Cost of Revenue

Medical costs

Aflac Medical costs decreased by 3.7% to $1.83B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 5.8%, from $1.95B to $1.83B. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Medical costs shows a downward trend with a -8.9% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementIncome Statement
SectionCost of Revenue
CategoryProfitability
SignalLower is better
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2013
Last reportedQ1 2026

How to read this metric

A lower ratio of medical costs to premiums (Medical Loss Ratio) generally indicates better underwriting profitability.

Detailed definition

Expenses related to the provision of healthcare services and the settlement of medical claims for insurance policyholder...

Peer comparison

Specific to health insurance providers; not applicable to traditional banking institutions.

Metric ID: is_unh_medical_costs

Historical Data

20 periods
 Q2 '21Q3 '21Q4 '21Q1 '22Q2 '22Q3 '22Q4 '22Q1 '23Q2 '23Q3 '23Q4 '23Q1 '24Q2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26
Value$2.65B$2.61B$2.58B$2.49B$2.30B$2.34B$2.03B$2.15B$2.10B$1.86B$2.10B$2.01B$1.92B$1.60B$1.92B$1.95B$2.01B$1.44B$1.90B$1.83B
QoQ Change-1.7%-1.1%-3.6%-7.6%+1.8%-13.3%+6.0%-2.4%-11.3%+13.1%-4.4%-4.4%-17.0%+20.6%+1.1%+3.3%-28.6%+32.5%-3.7%
YoY Change-13.4%-10.3%-21.4%-13.6%-8.7%-20.5%+3.7%-6.5%-8.4%-14.2%-8.5%-3.2%+4.6%-10.0%-1.1%-5.8%
Range$1.44B$2.65B
CAGR-7.5%
Avg YoY Growth-8.6%
Median YoY Growth-8.6%

Business Segments

View all
SegmentQ2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26
Aflac Japan$1.15B$828.00M$1.12B$1.11B$1.17B$656.00M$1.07B$990.00M
Aflac U.S.$680.00M$694.00M$666.00M$716.00M$712.00M$681.00M$728.00M$734.00M
Total$1.92B$1.60B$1.92B$1.95B$2.01B$1.44B$1.90B$1.83B

Corporate And Other is derived from annual filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aflac's medical costs?
Aflac (AFL) reported medical costs of $1.83B in Q1 2026.
How has Aflac's medical costs changed year-over-year?
Aflac's medical costs decreased by 5.8% year-over-year, from $1.95B to $1.83B.
What is the long-term trend for Aflac's medical costs?
Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Aflac's medical costs has grown at a -8.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $10.58B to $7.29B.
What does medical costs mean?
The cost of paying for medical services and claims for insurance members.