Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Seeking info re AFLAC & Supplementary Insurance

Comments:
: : John: : : Thanks for your well thought out response. Don't consider this an attack just direct questioning (below) : : : Eric and Agent, : : : I would like to give you some good, factual information, and maybe some opinions about AFLAC. : : : I am an associate for AFLAC and I believe in the product. Granted, you can run a pretty high monthly bill if you were to participate in all policies, I generally will offer a business 2 or 3 to choose from. I do not like to have overlapping coverage for my clients and usually the price of 3 policies / month is @ $50. Depending on what you get it could be higher or lower. : : Which 3? How do you as an agent pick from the 10 or so available? I am guessing their cancer product, short term di and long term care insurance stand alone. But we are forgetting the voluntary (hospital) indemnity, personal hostpital ICU and personal accident. : : : AFLAC is not a substitute for major medical or health insurance. AFLAC, as a company, discourages the marketing of AFLAC products in such a manner. Policies such as Long Term Care, Short Term Disability, and accident policies with disability riders are some of our more popular plans. These policies only make up for lost wages, out-of-pocket expense, and coverage for the cost of long term care for people who need it. : : in regards to those "who need it" how is AFLAC's claim paying process, from your insider point of view? : : : Financial planners all across the US will tell you that there are 4 pillars for insurance protection: Property and Casualty (cover your car, house, property..., Major medical and health insurance (major medical to cover high hospital bills, health insurance to take care of Dr. office visits, the small things, etc..., Life insurance (protect families financially for premature death of the insured), and income protection insurance (to help pay for all your other insurance plus help pay for what that other insurance is protecting). Meaning, AFLAC is meant to be put in place to help protect your income. The benefits are paid directly to the insured and the insured makes the decision on who or what that money is spent on. The insured also has the ability to pick and choose the coverage they want. : : well yes and no, if you only offer 3 of the products, surely the insured will not have knowledge of some coverage that could be available to them. But i understand how you need to streamline the process instead of confusing the client. : : : You are correct Agent, each policy is individually underwritten, however, you are incorrect about any AFLAC policies being a "group" policy. AFLAC offers individual policies in a group setting. The reason this is done, is because AFLAC offers policies that are available under the sec 125 cafe plan. Which means, if you decide to participate with AFLAC, you can save tax dollars from your premium. : : An important difference, especially when you consider that the people that have prexisting conditions (the ones most likely to use and need AFLAC's products) will not be able to get them. Has AFLAC ever offered or thought of offering a true group product that was not individually underwritten? : : : The difference I refer to about "group" and "group setting" is that employers have to contribute, by law, to a group policy. In Texas, I believe the contribution rate for the employer is 50%. Policies offered on a group setting are usually offered at a lower rate, more flexibility, and yes, they usually have to be individually underwritten. : : : I noticed your comment that each policy covers little. If you would like, you may contact me and I will send you some information. I do not know if you already have any, but I would be happy to. : : Actually, i have done alot of studying of their policies today, and although most of their policies are low benefit compared to other individually underwritten policies, they do have some attractive features, esp. the cancer policy. If that is more for marketing than helping hte policy holder, i do not know. : : : Many employers do not offer standard health insurance because they have to contribute a portion to the premium. The amount they have to contribute varies by state. Yes, many employers offer Only AFLAC. The employer does not have to contribute a dime to it. Plus, it usually saves the business tax dollars. : : I can see from an administration standpoint how AFLAC would be alot less of a headache. Wouldn't the problem be with employees that were used to real health insurance, then were turned down or denied benefits by AFLAC? I could see that creating a lot of bad blood between the employer/employer, which is the opposite of the desired effect of offering them benefits. : : : I know that you're not trying to knock AFLAC, but sometimes, it's all an employer can offer. : : Better than nothing, but maybe it would be cleaer if they labeled this "NOT HEALTH INSURANCE" and stopped calling is supplemental coverage and using phrases like "Without it, no insurance is complete" because lets be honest, AFLAC IS SOLD in place of real group health insurance. : : : One major important thing to think about is people who have gone through a catastrophic illness, and gone broke because of it. When you're sick or injured, the last thing you need to have happen is to go broke. AFLAC helps in these situations. Think of someone you know, or know of... Maybe a family member or friend, who has had cancer, a heart attack, major accident, etc... Ask them what kind of financial impact it had on them. : : I agree with the above John, my question is do they contribute enough? Accidents can cost alot more than the $25,000 AFLAC is willing to pay. : : Hospital stays are more than $300 per day, as pointed out by AFLAC's own website. The million dollar question remains : : "are AFLAC benefits with the premium?" : : : : : : : I've seen first hand amazing things a little money can do for a person when they've exhausted all of their savings, retirement, 2nd home mortgage, etc... to help pay the expenses involved with a major illness or accident. : : "little money" John, see above. We are not talking about buying Joe Six Pack a hot lunch since he's homeless, we are discussing the nuts and bolts of the policies. : : : Most folks who are not educated about the risks should take a look at some facts: : : Aren't the facts below good arguments for a comprehensive disability policy and low deductible GROUP health insurance with no underwriting? : : : Accidents are the 5th leading cause of death in the US for persons 1-35 yrs old : : : A debilitating accident happens in the United States every 2 minutes : : : 50% of men have a lifetime risk of developing cancer of some sort. : : : : : 1 in 3 women will develop a form of cancer in their lifetime. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer. : : : These are facts from National Safety Admin and the Cancer society. They are all verifiable. : : : Agent, I sure appreciate your comment about "please put something tangible". I too enjoy a good debate and not a bunch or ignorant arguing. If you have questions about AFLAC, I sure would like to help answer them to the best of my ability. I personally have AFLAC policies on myself and family and would suggest anyone who depends on a paycheck to live to have AFLAC in place. : : : As you said, please don't just disagree, if I have been too opinionated or unclear, please follow up. You can also visit my web site on the link below. Thanks!!! : : John, you have some well thought out responses, maybe the webmaster should give you your own AFLAC page? : : Agent : : : John Marshall Associate for AFLAC : : : : Eric: : : : : I just so happened to be doing an analysis on AFLAC's products. : : : : Right now the main problems i see with AFLAC are that instead of having two good comprehensive policies, say a medical and a disability policy, AFLAC breaks them down into : : : : 9 policies. Now if you add the cost of these 9 policies together? : : : : Another drawback is that even though these are group policies, they are still individually underwritten. So you may get turned down from a policy that you could really use because of pre existing conditions. : : : : Also there is a lot of limitations on these 9 separate policies, since each one alone covers little. : : : : The danger i see is that employers will be tempted to use AFLAC as a primary means of coverage, leaving employees with health issues (who really need a group health plan and REAL medical insurance), out in the cold. : : : : Even though it's spoken of as supplemental coverage, I believe the product is marketed as primary coverage, but you won't find that in writing. And many business owners have this as there primary coverage, with not protection for their employees who have pre existing conditions. : : : : Cheap for the employer, a great deal for AFLAC, but the for the sick employees? : : : : Also AFLAC agents that respond, i would respect and study your answer, only do not just say i am wrong or way off base. Post something tangible for myself and others to decide. Don't just disagree, in the spirit of debate please. : : : : Agent : : : : : Anyone have any information or guidance re how to determine whether to purchase any of the various AFLAC supplementary insurance policies available : : : : : at one's workplace? : : : : : If not, do you know where that information might be available?

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