Description: Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a newer model of primary care delivery in which patients or employers pay for care directly on a membership basis; insurance and other third-party payment is not used. Early studies show significantly improved patient health outcomes and lower expenditures for DPC patients compared with similar patients receiving traditionally delivered primary care. Additional research is needed to better understand physician perspectives about the model and the role of patient selection in early results.In this session we discuss research projects that may shed light on the DPC model and on whether early results indicate more about the model or about the patients who use it.We discuss an SoA research project that interviews DPC physicians to better understand their views about the model and its early results. We also discuss a paper that analyzes characteristics of patients who receive primary care from a DPC physician and compares them to characteristics of patients who receive primary care in more traditional ways. This cross-sectional study surveys all adult patients of a convenience sample of several DPC practices. Variables include demographics, socio-economic status (SES), type of additional coverage (if any), whether DPC fees are paid by an employer, and self-reported health status. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey is the main source of comparison data. For a given cohort of demographics and additional coverage, we determine whether DPC patients have similar health status, demographics and SES as non-DPC patients. This study will provide insight into the degree of selection into DPC by observable patient characteristics.

Description: Article describes enhanced primary care models and provides citations on whether or not health care savings have been achieved.

Description: The International Actuarial Association Health Section, the Society of Actuaries International Section, and American Academy of Actuaries (AAA) published the report “International Health Care Funding 2020”. This article highlights the features of the report.

Description: Compares the healthcare system of the US to the universal systems of selected other countries. Relies primarily on information compiled annually by The Commonwealth Fund. Will give the reader an understanding of the difference between universal healthcare, socialized medicine, and single-payer healthcare and how various national systems fall within these categories.

Description: On March 6, 2023, The Wall Street Journal hosted its Health Forum, a hybrid all-day event. The virtual meeting featured 11 different events. This white paper focuses on those events. The sessions were informative and fast-paced, with each one providing a quick hit of relevant and cutting-edge information around health care.

Description: Feature article featuring expert opinions on the future of health care

Description: Prior to the global pandemic, investment in new health technologies had already reached an all-time high. As the world begins to emerge from COVID-19, what new technologies will next take root in the health care system and how will those affect medical costs? This session will review recent research from the SOA Health Section on how new technologies are spread and adopted. Particular focus will be given to emerging modes of consumer engagement and highly-focused gene and cell therapies that are breaking new ground in combating rare diseases. (We plan on focusing on 2 technologies like Consumerism or Telehealth & Gene & Cell Therapy depending on availability of speakers or if there are other sessions in this virtual meeting covering the same topic)

Description: This session discussion is about health care trends including current experience, measurement problems, effect of selection, and variation by size of group. Also discussed is the new Medicare RBRVS physician fee schedule, anticipated cost shifting, and AIDS. From Record of Society of Actuaries 1990 Vol. 16, No. 4A.

Description: This 1991 panel discussion is about health care trend including current experience, measurement techniques and problems, uses of trend projections, and other considerations such as the impact of selection and the impact of initial and renewal underwriting practices. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 17, No. 3A.

Description: The momentum in value-based care has produced an opportunity for actuaries to become pioneers in health care