AFLAC Flex One

I signed up for the Flex One plan through AFLAC at work. If you can get your employer to have an AFLAC rep come in to talk to the employees about this, it’s a good thing. I don’t know if they have individual plans for this. Here’s how it works. Your employer deducts an amount you specify from your paycheck, and this is before taxes. You then submit to AFLAC all your unreimbursed medical expenses and you get the money back from them in about a month. This helps me to save money on taxes. It may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. By the end of the year, I’ve paid 20% of my Zometa infusions (since it’s done in a hospital, and I’m on an 80/20 plan – it comes out to about $300 a month!). I’ve paid an awful lot of co-pays for Dr. visits and drugs too. Yes, I still have to pay, but at least now the money I’m using is tax-free. They also cover diabetic testing supplies, which I need for dex days, acupuncture and other things like that. I tried to submit my supplements, but they denied that. It was worth a try. :)

Here’s a short list of things you can be reimbursed for (and not have to pay income tax or bother deducting medical expenses at tax time.)

• Ambulance service, birth control, contact lense solution, crutches
• Rx drugs, elastic hose (with Rx), eye glasses/contacts
• Acupuncture, chiropractor, psychoanalyst, hearing devices
• Medical copayments & deductibles, smoking cessation products (with Rx)

I’ve had trouble with AFLAC a few times, with the cancer plan, but I do think they’re a good company. If you’re like me, and still in the workforce, this FLex One plan can help save a little money. Even with good healthcare coverage through BCBS of North Carolina, MM has had a pretty serious impact on my finances.

I hope this info will be useful!