AFLAC Medicare Supplement Review

Who Is AFLAC?

Many people first recognize Aflac through its long-running advertising campaigns featuring the Aflac Duck, which helped make the brand widely recognizable. Behind the mascot, however, is a company focused on helping policyholders manage the financial impact of unexpected health events, complementing—not replacing—traditional health insurance coverage.

Aflac first entered the Medicare Supplement market back in 2012, but shortly after, in less than one year, they stopped selling new Medigap policies.  They took their time and, with extensive research, forecasting, and careful consideration, re-entered the Medicare Supplement business in 2022 with a bang.

Aflac (American Family Life Assurance Company) is a U.S.-based insurance company best known for providing supplemental insurance that helps cover expenses not fully covered by primary health insurance. Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac has grown into one of the largest providers of supplemental health and life insurance in the United States and Japan.  On June 14, American Family Corporation was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “AFL.  American Family Life was not only the first insurance company to offer cancer insurance in the U.S., but also was the pioneer of cancer insurance in Japan.

Unlike Medicare Supplements and traditional health insurance, which pay doctors, hospitals, or other medical providers, many Aflac policies pay cash benefits directly to the policyholder (unless otherwise assigned). This money can be used for medical bills, everyday living expenses, or anything else the insured chooses. The goal is to help individuals and families manage the financial impact of accidents, illnesses, and unexpected health events.

Why Choose An Aflac Medicare Supplement Policy?

Aflac Medicare Supplement Insurance offers a range of benefits that provide individuals with added financial security and peace of mind for their healthcare expenses. With rising medical costs and gaps in coverage, having a supplemental insurance plan like Aflac can be a valuable addition to your Medicare Part A, B and D coverage.

One of the key benefits of Aflac Medicare Supplement Insurance is the additional coverage it provides. While Original Medicare covers many healthcare expenses, there are still out-of-pocket costs that beneficiaries are responsible for. Aflac’s supplemental insurance plans can help fill those gaps by covering expenses such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Another advantage of Aflac’s Medicare Supplement Insurance is the flexibility it offers. With multiple coverage options available, individuals can choose a plan that best suits their needs and budget. Whether you’re looking for basic coverage or more comprehensive protection, Aflac has options to fit various healthcare needs.

What Medicare Supplement Plans Does Aflac Offer?

Aflac offers a range of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans designed to help pay some of the out‑of‑pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t fully cover, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. While the exact plans available can vary by state, Aflac generally offers several of the standardized Medigap plan types approved by the federal government.

In most areas, Aflac’s Medicare Supplement portfolio typically includes some combination of the following standardized plans:

• Plan A-This is the most basic Medigap option. It helps cover Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurance and hospital costs, as well as hospice coinsurance or copayments and the first three pints of blood each year.
• Plan B-Similar to Plan A, but it also covers the Medicare Part A deductible, which can significantly reduce your hospital-related out‑of‑pocket costs.
• Plan C (not available to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020)-Offers broader coverage, including the Part A and Part B deductibles, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits).
• Plan F(also not available to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020)-The most comprehensive Medigap plan. It covers nearly all Medicare‑approved out‑of‑pocket costs, including Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, excess charges, and foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits).
• Plan G-Very similar to Plan F, but it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. It does cover Part A deductible, coinsurance, excess charges, and foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits). For many people who are newly eligible for Medicare, Plan G is one of the most robust options available.
• Plan N-A cost‑sharing option where you may pay small copayments for certain office and emergency room visits. It covers Part A deductible, coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits), but does not cover Part B excess charges.

Because Medigap plans are standardized, the core benefits of each plan letter are the same regardless of the insurance company. What can differ between insurers like Aflac and others are:

• Monthly premiums
• Underwriting rules (if you apply outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or Guarantee Issue Period)
• Available discounts (for example, household or electronic payment discounts)
• Customer service and claims experience

Availability of specific Aflac Medicare Supplement plans depends on your state of residence, age, and Medicare eligibility date. To know exactly which Aflac Medigap plans are offered in your area—and what they cost—you’ll need to speak with a licensed insurance agent who represents Aflac and can provide state‑specific plan details and pricing.  Fill out the Customized Quote form or call (614) 402-5160 to ask questions, compare your options, and get quotes.

This way, you can compare Aflac’s options side by side and choose the Medicare Supplement plan that best fits your health needs and budget.

Plans You Can Choose From

Underwriting rules encompass many different aspects that determine if you are insurable, what plans design you are eligible for and how much you pay in premiums.  We’ll go over the basics but you’ll want to talk with our licensed agent who can help determine your eligibility, but the final assessment is always done by the underwriting department.  Rates and quotes can never be guaranteed by any agent.  They can only quote you rates based on the information you provide like listing your medications, answering the health questions, your zip code, age and gender.

Unless specified by your state of residence, you can choose from any plan Aflac offers.  However, there are a few exceptions:

1. Birthday and Anniversary Rule-If you are enrolling using an anniversary or birthday rule, most states who offer these guarantee issue periods limit the plans you can choose from.  For example, if you live in the state of Virginia, their birthday rule limits you to the same plan you have now like going from a Plan G with company X, to an Aflac Plan G.  Other, and fewer states allow the same or lessor benefits like going from a Plan G down to a Plan N.  Very few states allow you to change to any plan of your choice.    If you don’t pass, you can always use the anniversary or birthday rule when you’re eligible.
2. Guarantee Issue-If you are enrolling using any other gurantee issue rights like losing employer coverage, loss of Medicaid or you moved out of a Medicare Advantage service area, you’ll be limited to certain plans mandated by your state and or CMS.  You’ll be able to choose from most plans with the exception of a plan N.  If you want a plan N, slowly becoming the most sought after plan, you will have to go through medical underwriting by answering the health questions on the application.  They will also check your medical claims and RX history, and may require a telephone interveiw.  Again, if it’s Plan N you’re seeking, you have nothing to lose by trying to pass medical underwriting first.  If you don’t, then you can re-apply with Aflac for a Guarantee Issue policy.
3. If you have Medicare due to disablility, you are limited to the plans mandated by your state according to that state’s Guarantee Issue guidelines.

TIP:  If we think you can pass underwriting, then apply year round, go through underwriting and pick any plan!

Additional Aflac Products

Accident insurance- Helps cover costs related to accidental injuries.

Cancer and specified-disease insurance** – Provides benefits when a covered diagnosis occurs.

Critical illness insurance- Offers lump-sum benefits for serious conditions like heart attack or stroke.

Hospital indemnity insurance-Pays benefits for hospital stays and related services.

Short-term disability insurance-Replaces a portion of income if you’re unable to work due to a covered disability.

Dental and vision plans-Helps offset routine and unexpected dental or vision expenses.

Life insurance provides financial protection for beneficiaries after the policyholder’s death.