox as an evidence-based intervention can reduce adverse psychological outcomes among young children undergoing cancer therapy,” said Tamara Miller, MD, first author on the study, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. “The benefits of the intervention may also extend beyond patients to their families, as parents reported improvements in their own mental health.”
Using feedback from pediatric cancer patients, My Special Aflac Duck was developed for young children with cancer ages three to 10 years. Children can trigger lifelike nuzzling movements, fun and playful movements, along with quacks by petting their My Special Aflac Duck. Seven different emoji accessory tokens (angry, calm, happy, sad, scared, sick and silly) allow children to communicate their feelings to caregivers and cause My Special Aflac Duck to act out feelings with different movements, dramatic and fun quacks, and colored light sequences. A port-a-cath attachment can be affixed to facilitate medical play as children pretend to administer medications.
Drs. Klosky and Miller also hold positions within Emory University Winship Cancer Institute. Both the randomized clinical trial and previous feasibility study were funded by Aflac, Inc., which also helps fund the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Drs. Miller and Klosky are in the process submitting the results of the clinical trial for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
As the only freestanding pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization’s mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children’s is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals, Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics, urgent care centers and neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has impacted the lives of kids in Georgia, across the United States and around the world for more than 100 years thanks to generous support from the community.
About Emory University School of Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine is a leading institution with the highest standards in education, biomedical research and patient care, with a commitment to recruiting and developing a diverse group of students and innovative leaders. Emory School of Medicine has more than 3,400 full- and part-time faculty, 592 medical students, 497 allied health students in five programs, 1,388 residents and fellows in 115 accredited programs, and 92 MD/PhD students. Medical school faculty received $588.4 million in external research funding in fiscal year 2022. The school is best known for its research and treatment in infectious disease, brain health, heart disease, cancer, transplantation, orthopaedics, pediatrics, renal disease, ophthalmology and geriatrics.
