End-of-life care refers to medical care of patients in the final days of their lives and also the medical care of those with a terminal condition that has become advanced, progressive and incurable. It is estimated that about a quarter of Medicare's annual budget is spent on care for patients in their final year of life.

Given the complexity of individual situations, end-of-life care demands a range of decisions that must weigh continued use of resources, quality of life, and medical experimentation among other considerations. Clearly, the cost versus benefit issues inherent in end-of-life care practice are critical to the U.S. and other health care systems worldwide. With this context in mind, the SOA's Health Section Research Committee is interested in exploring these issues.

The Health Section Research Committee is seeking proposals for a literature search on actuarial issues (as opposed to clinical and non-financial issues) related to end-of-life care from both a U.S. and worldwide perspective. Specifically, the Committee is interested in receiving proposals from graduate student(s) affiliated with a University that has been designated as a Center of Actuarial Excellence. The graduate student(s) would be advised by an actuarial practitioner with experience in this area. The actuarial practitioner, located in the Chicago area, has been recruited by the Committee and will review the work of the graduate student(s) as well as provide general direction.

It hoped that the results of this research will provide a useful reference document for practicing health actuaries. In addition, it is intended that the results will be the genesis for future research projects in this area.

To facilitate the evaluation of proposals, the following information should be submitted:

1. Resumes of the graduate student(s) expected to participate, indicating how their background, education and experience bear on their qualifications to undertake the research. If more than one researcher is involved, a single individual should be designated as the lead researcher and primary contact. The person submitting the proposal must be authorized to speak on behalf of all the researchers as well as for the firm or institution on whose behalf the proposal is submitted.
2. An outline of the approach to be used, emphasizing issues that require special consideration. Details should be given regarding the techniques to be used, collateral material to be consulted, and possible limitations of the analysis.
3. Cost estimates for the research, including computer time, salaries, report preparation, research costs, etc. Such estimates can be in the form of hourly rates, but in such cases, time estimates should also be included. Any guarantees as to total cost should be given and will be considered in the evaluation of the proposal. While cost will be a factor in the evaluation of the proposal, it will not necessarily be the decisive factor.
4. A schedule for completion of the research, identifying key dates or time frames for research completion and report submissions.
5. E. Ideas regarding the form and distribution of the final report, both for immediate release and for permanent reference (e.g., submission to North American Actuarial Journal, Other health care journals, SOA Monograph Series, CD ROM).
6. F. Other related factors that give evidence of a proposer's capabilities to perform in a superior fashion should be detailed.

The SOA Health Section Research Committee is responsible for the selection of the proposals to be funded. Input from other knowledgeable individuals also may be sought, but the Committee will make the final decision. The SOA's Research Actuary will provide staff actuarial support. A Project Oversight Group (POG) will be appointed to oversee the research along with the experienced researcher who is recruited.

Any questions regarding this RFP should be directed by fax, or e–mail to: Steven Siegel, SOA Research Actuary (f: 847.273.8578).

If you intend to submit a proposal, please send written notification by June 15, 2011 to Barbara Scott by e-mail (bscott@soa.org) or FAX (847.273.8592).

Please e–mail a copy of the proposal to: Barbara Scott.

Proposals must be received no later than July 1, 2011. It is anticipated that all researchers who have submitted proposals will be informed of the status of their proposal no later than August 2011.

Note: Proposals are considered confidential and proprietary.

The SOA Health Section Research Committee reserves the right to not award a contract for these research topics. Reasons for not awarding a contract could include, but are not limited to, a lack of acceptable proposals or a finding that insufficient funds are available to proceed. The SOA also reserves the right to redirect the projects as is deemed advisable. The SOA intends to copyright and publish the results of this research. The research will be considered work-for-hire and all rights thereto belong to SOA. However, appropriate credit will be given to the researcher(s).