Half of All Employees Don't Understand Cancer Coverage

April 2009

Half of Working Amercians with health insurance say they dont' have a clear understanding of whaty their health insurance covers for medical expenses related to cancer treatment. A recent nationwide survey of 1,067 full-time employees covered by health insurance conducted online by Harris Interactive found that:

51% of employees surveyed say they don' have a clear understanding of what their health insurance covers for cancer realted treatment
When asked if their health insurance would cover most of the expenses if they or a family member were diagosed with cancer, six percent said "no" and 40% said they didn't know.

The survey also found thahe lack of understanding is relatively the same amoung both gender and age groups.

These answers show that most employees don't have an accurate understanding of what their benefits will cover because statistics show more than half of cancer treatment costs are not covered by major medical insurance.

Cancer costs the American public more than $219 billion a year and only 41% ofthese costs are direct costs covered by most major medical plans...The remaining 59% are indirect costs the consumer pays for things such as lost wages or salary, deuctibles, travel expenses to and from treatment centers, child care, lodging and meals, experimental treatment, second surgical opinions, etc Statistics also say one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetimes. Early detection can ensure a better survival rate.

Source Cancer Facts and Figures American Caner SOciety 2008

Aflacs Cancer coverage pays for experimental treatments, travel, lodging, private nursing, second surgical opinion, hopsital stays, annual wellness exams and much more. For the cost of approximately one Starbuck per week, or a pack of cigarettes, can you afford not to have the extra protection.

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