Description: There have been a variety of proposals related to expanding eligibility for Medicare, ranging from a publicly funded program to a full buy-in option. This session will explore the actuarial implications of various buy-in proposals and the potential impact that such policy changes could have on the health care market landscape. In particular, we will discuss the ways in which program eligibility requirements, plan designs, provider reimbursement arrangements, network design, rating rules, and subsidies could affect premium levels and membership volume in a Medicare buy-in market, as well as the potential side effects on providers and existing health care markets.

Description: The Triple Aim is a vision to improve the health of populations, create a better quality of life, and reduce per capita spending for the benefit of communities.(http://www.ihi.org/Topics/TripleAim/Pages/default.aspx) While much public attention on wellness has focused on topics such as obesity and smoking, it would be beneficial if greater emphasis was placed on raising the bar of oral health. The mouth plays an important role in overall health and wellness. Routine oral care helps prevent dental problems and appears to positively affect chronic conditions before they develop into complex, more expensive ones. This purpose of this session is to increase awareness of the importance of oral health, the consequences of poor oral health, and the link with socioeconomic characteristics. This session will explore and highlight studies completed in this space by both researchers and payers. Actuaries interested in learning more about the impact of oral health and overall health, relevant interventions that have been undertaken, areas for potential financial savings, and issues relating to public policy applicable to oral health would benefit from attending this session.

Description: More and more providers are desiring risk-based contracts instead of traditional FFS-based contracts. This session is intended to outline some of the actuarial best practices in risk-based contracting related to the many flavors of the CMS ACO programs, as well as Commercial risk-based contracts.

Description: This session is about managed-care provider networks: organizing networks, information needs, monitoring utilization and risk/reward methodologies. From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 19, No. 1A.

Description: The session covers strategies and products health plans are developing to address consumer choice. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 27, No. 1, Session 121