Description: New research shows that we often make sub-optimal choices, when selecting a health insurance plan, that lead to unnecessary out-of-pocket expenditu

Description: Joe Wurzburger, Staff Fellow at the SOA, shares his views and insights about the health care industry in general and the Health Section's role in particular.

Description: Strategies to position Medicare Advantage plans for success during August resubmission.

Description: This article provides the perspective of the Health Section's chairperson on Section activities, educational programs and the US healthcare environment.

Description: Discussion of recent laws and regulatory changes that have provided Medicare Advantage plans greater flexibility in benefit offerings and plan designs.

Description: Discussion of insolvency provision added to reinsurance agreements to insure the continuation of benefits during HMO insolvency, Issue No. 39.

Description: Article discusses what happends when an insurer fails, role of the guaranty association and what is an ideal insolvency. From Health Section News, August 2000, Issue No. 38.

Description: As actuaries in health care, we spend most of our time focused on reviewing claims, enrollment and clinical data. That information is captured while patients are in health care facilities. Yet most people spend only a small fraction of their time in these facilities. This article explores what types of data are available to actuaries the provide a more holistic view of the member so that a members physical and emotional needs, the social determinants of health can be taken into consideration along with their clinical needs. Two uses cases are presented so actuaries can see how these types of analyses can be leveraged to improve clinical, operational, and financial performance of risk bearing health entities. Understanding the customer (member) not just the patient enables actuaries to provide new insights and values to our stakeholders across a wide range of business and risk applications.

Description: This is Part 2 of 2 on changes affecting Medigap insurers. It focuses on marketing and regulatory differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage that affect the competitiveness of Medigap plans.

Description: Article describes how Medicare Medical Savings Plans work and why they would be attractive option for insurance companies.