America's Benefit Specialist October 2022

PRODUCT NEWS

The tools, content and resources were launched on a dedicated section for older adults and caregivers on FAIR Health’s free, award-winning consumer website, fair healthconsumer.org, which also houses tools and resources relevant to palliative care for seriously ill patients. The new tools combine clinical and cost information associated with different treatment options for early-stage breast cancer, hip osteoarthritis, hip re placement, spinal stenosis and fast-growing prostate cancer. FAIR Health also launched “total treatment cost” scenarios highlight ing the range of costs associated with three conditions particularly relevant to an older population: Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, heart failure and major depression. In addi tion to these tools, the newly created Older Adult section features explanatory content about the conditions, a section on financial health literacy, patient- and caregiver-orient ed checklists with suggested questions to ask providers, and links to external resources relevant to the conditions. FAIR Health will disseminate the tools to older patients, family caregivers, care part ners and providers in four major urban cen ters—New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago—and their environs. Providers can access the tools here on FAIR Health’s provider-centered website, fairhealthprovid er.org. An evaluation of the utility and value of the tools will follow in the wake of this launch.

so they can focus on recovery and getting back to work rather than financial stress. Highlights of the strengthened short-term disability product include: • expanded coverage for disabilities caused by common mental health conditions, in cluding but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, substance and alco hol use disorders • expanded coverage with no rate increases to policyholders • optional riders to help further amplify income protection coverage For more information, visit www.Aflac. com/business. FAIR HEALTH LAUNCHES HEALTHCARE COST INFORMATION TOOLS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS As part of an initiative funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, FAIR Health has launched five shared decision-making tools, three new FH Total Treatment Cost tools, educational content and resources related to the care of older adults. This initiative aims to advance shared decision making among older patients, especially those with serious illnesses, as well as their caregivers and care partners, by providing them with the information and resources needed to make informed healthcare decisions and better navigate the healthcare system. Access the tools here.

AFLAC ENHANCES INDIVIDUAL SHORT-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE Aflac recently announced the launch of its enhanced Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance to help employers better support the changing needs of their valued workers amid economic uncertainty and endur ing pandemic challenges. The company’s income-protection insurance product pro vides policyholders with a source of month ly income when a mental health condition or another covered injury or sickness leaves them unable to work. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, 21%, or nearly 53 million U.S. adults, experienced mental illness in 2020, and 46% of adults with mental illness received treatment. They go on to report that serious mental illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year. “More Americans are grappling with chal lenges that, in the past, may have received less attention but, in the wake of the pandemic, it is increasingly clear that mental health is a major concern for our customers,” said Aflac U.S. Deputy President Virgil Miller. “That is why Aflac is enhancing its offerings in the mental health space to provide solutions for consum ers who seek to protect not only their physical health, but their emotional well-being as well.” Aflac’s Individual Short-Term Disability product is a workplace benefit that can help protect the overall physical, financial and mental health of an employer’s workforce. With a variety of options, employees can tailor coverage to their specific needs and budgets,

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