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Aflac Strengthens Benefits Tech With bswift's AI-Powered Tools

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Key Takeaways

  • Aflac is bswift's exclusive launch partner for AI-powered carrier configuration tools.
  • Emma Intelligence configures plans, rates and rules from carrier documents for human review.
  • Easier implementation could improve AFL's distribution efficiency across employer and broker channels.

Aflac Incorporated (AFL - Free Report) is strengthening its position in workplace benefits as its products become easier to configure and deploy through bswift’s new AI-powered carrier configuration tools. Aflac is the exclusive launch partner for the capabilities, which are designed to simplify the addition, switching and updating of benefit plans on bswift’s platform.

The tools allow channel partners to upload carrier-specific plan documents, while bswift’s Emma Intelligence technology automatically configures plans, rates and rules for human review. This can reduce the manual effort involved in translating complex benefit documents into system-ready configurations while improving consistency and accuracy. The capability is particularly relevant for voluntary benefits, where eligibility requirements and plan structures can vary considerably.

For Aflac, easier configuration could support the distribution of its supplemental and voluntary benefits products across employer channels. Reducing administrative hurdles may make it easier for brokers and other partners to implement Aflac offerings, potentially improving the overall experience for employers and employees. The move also comes as insurers increasingly use technology to simplify benefits administration and strengthen digital distribution.

The partnership could complement AFL’s broader efforts to strengthen digital integration across workplace benefits and expand access to its products. While the new tools are unlikely to materially affect financial results immediately, wider adoption could support longer-term distribution efficiency.

Along with that, bswift’s plans to extend the carrier configuration capabilities to additional insurers also could increase the value of the platform over time. For AFL, being the initial carrier partner gives the company an opportunity to help shape a technology designed around its product structures. Greater use of AI in benefits administration may eventually make simpler implementation an additional differentiator for insurers competing for employer and broker relationships.

AFL’s Price Performance

In the year-to-date period, Aflac’s shares have risen 3% compared with the industry’s growth of 5.2%.

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AFL’s Zacks Rank & Key Picks

AFL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the insurance space are Horace Mann Educators Corporation (HMN - Free Report) , American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. (AII - Free Report) and Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HRTG - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Horace Mann Educators’ current-year earnings is pinned at $4.78 per share and has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. HMN beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 30.8%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $1.8 billion, implying 3.9% year-over-year growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for American Integrity Insurance’s current-year earnings is pinned at $3.82 per share and has witnessed four upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. AII beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 46.6%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $420.3 million, implying 52.3% year-over-year growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Heritage Insurance Holdings’ current-year earnings is pinned at $5.50 per share and has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against no movement in the opposite direction. HRTG beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 81.5%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $861 billion, implying 1.6% year-over-year growth.

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