Yes, membership is required in order to be eligible for any products sponsored through AOA on this page. Some products allow you to apply your spouse or family as well, where they do not need to be a member themselves.

No, not all products have the QuickDecision^SM process available. QuickDecision^SM is available for Group Disability Income Insurance, Group 10-Year & 20- Level Term Life Insurance and Group Term Life Insurance.

QuickDecision is a process available on this coverage that allows us to make an underwriting decision in real time based on your answers to health questions in the application along with database information gathered. Since we are often able to receive everything we need through this process, we can deliver your answer sooner. We review your records, including medical information, driving record, and prescriptions, and may be able to let you know our underwriting decision by the end of the application, or if more details are needed.

While the QuickDecision process is only available on amounts up to $1 Million for Term Life Insurance and $2 Million for Level Term Life Insurance, you can apply for more coverage. If we need more information, a representative will call you to schedule a convenient time to answer questions or, if needed, have a medical professional visit you at our expense.

Call our Member Benefits team at 1-855-749-7908 (Mon–Fri, 5 a.m.–4 p.m. MST) to get started. They’ll guide you through the documents required for your specific product claim.

Contact the LTCRplus benefits concierge for assistance at (844) 582-7587.

Visit www.ClaimFormAssist.com for more information on submitting your Cancer claims.

Emergency Assistance Plus is a membership program, not insurance. Therefore, all services must be arranged and provided by EA+ at the time of service. Since this is a service that assists in real-time, all the paid services under your membership will be arranged and paid in full upfront by EA+ as necessary at the time of need, so you never have to worry about making payments upfront and getting reimbursed later. To arrange services, please contact the Emergency Assistance numbers located on the back of your membership card, also provided here for convenience:

Within U.S.: 866-816-2073
Outside U.S.: +1-603-328-1752

Emergency Assistance is available 24/7/365 days a year. 

QuickDecision is a process available on this coverage that allows us to make an underwriting decision in real time based on your answers to health questions in the application along with database information gathered. Since we are often able to receive everything we need through this process, we can deliver your answer sooner. We review your records, including medical information, driving record, and prescriptions, and may be able to let you know our underwriting decision by the end of the application, or if more details are needed.

While the QuickDecision process is only available on amounts up $2 Million for Level Term Life Insurance, you can apply for more coverage. If we need more information, a representative will call you to schedule a convenient time to answer questions or, if needed, have a medical professional visit you at our expense.

You may apply for anywhere between $100,000 and $2,000,000, in multiples of $10,000, if you are an AOA member under age 70 for the 10-year term and a resident of the United States (except territories) and Puerto Rico. You may also apply for coverage for your lawful spouse under age 70 for the 10-year term in multiples of $10,000. Your spouse coverage amount cannot exceed yours.

If your spouse is also an AOA member, they are eligible for either member or dependent coverage, but not both. If both you and your spouse are covered as members, neither may insure the other as spouse and only one may insure any eligible children.

Insurance will take effect on the date your application is approved by New York Life Insurance Company, provided the initial contribution is paid within 31 days after the date you are billed and any person to be insured is actively performing the normal activities of a person in good health of like age (NC residents: a person of like age) on the date of approval.

Anyone not performing their normal daily activities as required will not become insured until the day they are performing such activities, provided such date is within three months of the date insurance would have been effective, and the person is still eligible.

Coverage will end when the insured person reaches age 80 (age 18 for children, age 24 for children who are full-time students) or if any of these conditions are met: Premium contributions are not paid when due; the group policy is terminated or modified to end insurance for the group of insureds to which you belong; you request to terminate insurance.

In addition, dependent coverage will terminate when your coverage ends, or when the dependent eligibility requirements are no longer being met. Upon your death, dependent insurance inforce will continue if the available conversion right has not been exercised and premiums are paid.

Only after you are approved. You’ll then receive a premium notice along with your Certificate of Insurance.

QuickDecision is a process available on this coverage that allows us to make an underwriting decision in real time based on your answers to health questions in the application along with database information gathered. Since we are often able to receive everything we need through this process, we can deliver your answer sooner. We review your records, including medical information, driving record, and prescriptions, and may be able to let you know our underwriting decision by the end of the application, or if more details are needed.

While the QuickDecision process is only available on amounts up $2 Million for Level Term Life Insurance, you can apply for more coverage. If we need more information, a representative will call you to schedule a convenient time to answer questions or, if needed, have a medical professional visit you at our expense.

You may apply for anywhere between $100,000 and $2,000,000, in multiples of $10,000, if you are an AOA member under age 60 for the 20-year term and a resident of the United States (except territories) and Puerto Rico. You may also apply for coverage for your lawful spouse under age 60 for the 20-year term for $100,000 to $2,000,000 of coverage, in multiples of $10,000. Your spouse coverage amount cannot exceed yours.

If your spouse is also an AOA member, they are eligible for either member or dependent coverage, but not both. If both you and your spouse are covered as members, neither may insure the other as spouse and only one may insure any eligible children.

Insurance will take effect on the date your application is approved by New York Life Insurance Company, provided the initial contribution is paid within 31 days after the date you are billed and any person to be insured is actively performing the normal activities of a person in good health of like age (NC residents: a person of like age) on the date of approval.

Anyone not performing their normal daily activities as required will not become insured until the day they are performing such activities, provided such date is within three months of the date insurance would have been effective, and the person is still eligible.

Coverage will end when the insured person reaches age 80 (age 18 for children, age 24 for children who are full-time students) or if any of these conditions are met: Premium contributions are not paid when due; the group policy is terminated or modified to end insurance for the group of insureds to which you belong; you request to terminate insurance.

In addition, dependent coverage will terminate when your coverage ends, or when the dependent eligibility requirements are no longer being met. Upon your death, dependent insurance inforce will continue if the available conversion right has not been exercised and premiums are paid.

Only after you are approved. You’ll then receive a premium notice along with your Certificate of Insurance.

The AOA’s Group Business Overhead Expense delivers valuable benefits to help you cover practice expenses such as:

• Rent or the mortgage interest on your office
• Utilities like electricity, heat, water and the phone
• Employee salaries
• Payments for group insurance and pension plans
• Real estate taxes or property taxes
• Rental of business equipment (except for automobiles)
• Other normal and customary fixed expenses necessary to operate your practice

The AOA Group Business Overhead Expense Insurance pays valuable benefits if a covered injury or illness leaves you totally disabled and unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation. You must also be under the regular care of a physician. Material and substantial duties are those that are normally required in your occupation and cannot be reasonably omitted or modified.

No. After four months of total disability, we will waive any further premiums that come due. Your business overhead expense benefits will continue in full force as long as you remain disabled from that injury or sickness.

Insurance will take effect on the first of the month on or following the date your application is approved by New York Life Insurance Company, provided the initial contribution is paid within 31 days after you are billed and any person to be insured is actively at work performing normal activities of a person in good health of like age on the day of approval. If any dependent proposed for coverage is not performing his/her normal activities as required, coverage will not take effect until he/she is performing such activities provided such date is within three months after the date insurance would have been effective and the person is still eligible.

Coverage will end when the insured person reaches age 75, or earlier if: (a) the premiums are not paid when due, (b) the group coverage is terminated or modified by the policyholder or New York Life Insurance to end insurance for the group of insureds to which the member belongs, (c) When you begin active duty in the armed forces (d) if the insured requests to terminate insurance, and (f) the date the insured person no longer incurs Covered Expenses for Business Overhead Expense Insurance due to the dissolution of his/her association with the business office facility on which benefit payment is based.

Your coverage will begin on the first of the month following the date your application is approved by New York Life Insurance Company, provided you are Actively-at-Work full-time on the date, meet required evidence of insurability requirements and the premium is paid. Benefits will begin on the first day of a covered total disability after completion of the applicable Waiting Period. Benefits will continue until the earlier of (a) the day the insured ceases to be totally disabled or (b) the end of the maximum benefit period.

Your coverage will end when you are no longer at full-time work, you reach age 75, you stop paying your premiums when due, when you receive covered total disability benefits for the maximum benefit period, when you begin active duty in the armed forces, or the date the group policy ends.

Some disability policies limit their definition of total disability to the inability to work in any job. This means you might be eligible for benefits if you are sick or injured but still able to work in another profession. This policy uses an own occupation definition of disability, meaning you’re eligible to receive benefits if you can’t perform the duties of your own profession as an optometrist. 

You can apply for a monthly benefit amount up to $12,500 (in $100 increments), provided the benefit you select does not exceed 60% of your average monthly income. If you’re under age 45 and have practiced for six months or less, you can apply for up to $2,000 in monthly benefits.

Monthly benefits from employer-paid disability insurance are likely to be taxable, reducing the true amount of protection the coverage provides. The benefits from this AOA-sponsored coverage are tax-free under current tax law as long as you pay your own premiums. If you own your own business, you may choose to claim your premium as a tax deduction. Consult your tax advisor.

As your income has probably increased over time, the level of protection you now carry may no longer be enough to help cover the living expenses that would continue should you become disabled. Using this policy to increase your total coverage can help you avoid having to use savings and investments intended for other purposes, including retirement.

Also, unlike many employer-provided policies, you can keep this coverage without interruption, even if you change jobs or become self-employed, provided premiums are paid when due and you remain actively at work. This policy can add an extra layer of protection that will move with you throughout your career.

Your coverage will begin on the first of the month following the date your application is approved by New York Life Insurance Company, provided you are Actively-at-Work full-time on the date, meet required evidence of insurability requirements and the premium is paid. Benefits will begin on the first day of a covered total disability after completion of the applicable Waiting Period. Benefits will continue until the earlier of (a) the day the insured ceases to be totally disabled or (b) the end of the maximum benefit period.

Your coverage will end when you are no longer at full-time work, you reach age 70, you stop paying your premiums when due, when you receive covered total disability benefits for the maximum benefit period, when you begin active duty in the armed forces, or the date the group policy ends.

The AOA Group Short-Term Disability Income Insurance pays valuable benefits if a covered injury or illness leaves you totally disabled and unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation. That means you’re covered for injuries caused by car accidents, falls, exercise or sports injuries, or serious illnesses like cancer, strokes, heart disease, complications of pregnancy, and much more. Please refer to the Terms tab for more information on exclusions and limitations.

Under current tax law, your AOA Group Disability Income Insurance benefits may be tax-free as long as you pay your own premiums with after-tax dollars. That means you will receive the benefit amount you applied for in the event of a covered disability. If you own your own business, you may instead choose to claim your premium (or premiums for your employees) as a tax deduction. Check with your accountant for details and guidance on current tax law and the options available to you.

If you are under age 60, then after you’re totally disabled for 6 consecutive months, we will waive any further premiums that come due as long as you remain disabled from that injury or sickness.

Insurance will take effect on the first of the month on or following the date your application is approved by New York Life Insurance Company, provided the initial contribution is paid within 31 days after you are billed and any person to be insured is performing normal activities of a person in good health of like age (NC Residents: a person of like age) on the day of approval. If any dependent proposed for coverage is not performing his/her normal activities as required, coverage will not take effect until he/she is performing such activities provided such date is within three months after the date insurance would have been effective and the person is still eligible.

(a) the premiums are not paid when due, (b) the group policy is terminated or modified by the policyholder to end insurance for the group of insureds to which the member belongs, and (c) if the insured requests to terminate insurance. In addition, dependent coverage will terminate when the dependent spouse or child ceases to be an eligible dependent.

You can name any beneficiary you wish for member coverage. You may change this beneficiary at any time, by written request. Your beneficiary is the person(s) last designated by you in writing, and recorded by or on behalf of New York Life Insurance Company. You are the automatic beneficiary for dependent insurance, as described in the Certificate of Insurance. If you wish to name another beneficiary for dependent spouse or child insurance, contact the administrator at 1-866-331-0180 for the applicable form.

There are two important reasons many doctors of optometry add the AOA Opti-Life to their family’s financial safety net. First, even if you already have coverage through work, it may not be enough to meet the full life insurance needs of your family. And secondly, if you decide to change jobs or open your own practice, those benefits through a previous employer will likely end. But this coverage isn’t tied to any job or any company. So you can rest assured your coverage can stay in force. No matter what changes occur in your career, as long as you pay your premiums when due and remain an AOA employee, the policy remains in effect.

Absolutely. In the event of a covered fatal accident, your loved ones will collect the additional Accidental Death Benefit that doubles your life benefit amount. For instance: If you’re insured for $100,000 in life coverage, your family would get $200,000 benefits if you fell victim to a fatal car accident. This accidental death coverage is automatically included in the group term life for you and your spouse at no additional cost.

This no cost term coverage is not available to all AOA members. This coverage is only available for qualified AOA graduating students and residents of the United States (except NV, NH, NM, and UT). If you were in the recent year’s graduating class and did not receive this offer please contact the administrator to see if you are eligible.

This coverage offer is dependent on AOA program experience and is not guaranteed for future years. 

The AOA Member Group Insurance Program assumes the cost.

You must have activated the no-cost insurance within 15 days of receipt of your reward package. If you failed to activate this coverage, the Certificate of Insurance is invalidated and no coverage will be provided. Contact your administrator for details by calling (866) 331-0180.

This no cost term coverage is not available to all AOA members. This coverage is only available for qualified AOA graduating students and residents of the United States (except NV, NH, NM, and UT). If you were in the recent year’s graduating class and did not receive this offer please contact the administrator to see if you are eligible.

This coverage offer is dependent on AOA program experience and is not guaranteed for future years. 

The AOA Member Group Insurance Program assumes the cost.

You must have activated the no-cost insurance within 15 days of receipt of your reward package. If you failed to activate this coverage, the Certificate of Insurance is invalidated and no coverage will be provided. Contact your administrator for details by calling (866) 331-0180.