The cancer and specified diseases plan provides coverage for annual screenings, medications, treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays related to diagnoses and treatment of cancer and covered diseases. The plan can also help with non-medical expenses by providing cash you can use at your discretion to cover other financial needs related to dealing with your illness. You can also purchase an additional rider for an ICU benefit.

If you enroll, the plan pays benefits in addition to any other coverage. It doesn’t decrease benefit payments by coordinating with other plans to pay up to a certain maximum amount. You don't pay a deductible, and there’s no lifetime maximum benefit amount.

If you choose the ICU coverage, you receive a benefit if you or an eligible dependent is confined in a hospital intensive care unit. This benefit pays for up to 30 days per period of confinement.

You may enroll yourself and your eligible dependents.

This coverage is not available to new enrollees age 70 or older or anyone who’s currently diagnosed with cancer or a covered disease, has been treated for internal cancer or a covered disease in the last five years, or has ever tested HIV-positive.

You can enroll during annual benefits enrollment by visiting the HISD Benefits website, clicking on Enrollment, and following the prompts. If you have a family status change, please call the HISD Benefits Service Center at 877-780-HISD (4473), choose a language and press 0. They are open weekdays (except holidays), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m to 4 p.m CST. More information about family status changes is available here.

If you sign up during benefits enrollment, your coverage can't start before the new plan year begins.

Yes, there is a pre-existing condition limitation. A pre-existing condition is any sickness or loss for which medical advice or treatment was received or recommended within 12 months prior to the effective date of coverage. 

To receive reimbursement for covered expenses, you must fill out the cancer and specified diseases claim form, available on the HISD Benefits Forms page.

You can also call Aflac Group at 800-433-3036, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time, weekdays (excluding holidays) and speak to a customer service specialist.