Description: This study was sponsored by the Society of Actuaries Health Section. This paper explores the relative significance of aging as a determinant of financial cost of health care beyond age 50, with particular attention to the effect for ages 65 and older. The paper presents concepts of aging factors and aging curves, which define relative values between ages for utilization or cost of health care services. General conclusions are drawn from Medicare data that utilization and cost differ by age, but that aging factors vary across services and may be less significant at very old ages. The author then turns to the question of measuring the significance of an aging curve assumption and what accuracy is lost in the simpler alternative of a single value across an age range.

Description: An overview of the Medicare Supplement landscape and the critical factors for successfully pricing and managing this product line amidst the challenges that exist.

Description: This presentation from Session 61PD of the SOA 1996 Orlando Annual Meeting provides an update on changes to the Medicare health program over the last couple years. In addition, the panelists discuss the merits of additional proposed changes from the White House and both sides of the aisle in Congress. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 22, No. 3.

Description: Teaching session on the working Medicare contracts: background on the origin of Medicare risk contracts, feasibility of an HMO or competitive medical plan entering the Medicare risk market, and outline of the HCFA adjusted community rate filing process.

Description: At this presentation from Session 72D of the SOA 1996 Colorado Springs Meeting, the panelists debate legislative changes to the Medicare program. Included is an overview of the changes in the 1995 legislation, expected savings in the Federal budget, a debate as to the realism of these expected savings, reaction of enrollees, and a discussion of anticipated effects on the private sector of the healthcare system. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 22, No. 2.

Description: Research report sponsored by SOA to model and compare projected costs of different proposals for a Medicare prescription drug coverage plan. 3 types of costs are studied: net benefit cost estimates per member per month, continuance table data, and projected annual costs to the government over 10 years for two selected plan designs.