Description: Align carrier, agent, and consumer definition(s) of DTC to establish a collective understanding for the affected parties. Understand why a direct-to-consumer approach may be important for carriers’ and distributors’ growth and development goals, tactics and strategies. Use the agreed-upon baseline and understanding of DTC’s importance to establish and agree upon reasonable expectations for its role in marketing, distribution, and product development and performance. Position carriers and distributors together to align sales, marketing and performance expectations and incentives for all parties to increase the possibility of outperforming in (and outside of) the DTC space; design sales, marketing and distribution systems and approaches to meet consumers where they are at; and expand current sales and cultivate new markets to remain relevant and magnify profiles in an ever-changing industry.

Description: Learn about key actuarial and analytic tools and methodologies used by commercial health insurance to identify and quantify drivers of healthcare cost and utilization (including wasteful and low-value ones) and risks. Use case scenarios in which these tools and methodologies apply, such as underwriting, reinsurance, medical management for population health and chronic diseases, managed care contracting, insurance market reform, provider payment reform, etc., will also be covered. Experience from the U.S., China and other parts of the world will be shared.

Description: The prospects for China's health insurance has increased significantly in 2018, incentivized by a series of favorable government policies to support the development of commercial health insurance. However, the market still lacks relatively mature products and services. Overall there is a common understanding in the industry that good coverage plus service is the foundation for health insurance future development, and product innovation plus care management is key for an insurance company to maintain sustainable development in the competition. In this presentation, Dr. Yang will discuss the market trend both at home and abroad with respect to health management as well as its impact on product design, pricing and cost control. With the development of internet and big data, today’s health actuary has a special role in taking advantage of the digital transformation and achieving a high-quality and efficient health care service model.

Description: Andy Rallis delivers his speech at the presidential luncheon of the SOA 2019 SOA Annual Meeting & Exhibit in Toronto.

Description: Notes on the IAA meeting that took place in D.C. in May

Description: This article is about the need for actuaries and technical professionals to develop critical leadership and other soft skills, and highlights the ways the SOA Leadership & Development section provides tools to develop those skills.