Aflac Cancer Policy Consumer Reviews

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA -- Bought their Cancer Policy in Nov 2004 directly from AFLAC, covering myself and my wife. Was a personal purchase. I have collected "wellness" claims in 2018 when they allowed me to go back with claims to beginning of policy. I asked them why they couldn't have sent a reminder about this benefit when they sent the bills for policy. NO ANSWER. (Not fully transparent) Some of the information that was required for those claims was either tortuous, impossible to obtain due to the fact that doctors vary the time. They keep your records or, they have died or sold their practice.

CANCER CLAIMS: Preparation in order to fully comply with their system and directions to expedite claim: Set up a home office fully equipped with telecommunication equipment and supplies. A lot of time to understand contract and health care provider's documentation. Purchase FAX machine. Set up file system IN DUPLICATE for documents they require even though they have the information from previous claims (original pathology report, original diagnosis, etc etc). Cost of "return receipt request/certified mail" because they claim they never received, I blame them and they blame me.

If I use NY Cancer and Blood Specialist to fill out Aflac forms it costs $20 for each form. You must travel to one particular office in Setauket, NY. 100 miles round trip! Time consuming and travel cost. AFLAC "SYSTEM": NO GOOD. The same person you discuss any problem with never calls back after your call to them. Their representatives never give an extension number even though that is a prompt for you to input when you call them back. (Have to start from the beginning and wait an hour or 2 for a return call) Must be computer savvy or have someone on hand who is, to navigate their "Smart System" make timely.

MY RECOMMENDATION TO AFLAC: (Goal should be to make timely claim payments to customers ). 1. Any system should be pro-active. 2. Previous approvals of requested documentation should not require duplication of the original for each new claim. 3. Documents requested should have an AFLAC identification number or letter. 4. A system similar to a court system where exhibits are identified by number or letter would be helpful. 5. A spreadsheet showing AFLAC's progress should be provided.

WHAT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS TO AFLAC: AFLAC is not fully transparent. AFLAC must know that most people are not able to submit claims online. AFLAC must know by the number of telephone calls they get that the system in place is not working. AFLAC must know that their system is based on the premise that they will tell customers what is wrong with their claim after fact, rather than mapping it out beforehand to get it done right on the first submission.

OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS THAT ARE ABOVE NORMAL. 1. Stress. 2. No sleep. 3. Rise in Blood pressure. 4. Higher glucose readings. 5. Causes additional fighting with wife. Mine had a stroke last year. She doesn't need this additional stress on top of my diagnosis. 6. I am not a doctor, nor trained in any medical field. 7. I am not a lawyer specializing in the medical insurance field. 8. I am not up to my training weight, after all, you know I have cancer.

E TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS -- I was diagnosed with breast cancer and required a mastectomy. Within 2 weeks I had my check for first occurrence of cancer. I received $150 a day times 10 days to have a visiting nurse come in to check on my surgical drains. I received a pre-determined amount of money for every procedure performed. Money for biopsy, surgery itself, prosthesis, predetermined amount of money for anesthesia during surgery. Aflac did everything they said they would!!!

As far as my short term insurance from my employer, I received that 9 weeks after surgery. I would have been in such a jam financially, if not for Aflac, Every step of the way was easy. I do remember getting the impression that employers may have different plans that provide different benefits. My experience with Aflac was so positive my kids always say I should become an Aflac representative when I semi retire!!

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA -- I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 2019. I was notified in August, and received surgery on 09/27/19. My doctor from The Veterans Administration submitted a letter to AFLAC with all of this information, to include 30 days recovery time. AFLAC then requested notes from 2018 to 2019. They still didn't pay. They then requested notes from 2017 to 2018. They still haven't paid. They continue to look for a preexisting condition that the doctor clearly said from the beginning was discovered in June of 2019. To date, I still haven't received a check. Apparently, they must believe that The Veterans Administration is in cahoots with me to defraud them of a check. It's ridiculous. When it's all said and done, I will be moving to another insurance company.

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA -- I have had various AFLAC policies since 1990 and other than the Wellness Benefit, have not had any major claims. Lo and behold, in December 2017 I went for all my medical tests and in January had several biopsies for both my thyroid and breast.

On Feb 7, 2018 I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed. I contacted my agent, Jimmy **, who provided me with all the information I needed to file a claim. A few days later he called to follow-up and I told him I have not had time to complete the form but I have all the doctor and pathology reports. He paid me a visit and help me with the paperwork and in less than 2 weeks I received a check for over $14k which came in handy to cover my maximum out-of-pocket. Not only did AFLAC deliver but also the customer service I am receiving is exceptional. Thank you, Jimmy!!!

SOUTH CAROLINA -- My wife started an AFLAC cancer policy over 10 years ago with me on it also. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 years ago and AFLAC paid with no problems. I always told her my policy was a waste of money because no one in my family has ever had cancer. Well earlier this year, 2017, guess what, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a relatively rare blood cancer I'd never heard of before. It's a very long and expensive process, chemo, radiation and an upcoming stem cell transfusion, AFLAC has been awesome with all the pay outs, I highly recommend them. My agent is Gary ** who's been with AFLAC for decades.

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA -- Bought my Aflac cancer policy 20 years ago at age 35. Was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 55. Aflac processed my initial diagnosis claim and had my check in the mail within one hour of my claim submission, no questions asked. I had a benefit building rider of $500 per year plus the initial diagnosis benefit of $5000.

A check in the amount of $15,474.33 came in the mail shortly after that. They are continuing to pay for various doctor visits, mileage and treatments associated with the cancer and the policy is still in force if I develop some other type of cancer in the future. Aflac policies go through many changes over the years, so your benefits will differ from mine, but I have nothing but praise for the duck. I am now studying for my state insurance license so I can sell Aflac myself.

I signed up for Aflac in 2001 through my employer. THANK GOD, I, nor anyone else in my family has ever had to use it. I will admit, after reading my policy in 2001 to get a feel of what Aflac will pay, I have never read my policy again. I know what Cancer is, I know what having the Cancer Policy means. I changed to the Cancer policy with Specified Disease Rider in 2007, then in 2009 I changed my policy so my premiums could not go up due to my age then - 44. I was on the edge of the rate changing. I have never had Cancer, NEVER had any of the specified diseases listed. - SIMPLE? ONE WOULD THNK SO... BUT NOT TRUE.

Aflac put another listing in the 2009 policy called 'Associated Cancerous Conditions' which has a little relationship that someone may get cancer from one of a couple ASSOCIATED CANCEROUS CONDITIONS. So few people in the world actually get the associated cancerous conditions, it could be why they added it to their policy. But lo and behold, in 2006 I was diagnosed with a condition linked to one of those associated cancerous conditions - but the Cancer Policy DOES NOT SPECIFY my disorder in the book, it is a sub-classification of the Associated Cancerous Conditions. I have a blood clotting disorder (who knew that would be considered an association to cancer?).

In April of this year, my Gyno put a slight scare in me and stated a few things about my reproductive system were off. So April 2010 I downloaded my latest cancer policy, for the "just in case" and I was shocked to read that MY Associated Cancerous Condition was in the newest policy. NEVER assume you are Grandfathered in. Never assume the reps at Aflac know how to answer questions correctly, and NEVER assume your agent knows either.

Everyone I spoke with - from Aflac said for me to mail in all my info, 28 pages of info, and I would be paid, no problem. NOW my case has been given to the INTERNAL REVIEW department. I wonder if they will accuse me of being a LIAR, committing PERJURY, or something more horrific. It's been 3 weeks, wish me luck.

COLUMBUS, GA, GEORGIA -- This reflects my recollections and opinions of what transpired here. I purchased a cancer policy from Aflac in 1990. It was SUPPOSED to provide a one-time payment based on the age of the policy. Shortly thereafter, I had a non-cancerous tumor removed. It was never diagnosed as malignant so my Aflac agent advised me no to file a claim. I followed his advice.

In 2006, I was diagnosed with cancer. I talked with my Aflac agent and he helped me with the paperwork and calculate what my payment would be, based on the 1990 purchase date. I filed a claim with Aflac, never expecting any problem based on how honest the duck looks. Well, looks can be deceiving. They refused to pay the full amount because, according to them, I should have filed in 1990, when the amount due me would have been much lower since the policy was so new. Never mind that in 1990 it was a benign tumor, and my Aflac agent told me not to file.

I negotiated with them for weeks and provided several medical reports that showed the 1990 tumor to not be cancerous. My Aflac agent told me that he had told Aflac about this situation and confirmed that he had indeed advised me not to file in 1990. Well, ducks must be very obstinate and dishonest creatures. I again was refused the full amount owed me.

Finally, I retained an attorney. He had about as hard a time as I did communicating with them. They changed their attorney working this case at least once and maybe twice. After several weeks of negotiations, the Aflac duck finally offered a GENEROUS settlement that amounted to much less than what they still owed me. My attorney suggested that I take it. He said the duck was notorious for its STALLING TECHNIQUES and that all we could do was have the case heard in court. This would consume so much money that even I won, I would lose. So as many probably have done before me, I settled.

I feel obligated to share my Aflac experience with all who will listen. Perhaps I can prevent someone else from making the same mistake I did. Do not be charmed and bedazzled by the innocent looking duck. Look slowly and carefully at what is hidden underneath those snow-white feathers. If you are looking for a completely honest and straight-up insurance policy, I suggest you look elsewhere. I am not bitter, but I surely hope that duck never crosses the road in front of me.

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA -- You should not judge a company by 1 individual's misconduct as in the AFLAC duck voice. Their conduct was handled swiftly and AFLAC made the statements to assure their creditability. I personally bought a AFLAC cancer policy 10 years ago and 8 years after I bought the policy I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. At that time they paid me promptly for the first time occurrence benefit of 500.00 a year times 8 as that is how many years I had the policy before my diagnosis (4000.00).

Aflac also paid me 200.00 a day while I went through 33 radiation treatments of which I had to work each day (6,600) as my oncologist insisted I was not disabled and could not collect any short term disability entitlements. I now am on a chemo pill every month for 5 years at which AFLAC pays me 200.00 a month (12,000) total benefit. As a matter of fact I plan on studying and obtaining my own insurance license to sell AFLAC insurance.

If you never use a cancer policy how can you say you lose? If you do get diagnosed with cancer it relieves all kinds of financial stress. Thank you AFLAC for making such a stand as you did and eliminating the issue so we can go on with our daily needs and life.

MISSISSIPPI -- I was an employee of Forrest County when I took my policy out. It has been over sixteen years and thankfully I haven't had to use it for any medical reason. My policy pays for me to have a yearly check-up. I have been very pleased with my policy, as well as my agent.