Description: "Advancing health equity is one of the five strategic objectives outlined in the CMS Innovation Center's strategic objectives for the next ten years and is an increasing area of focus across many states. Focus in on recent developments in addressing Medicaid beneficiary needs related to social determinants of health (SDOH), health-related social needs (HRSN), and health disparities and inequities in Medicaid. Several states have introduced non-traditional benefits into their programs in recent years to address these areas, such as various types of housing supports, nutrition-related benefits, and enhanced/advanced case management support. Expect a discussion on the benefits introduced recently in states such as AZ, CA, MA, NC, and OR, including funding considerations around these benefits as well as the 1115 demonstration waiver authorities granted to these states to allow coverage for these non-traditional health care services.

Description: This research examines the intersection of US insurance ratemaking and analytics techniques in advanced modern rating systems and associated regulatory considerations in the US.

Description: Illustration testing can be complicated as the number of in-force illustrations continue to grow. AG 49 and AG 49-A complicate management of policies that have indexed based interest credits. This workshop will encourage discussion of practices and problems faced by companies complying with the Illustration Model Regulations, ASOP 24 and/or AG 49/AG 49-A.

Description: This paper uses the ideal quasi-natural experiment of government-subsidized agricultural insurance program phased out in different regions of China since 2007 to study the effects and transmission mechanisms of the program on alleviating regional poverty using a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach. Specifically, this paper identifies the causal effects on the incidence, depth and intensity of poverty among rural residents. The research has important policy implications. First, this paper uses the program as a case to provide a research paradigm to estimate effects of implementing policy instruments that combine markets and government mandates. Second, as common prosperity is now a government imperative, the research also provides insights into ways insurance can be used to hedge income risks, alleviate poverty and help achieve more equitable distribution. The paper has been published on WeChat account of Chinese Association of Actuaries on February 9, 2022. The full version has been published in CSSCI journal Insurance Research, issue 11, 2021.

Description: Update on federal tax legislative and regulatory developments relevant to life insurers and their products.

Description: LTCi rate increases are large and becoming larger. As more and more policyholders cannot afford the cumulative impact, they need some relief - like access to the large contract reserve they have funded for the benefits they can no longer afford.

Description: IRS published final regulations on updated life expectancy and distribution period tables used for determining RMDs. The article intends to provide an overview on the development of the final regulations and highlight the key updates in final regulations, the transition rules to apply final regulations and some of the relevant issues not addressed in final regulations (e.g. MITT, Rev. Rul. 2002-62 and Notice 2004-15). The article also briefly discusses what financial institutions and actuaries would like to do before the regulations become effective on Jan. 1, 2022.

Description: Discussion of recent developments in the taxation of noncoordinated benefits such as fixed indemnity, hospital indemnity, and specified disease insurance policies. Developments include a recent Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum and proposed triagency rulemaking that would impact non coordinated benefits.

Description: The world of climate risk disclosures has seen dizzying levels of change in the last few years. In 2023, many regulators have publicly issued guidance on what insurance companies and other FIs should look to disclose. So what are we seeing in these disclosures and how do we use this information? Join our panel of experts to learn about the evolution of U.S. life insurance industry's climate disclosures and how insurers of all sizes and complexities are responding to NAIC's requirements.

Description: Gather with members and non-members in the China actuarial community to discuss recent topics and related issues in areas such as macroeconomic sharing, pension, investment, product strategy, and more.