Notifications from Aflac

We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Jan. 7, 2025, and ending Mar. 10, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent earthquake:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino counties affected by the earthquake, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Dec. 5, 2024, and ending Feb. 03, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To provide relief for New Mexico policy/certificate holders residing in Chavez County and affected by the severe flooding, Aflac will provide the following protections for policy/certificate holders:

  • Provide an extended premium grace period from Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, through Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2024.
  • Postpone cancelations and non-renewals from Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, through Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2024.
  • Offer a payment plan of at least six (6) months if unable to pay the delinquency after the extended grace period. This applies to all coverages except life. The policy/certificate holder should contact Aflac to make arrangement for repayment.
  • Waive late fees and penalties.
  • Provide an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy/certificate.
  • Allow additional time for actions required under the policy/certificate and the submission of documents due to limited access to service and mobility.
  • Provide a copy of the policy/certificate to the policyholder/certificate holder upon request.

In addition to the above, Aflac through Aflac Benefits Solutions will provide the following protections for Network Dental and Vision members and providers:

  • Waive referrals and prior authorization requirements for use of out-of-network providers for medically necessary services, whether emergent or not.
  • Waive cost-sharing and deductibles through Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2024.
  • Permit one eyeglass or contact lens replacement and one hearing aid replacement during the pendency of this Order, waiving frequency limitations.
  • Permit one replacement for dentures or other prosthodontic devices during the pendency of this Order, waiving frequency limits.
  • Extend medical providers’ reporting requirements for claims submissions and for additional information relating to claims through Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2024.

Affected members should contact Aflac Benefits Solutions at 855-819-1873, option 1, for assistance.


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Small-business employees are optimistic about the future, and here’s why.

Research findings from Aflac’s 2018 Small Business Happiness Survey

Small-business employees are optimistic about the future, and here’s why.

Research findings from Aflac’s 2018 Small Business Happiness Survey

White feather

Aflac’s survey of 1,000 small-business employees in the U.S. ages 18 and older who have been employed at an organization with 3 to 49 employees for at least one year.

How do they feel?

Small Business as a Happiness Driver

About half of employees surveyed say they are happiest working at a small business. Further, almost all respondents agree that employee happiness is at least somewhat (36%) or very (55%) important to their company’s leadership team.

Employee happiness is important to company leadership. 36% said its somewhat important; 55% said its very important.

Small-business employees are having more fun

A majority of employees surveyed perceive working for a small business to be less stressful and more fun.

Chart data; Do you think working at a small business is more stressful or less stressful than working at a large business? 7% said its very much more stressful; 29% said its somewhat more stressful; 20% said its very much less stressful; 45% said its somewhat less stressful.

Small-business employees are satisfied, and they feel their opinions matter at work

Almost all employees surveyed say they are satisfied working for a small business, with 59% saying they are very satisfied and 36% responding they are somewhat satisfied; only 2% responded that they are very unsatisfied.

Further, almost 9 in 10 employees feel like they have the opportunity to voice their ideas and opinions and have them heard and listened to.

Do you feel like you have opportunities to voice your ideas and opinions at work and have them heard/listened to? 86% said yes; 14% said no.
Chart data: Do you think working at a small business is more fun than working at a large business? 36% strongly agree; 51% somewhat agree; 2% strongly disagree; 11% somewhat disagree.

Top benefits of working for a small business

The top perceived benefits of working for a small business include more flexible scheduling and feeling more appreciated. Many small-business employees also agree that they have an impact at work and can see the fruits of their labor.

Chart data: Perceived biggest benefits of working for a small business: 25% Flexible work schedule; 19% Feeling more appreciated; 14% Feeling like your input matters; 12% Having a greater impact; 10% Seeing the fruits of your labor; 8% Rewarded for hard work; 6% Noticed by people who matter; 4% Broadening my skillset; 4% Other.

The best parts of working for a small business

When it comes down to the best part of working for a small business overall, “feeling like a family” has the highest rating among all employees surveyed.

Chart data: What is the best part of working for a small business? 32% Feeling like a family; 14% Greater ability to make an impact; 14% More recognition/appreciation for your work; 10% Greater transparency between employees; 10% More positive culture or work environment; 5% More collaboration; 5% Better opportunities for skill development; 4% Better opportunities for advancement; 3% Better benefits; 5% Other.

Business owner creating shipping labels

What are the challenges?

Salary and health care coverage rank as top challenges of working for a small business

Salary and health care coverage are almost equally ranked as the top-selected challenges of working for a small business, followed closely by finding coverage or a backup when co-workers need to take time off.

Chart data: Which of the following do you consider to be the greatest challenge when working for a small business? 28% Salary/benefits that match those offered by large employers; 27% Affordable health care coverage; 24% Coverage when coworkers need to take time off; 14% Work/Life balance; 6% Lack of training and other professional development opportunities; 2% Other.

Pay equity in small business is on the rise

Four in five small-business employees surveyed think they are being compensated equally with their co-workers. However, when asked if they think the small-business industry achieves success when it comes to equal pay, 48% of respondents believe there is room for improvement.

Chart data: Do you think the small-business industry achieves success when it comes to equal pay? 6% No, not at all; 16% No, but progress has been made; 48% Yes, but there is still room for growth; 30% Yes. completely.

Business owner creating plans

What lies ahead?

Overall, small-business employees’ perceptions of the future of the small-business industry are very positive. Though the future of health care reform and recent government regulations might make them uneasy, results show that small-business employees are looking on the bright side.

Chart data: How do you feel about the future of small business? 45% were very optimistic; 46% were somewhat optimistic. 1% were very pessimistic; 8% were somewhat pessimistic.
Chart data: Do you think recent government regulations (i.e., tax reform, health care reform) have benefited or harmed small businesses? 39% said no change; 25% said benefited; 37% said harmed.