Aflac, the No. 1 provider of supplemental and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States, has launched the Real Cost Calculator, an innovative online tool that helps consumers understand the costs associated with common illnesses and injuries such as cancer, heart attack, fractured limbs and others. With health care costs on the rise, consumers may not be aware of the out-of-pocket medical and household costs they will face if they or a family member are injured or diagnosed with an illness – even if they have major medical insurance.

Data from the calculator shows that medical conditions like cancer or stroke can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected out-of-pocket medical costs and expenses. For instance, the mean charge for a hospital stay for a heart attack is $65,427 according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.¹

Real Cost Calculator — Simple and Easy To Use
This interactive tool is designed to show in three easy steps, the potential out-of-pocket medical and household costs and other expenses that are associated with numerous injuries and illnesses. By visiting aflac.com/realcost, consumers can get a better understanding of these costs and how Aflac policies can help offset them.

"Every day I hear about consumers being blindsided by the unanticipated costs of a medical emergency. The reality is that costs for treatment show no sign of decreasing -- which can mean that consumers will need to cover a wide range of expenses associated with an accident or illness," saidMichael Zuna, Aflac executive vice president and chief marketing and sales officer. "Our goal with the Real Cost Calculator is to not just reveal how quickly these costs can add up, but to empower consumers to be more proactive when it comes to insurance and preparing for the unexpected. We're also able to show them how Aflac can help them in their time of need and cover a portion of those expenses."

How does the calculator work?
The Real Cost Calculator incorporates data from numerous national public sources to show the average costs of a variety of medical conditions. In the short time it takes to use the tool, consumers may be surprised to find:

• The average cost to treat a broken leg is more than $10,000.²
• The average annual expense for people diagnosed with diabetes is $11,744.³
• Some of the newer cancer treatments can cost about $10,000 a month.⁴

Visit aflac.com/realcost to test the new calculator and clearly see how Aflac helps offset the real cost of an illness or injury.