How Aflac can help Someone with a Chronic Illness - An Aflac Story
With 4 different types of plans and various levels of coverage, Aflac can be sort of confusing! While it is one of our most popular plans, we also tend to get a lot of questions about it and some people even ask if it is too good to be true. I mean, getting paid just for going to the doctor… that does seem kind of farfetched, right?
A few months ago we put together an article going over the “Real Value” of Aflac, this article focused on how it provides peace of mind to our members and also had a testimonial from benefit expert Will Stover where he talked about how the Aflac plan ended up really helping his family through a difficult time (click here to check that article out).
Continuing that trend, last month I sat down with Carol, who has two Aflac plans with SDPEBA, and how much they’ve helped her while seeking treatment for her illness. Below is a recount of my conversation with her.
Would you mind talking a little bit about your condition?
Yes. I have an autoimmune disease alongside some other issues that we don’t need to get into.
That’s fair! Don’t share anything you don’t want to.
I won’t.
So, I take it you go to the doctor’s a lot?
I usually have two or three doctor’s appointments a month. So, more than average that’s for sure.
We connected because you have some things to say about Aflac, what drew you to Aflac in the first place?
The money! I heard about it from the magazine you guys send out. Then called and asked. I spend at least $100 a month on copays and prescriptions, so it seemed like a good deal. Especially the $50 for each doctors visit.
Right, that’s the Hospital Indemnity plan, is that the only plan you have?
No, I also have the Critical Illness plan. The lowest one, $10,000 I think. I also signed up for the high version of the Hospital plan.
What made you get both?
I didn’t know you could at first. But once I read about the wellness benefits I thought, well, that just seems smart. And also, cancer runs in my family and the Critical Illness plan covers that too.
Can you talk more about how you use the Wellness benefits?
I need to get my blood tested every few months. And the wellness benefits pay me just getting those tests anyway. I normally don’t get a mammogram, but once I got Aflac I saw they pay for those too, actually both my plans pay for mammograms. Every time I get paid for those I feel like I’m cheating the system or something.
It really does! It’s also nice to be able to get both payouts. If you don’t mind sharing, how much do you get just from these routine tests?
I don’t mind sharing. I know it’s $50 for the blood test. And then I have to do two claims for the mammogram. I end up getting $300 for both of them. So I get $350 total. I think of it as $350 off my bill.
That’s how I think of it too. What other parts of your plan do you use?
The doctor visits mostly. I have to go to the doctors a lot for my autoimmune condition. I end up going to see specialists 8 or 9 times a year and then I check in with my main doctor every 2 months or so, but that’s usually telehealth.
Okay, wow. So, you’re hitting the maximums for Aflac’s payouts then?
Yes, I get 6 doctor visits and 6 telehealth visits paid out by Aflac.
If I’m doing the math right, you’re getting $420 just for going to the doctors then?
Yes. That’s right. And then I get more if I get any procedures like sonograms or CT Scans. Normally I’m kind of afraid of getting the bigger procedures done. I am going to get a procedure this fall that requires anesthesia and I was nervous but I saw that the hospital plan pays for that and it made me feel better.
Can you talk more about that feeling?
Well. Sometimes I get procedures and I have to get them but they end up costing a lot. Even with my insurance, the copays are still up there, like $500. And sometimes I get these exams and they are inconclusive or they don’t tell me anything. And it’s frustrating. But something about being able to file a claim afterwards and get paid for them anyway or at least get some of the money back for them, it makes it less…frustrating. Does that make sense?
Yes, I think so! It’s like you’re still able to do something.
That and it makes it feel like less of a waste of time. Or a waste of money.
Before Aflac, whenever I got a result back that was inconclusive or was bad news, I really had trouble seeing the silver lining. And I know it sounds cheesy, but I at least had something to look forward to and it helped me look at it a bit more positively.
I don’t think that’s cheesy at all, whatever helps, right? I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but I think you have a pretty specific relationship to Aflac since you do have a lot of doctor visits, would you recommend it to someone who isn’t in your position?
Well. It depends. If you are the type who will go to the doctors, get the wellness tests. Then yes. I think it’s a no-brainer. Also if you have medical stuff coming up, then again it just makes sense! Like if you need surgery or are pregnant.
I think it also might help people who don’t go to the doctor to start actually going. So it might be valuable there.
What do you mean by that?
If you don’t go you’re leaving money on the table! So it might encourage you to go and everyone should be getting checked up at least once a year.
And that’s the end of the interview! Thanks again to Carol for chatting with me! We really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to help us out.
Ultimately if you are considering Aflac or just have some questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 888-315-8027 or email [email protected]. We’re always willing to help!