Firefighters’ Cancer Insurance Rate Decrease & Incentive Program

The Georgia Firefighters’ Cancer Program (GFCP) continues to operate successfully since it began January 1, 2018, the effective date of the Georgia law that requires all legally organized fire departments to provide and maintain specific cancer insurance coverages for all eligible full-time, part-time, and volunteer firefighters in the State. Coverage was designed to help bridge financial gaps firefighters encounter following a diagnosis of cancer, helping with extra expenses such as deductibles, co-pays and out-of-network treatments, and with offsetting loss of income. The benefits provide some peace of mind so the firefighter can focus on healing. The program for Georgia counties is administered by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and is fully insured by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company (A.M. best rating of A+(Superior)).

 

ACCG continues to enhance the program benefits and reduce the cost for its members’ firefighters. While The Hartford originally provided a three-year rate guarantee to show their commitment to Georgia firefighters, they agreed to drop the rates by 15% for the third year (2020) since the losses had not been as high as anticipated. As of January 1, 2021, rates will decrease by another 5% for critical illness and 15% for long-term disability coverage! The ACCG Firefighters’ Cancer Benefit Program currently has 117 member counties – more than any other insurer in the State, and firefighters have expressed their appreciation for the excellent service provided by The Hartford.

 

Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS), the loss control provider for the ACCG and Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) pool programs, encourages Georgia firefighters to be aware of the best practices that can prevent firefighter cancer. LGRMS has been promoting the Lavender Ribbon Report to GFCP members and will award two fire departments up to $5,000 in reimbursement for the purchase of a washer extractor if they train at least 80% of their department employees on the report. The Application must be submitted and training must be completed by November 30, 2020. More information on the Incentive Program can be found here: https://www.lgrms.com/Resources/LGRMS-Firefighter-Cancer-Awareness-Incentive-Progr.aspx