Aflac
Ripoff delays reimbursements from flexible spending accounts

We switched to AFLAC this year for our flexible spending accounts and what a nightmare! They have returned over 50% of my requests for reimbursement for the stupidest and deliberately onorous reasons delaying payment. Doctor Visit is too vague—you must tell them the reason, amount charged, and give them the insurance form showing the insurance company did not cover the copayment. Give me a break! That way you have to wait 1-3 weeks for it to be billed, then another 1-3 weeks for the claim to be processed, then wait for it to be mailed then submit it. ANYONE ELSE takes your receipt of the copayment to reimburse it when you spend the money! But this way AFLAC can earn interest on it for the 4-8 weeks it takes for it to go through the insurance!

Dependent care is even worse! I have spoken to the IRS on several ocassions in regard to dependent care accounts. They confirmed that dependent care expenses are eligible for reimbursement when the expense is PAID (i.E.incurred). Section 125 of the IRC says that the expense is eligible for reimbursement when it is incurred. There is a statement in the code that expenses are eligible for reimbursement upon the date of service. It is an either or statement not an excuse (this is the word the IRS Taxpayers Advocacy used) not to pay the claim when the expense is INCURRED. It is a common and acceptable accounting procedure to pay dependent care expenses upon proof of payment (i.E. A receipt).

Well, the employee says AFLAC doesn't do it that way and you can't get reimbursed until after the service is provided. Basically, tough. I told them I was filing a complaint and they said feel free. What great customer service huh!

So all the summer camps you have to pay in March won't get reimbursed until months later in the summer. What a deal! In 8 years with other companies (benisource last year for example) this has never happened before.

I had such a positive view of AFLAC and was actually happy when I heard we had switched to them. What a huge disappointment! I will not be signing up for this "benefit" next year. Benisource might have taken longer at times but at least I didn't have to jump through hoops and provide tons of extraneous and unnecessary documentation every time I needed to be reimbursed!

Company: Aflac
Country: USA
State: Maryland
City: Frederick
Site: aflac.com

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