Aflac's Latest Product Offering to Shape the Future of Benefits Delivery

BenExtend(SM) is an innovative benefits strategy for employers seeking creative changes to their major medical approach

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Nov 01, 2017, 09:00 ET

COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States, is enhancing its benefits offerings through the launch of its BenExtend product. As the first release in an evolving life stages coverage line, BenExtend is a group insurance product that combines accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness benefits into one simple plan design. For employers seeking more creative solutions to manage health care costs while also trying to help employees manage out-of-pocket expenses, BenExtend delivers an innovative alternative to the marketplace.

"Simply put, BenExtend provides a next-level benefits strategy because it acts as a solution first and a product second," said Stephanie Shields, vice president of Product Innovation and Marketing at Aflac. "At Aflac, we recognize the future of health care is far from certain, and we champion the need to transform the traditional ways our industry has historically built and positioned products. BenExtend answers the call of our broker partners and employers who seek to offer benefits that adapt to evolving employee lifestyles while also containing costs."

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 84 percent of employers have begun to offer consumer-directed health plans. In 2017, high-deductible health plans (HDHP) range from $1,300 to $6,550 in out-of-pocket costs for an individual policyholder and $2,600 to $13,000 for a family.¹ BenExtend helps employees mitigate these costs and limit exposure to financial risk to help ensure they are able to maintain the lifestyle for which they are accustomed, even if the unexpected occurs.

Aflac's initial BenExtend release is available on an employer-paid basis for businesses with 100 or more benefits-eligible employees. Highlights of the plan include:

Health advocacy and bill negotiation services included at no additional charge to brokers, employers or employees.
High, middle and low options are available to accommodate a variety of client benefits budgets and scenarios. Each level features core coverages with premiums and benefits amounts differing based on the level selected.
Employers have the option to choose employee-only or full-family coverage.
Coverage is guaranteed issue, so insureds can enroll in coverage regardless of their health status with no underwriting questions.
Benefits are paid directly to the insured, unless otherwise assigned, and are paid regardless of any major medical insurance.
No waiting period for benefits to be paid.
No reduction in benefits as insureds get older.
Designed with health savings account (HSA) compatibility in mind.

Future releases planned in Aflac's life stages coverage line will continue to deliver even more flexible and unique coverage opportunities, further adapting benefits delivery to the demands of the ever-changing American workforce and ongoing shifts in the health care industry.

To learn more, visit Aflac.com.

¹ Miller, Stephen, CEBS. IRS Sets 2017 HSA Contribution Limits: Health savings account annual limit for individuals rises by $50. Society for Human Resource Management. May 2, 2016. Accessed Jan. 30, 2017 - https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/irs-sets-2017-hsa-contribution-limits.aspx

About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day Pay^SM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 11 consecutive years, Ethisphere has recognized Aflac as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2017, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the 19th consecutive year and in 2017 included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 16th time. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day Pay^SM, visit aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol.

Aflac Group products are underwritten by Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC). Aflac Individual products are underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. In California, group coverage is underwritten by Continental American Life Insurance Company.

CAIC's affiliation with the Value-Added Service providers is limited only to a marketing alliance, and CAIC and the Value-Added Service providers are not under any sort of mutual ownership, joint venture or are otherwise related. CAIC makes no representations or warranties regarding the Value-Added Service Providers and does not own or administer any of the products or services provided by the Value-Added Service providers. Each Value-Added Service Provider offers its products and services subject to its own terms, limitations and exclusions. Value-Added Services are not available in Idaho or Minnesota. Value-Added Services are also not available with group plans underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. State availability may vary. Continental American Insurance Company, a proud member of the Aflac family of insurers, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated.

Medical Bill Saver has restrictions for negotiations on in-network deductibles and coinsurance in Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Vermont.