Aflac Consumer Reviews - Page 5

TAMPA, FLORIDA -- They don't pay

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA -- They said my pre-existing disability is not covered. I was told by the agent I was covered but now they say I was denied. This is crazy so they was just taking money out my check and I just deal with. I really need an attorney to look into this scam as company. I don't care if you're Fortune 500 company. They are scamming lying cover ups. I hate Aflac and hope the company crumbles.

TEXAS -- Thank you so much for all of the posts seen here! What a nightmare you all must have had to endure! Out of all of these posts, there has been only one reply from AFLAC? So sad. It takes brave souls like yourselves to give a heads up to the unsuspecting consumer. I pray for all of you and for the poor souls who purchase from them in the future.

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA -- 3 years ago I took out 2 Aflac policies. After never using them I decided not to renew the policies. I checked w/ my representative, & filled out the forms she provided me with, signed, had my employer sign, date the request & turn it into the agency. I was assured it was taken care of. The next month my employer received a chastising notice from Aflac about being late with the payment - which he did not owe since the policies were cancelled. The representative claimed they never received a request to cancel. I faxed in the original request & was again assured it would be handled n a timely manner.

The next month, the same thing happened. This time I spoke to a "manager" who was insulting, condescending and just plain rude. She advised me that a "proper signed request" was never received, even though I had a copy of it in my hand. I faxed it over yet again and filed a complaint w/ the Better Business Bureau. A couple of weeks later I received a call from the manager stating both policies were cancelled. I received a letter stating both policies were cancelled & how sorry they were about the way I had been treated.

The next week I received an unsigned letter from the "client services department" threatening me, my coworkers, & my employer with "unfortunate IRS tax situations" if I try to cancel my policy again - they have decided it was in my best interest to "reinstate" my policy?!?! What do you have to do to get a policy cancelled? This is ridiculous! I have properly filled out & signed every single form they have given me. I & my employer have repeatedly requested a cancellation and they reply to these requests with threats of financial ruin?!?!

PORTLAND, OREGON -- I am 66 yrs of age, and never before felt compelled to enter any type of complaint. That cute little duck represents the largest ripoff company known to man. My deceased wife purchased a cancer policy two years prior to her diagnosis of colon cancer.

Everyone 'thinks' they have good insurance -- until they have a claim. If you are contemplating buying an Aflac policy (God forbid) before buying, pretend you have a claim -- and call the so called 'claim hotline.' You will get a recording (eventually) -- and they will send you a form to submit. During my wife's illness -- we submitted 54 claims. NONE repeat None were honored in a routine manner.

Typically you will receive a form 'requesting more information'. Then they will request an explanation from your doctor. To further 'discourage' the policy holder -- they break down the claims -- (less than $200). EACH separate claim must have course be reviewed by your physician. Just what a harried doctor wishes to do -- file 8 pages (average) -- SO understandably these forms tend to get buried in the 'IN FILE'. AFLAC IS WELL AWARE OF THIS -- and will go to any length -- stall -- more information required -- anything but honor claim.

I REPEAT we filed 54 claims -- not ONE was handled routinely. MY wife had many chemo treatments. These typically cost about 3-5 thousand each. If you take the time to read the 'very small print -- you will see that several chemicals are excluded from your policy. The bottom line, when you file for your claim -- you will discover that your 'insurance' is good for an average of $250 on each treatment. In the meantime, the insured and their loved ones are becoming 'stressed out' -- Aflac is obviously aware of this -- and the more paper work the better.

Finally, I WENT TO OUR STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER and we did eventually receive about $4,000 dollars. All my loved ones expenses totaled over $500,000. We were fortunate to have EXCELLENT PRIMARY INSURANCE -- so we were able to 'weather the storm' better than most.

I WISH THIS RIP-OFF FIRM WOULD SUE ME FOR SLANDER -- I would much like to 'speak my piece' in a public forum. I INCLUDE MY real e-mail -- If any of you need a witness, or statement verification -- pls. so indicate -- I will, at my expense, travel to testify.

I have had an AFLAC Accident policy with a sickness rider since 1998, and except for the $60.00 per year for my physical I have never made a claim on it. That was, until now. I had surgery in August, and then again in December. I was told by the agent that sold me the policy that they wouldn't cover my claim because I'm a teacher, and I had the procedure during the summer.

Then the reps came to school during open enrollment period and I explained my situation, plus the fact that I'd be having surgery again in a month. They "called the company," who said that I'd be covered for both, and told me they'd e-mail me the proper form. It was not the correct form, after I had the doctor fill it out (x2).

I called the customer service number and they told me what form I needed. I had to go back to the doctor and have them fill the new ones out. I called the representative and told him that I had had enough of AFLAC and I wanted to cancel it (I've certainly paid enough over the years) and he sent me a cancellation form. I called customer service just to be sure that was the right paperwork this time, and they told me my company would suffer tax consequences if I cancelled now. He never told me that.

While I realize this may sound confusing to read, it has been even more confusing to experience! One mess-up after another. The message on the customer service line tells you to go to AFLACNY.com for online information. There is no AFLACNY.com... you go to the main site. The rep's name on my page when I finally do get logged on is incorrect. The errors just go on and on. I'm sorry, but come November, I'm finished with AFLAC. I'm lucky I have patient office staff at the doctor's office!!!

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA -- As an agent for almost ten years, there are two problems here. One is individuals not understanding their initial waiting periods. To solve this I created a label that I put on the front of my brochures that states Effective date plus 30 day wait = This date for new diagnosis. Pre Existing wait is either six months or one year depending on the plan. This is on all plans that have sickness benefits. The accident plan does not have a wait and the Dental has a different type of waiting period.

I explain to my clients that if you go to a Dr before the 30 day wait and they test for symptoms, even if those test results come back after your waiting period is up, you were still tested for a new condition prior and it will be denied. I do not tell people not to go to the doctor, I tell them they are not covered until after the 30 day wait or pre ex wait.

And the problem with pended claims is pretty simple to fix also. AFLAC requires a basic claim form with your information, and a release form. Then you need to provide proof of treatment for your situation. It is cut and dry and one trip to the hospital Medical Records Dept will yield the needed papers.

A hospital overnight stay requires an Itemized Hospital Bill, an MRI requires an MRI report, a surgery requires the surgery report, etc. AND ALL CLAIMS NEED TO INCLUDE THE DISCHARGE SUMMARY REPORT WITH DIAGNOSIS CODE. Otherwise, you have to get a Dr's signature to verify the diagnosis. This form is available from Medical Records. This means the ONLY form that now must have a Dr's signature is your Short Term Disability form.

Most pended claims are because of insufficient information. HIPPA regulations require you to obtain this info for faster claims processing. If you were hospitalized and have surgery, please submit an itemized hospital bill, surgery report and the Discharge Summary Report with diagnosis code and the claim form and release form and you will find your claim will be quickly paid.

AFLAC also has an claims appeals board that I have had approval through for those unusual situations. Finally, remember your Health Insurance company does not pay YOU cash. AFLAC does and my clients are very happy with their AFLAC experience because I stress the effective dates when they purchase. I hope this post helps someone to know how to file their claims now.

This is exactly what I sent them via email tonight when I couldn't get my information expedited: When I signed up my account on the phone I asked when and how to cancel after getting the details and insurance policy in the mail. This occurred on Thursday but due to the nature of both of my jobs, I was not able to cancel my policy on the phone as notified by the individual who set my account up. He told me I was not able to cancel my policy until after I was charged and that I would have to call customer service. I inquired about this because I needed to contact my other insurance carriers to make sure I was not over covered.

Upon receiving my policy packet, it stated that I have to mail in my request to cancel. It is now Saturday and your customer service center is closed! I was not charged on the 22nd as stated as effective date which was the date of which I was intended to have the funds withdrawn. In which event because that you did not charge my card until after business hours on Friday, I was utterly left to proceed to work my 12 hour shift on Saturday unable to
mail out a request after already being uncomfortably ridden of my ability to cancel my policy until the funds were deducted and advised that to do so would mean to call in.

This agent and perhaps others are misguiding and subjecting innocent consumers bound by terms they know nothing of and in fact failing to give proper and correct information which is, in fact, misleading and shameless in nature. I wish for a full refund! and removal from all network and pools of databases which now hold any of my personal information. Please address this issue promptly and prevent me from being a victim of a shameless assault on my good nature and intellect.

I find it very hard to believe that you will and can go as far as to provide customer service and process data and information on behalf of innocent and valued consumers over the phone but fail to give proper information and extend some form of simplicity to even allow me to opt out of service in a sensible fashion. Thanks for taking to time to read this and consider the nature of my urgent circumstances.

[Note: Author is an Independent agent contracted with Aflac.] TO THE FEW AFLAC NAYSAYERS... I have read your reviews, but the negatives are so skewed: AFLAC claims process is VERY simple, YES, documents are required but they have to be to support the claim and prevent fraud. They are just the standard stuff: A simple 2 page claim for the claimant and physician to complete and authorization to release medical info page to be signed.

And your AFLAC representative can do the rest (they will make sure it's done right!), just give him or her the paperwork with proof of treatments (receipts), and to the AFLAC Claims Department it goes, BY FAX... CLAIMS are paid QUICKLY, in as little as three days (5 day average). Plus, the Accident plan has 20+ cash benefits with only a few limitations, up to 6 follow-up treatment visits and 10 phys. therapy treatments... but you can file multiple claims, there are specific sum injury payouts, accidental life-insurance, and a wellness benefit to offset some premium.

Family coverage is also available to children up to age 25, no student requirement! They are all outlined in the brochure given to you, and the agent is accessible for questions, before or after the presentation, etc. There is too much to mention here but all in all they are a a GREAT long-term investment with stable rates and the ease of administration and service is great. AND if you cannot reach your agent for some reason, call AFLAC directly and or visit www.Aflac.com. So before you criticize, get the AFLACTS!

***It's Insurance for Daily Living*** Illness is the number one reason for bankruptcy. 100,000 families went bankrupt last year as a direct result of cancer. 1/3 of people battling cancer last year were in financial distress. In 2007, 72 million working-age Americans struggled to pay medical bills. People don't realize that they need to shoulder 20% of thousands of dollars. ***AFLAC HELPS***

NORFOLK -- Our bright, energetic, handsome son graduated from college as a Mechanical Engineer at only 22 and began interview with numerous companies. He noticed when he would put on a tie, a small lump in his neck. The doctors thought it was a clogged lymph node, and a round of antibiotics would take care of it. In the meantime, he landed a fantastic engineering position with a Fortune 500 company, rented a beautiful apartment, bought an expensive new car. Once settled into his new life.. he opted to have that bothersome lump removed.

There are no words to explain the feelings you go through when the news of Cancer is delivered, especially when the diagnosis is your child's. It was aggressive, and after a year of numerous surgeries and treatments, it had moved to the vocal cords, then to the lymph nodes, then tumors appeared in the neck, and the cancer was spreading into his shoulder. We were losing the fight, we were losing our son.

AFLAC has benefits that allows their policyholders to be seen at a major Cancer Center, and pays for experimental treatments. We chose DUKE Cancer Center, and AFLAC was with us the whole way. They paid $300 for EVERY single treatment, they paid $300 for EVERY day in hospital, they paid thousands towards surgeries, they paid for 1 pill that cost over $5,000, they paid the co pays, they paid the deductibles, they even paid for our hotel room while we were away from home.

THEY PAID US OVER $30,000 THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! They allowed us to be seen at one of the best hospitals, by one of the best surgeons, and receive the best treatment in the US that has allowed us to have our son here today... Cancer free after a 2 year fight for life. The money also paid for that apartment, and new expensive car... because those bills come monthly regardless of your ability to pay. AFLAC is truly a Life Saver!