Description: Explanation of Medicare Advantage STAR rating program as it relates to payment rates for MA bids. Also describes important features of the program from an actuarial perspective, how the components of the STAR rating are calculated and implications and considerations for actuaries.

Description: Listing of articles of interest to SIPF Section members from the January 2010 issue of In The Public Interest.

Description: This article describes Singapore's Central Provident Fund and how it involves government, employers and employees in a cooperative partnership for mandatory savings and investment to assist with the primary lifetime goals of home ownership, medical care and retirement provision.

Description: This article is the second in a two part series that summarizes a longer paper that can be downloaded from the website of the Social Insurance and Public Finance Section. Both articles take the form of a point-counterpoint dialogue addressing important aspects of social insurance programs. The first part discussed their nature, desirability and advantages, as well as whether they can form a framework to achieve sustainable inter-generational equity. This article focuses on whether pre-funding of a social insurance program can occur and can contribute to the financial security of the participants. Fundamental differences of opinion exist regarding these programs, not only due to different personal and political values, but also as a result of the viewpoint taken (for example, assessment of the program in isolation, consideration of the sponsoring government's financial situation, or the overall national economy).

Description: This open forum is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 3-5 in Colorado Springs. The panelists discuss actual experiences related to consulting on plan design issues, including the effect of regulatory restriction on plan design, such as the nondiscrimination rules, further application of cash balance plans, and other recent developments that affect plan design. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 17, No. 3B.

Description: This session discussion is about under 25 life group medical reform, model bills, state variations, congressional proposal, community rate implications, effect of RBRVS on provider fees and plan cost. From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 17, No. 4A.

Description: This 1991 panel discussion is about delivering adequate universal health coverage. The panelists discuss the Canadian national health care system, Oregon's plan to seek a Medicaid waiver to implement a new format within which health care will be reimbursed, and the American Medical Association's [AMA's] Health Access America reform proposal. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 17, No. 4A.

Description: This presentation is a Health Section meeting from the 1991 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 20-23 in Toronto. The session leader, the incoming chair of the section, covers administrative matters, and then the next speaker addresses a newly completed research project, sponsored by the Society and Health Section, on the variation by duration in small group medical insurance claim costs. The speakers then discuss current developments in small group reform, and the various parties involved, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners [NAIC], and the Health Insurance Association of America [HIAA], and the work that has been done, including modeling to address the impact of a small group reform mechanism. The speakers discuss how the various parties' objectives can differ. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 4B.

Description: This session is about the details of the inception and implementation of the Oregon Health Plan. From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 18, No. 1B.

Description: 1992 SOA Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. This session reviewed IRS rulings, regulations and announcements pertaining to pensions which were issued in 1991-1992. Specific areas addressed included: 1. Distribution tables. 2. Non-discrimination regulations. 3. Determination of highly compensated employees. 4. Determination letter program. 5. Rollovers. 6. Distributions. 7. Cash balance plans. 8. New directions in the examination program.