Description: This is an article that highlights recommended reading by the Health Practice area communications committee. The readings cover a broad subject matter from risk assessment, medical technology to uninsured.

Description: This article discusses the new Kassebaum-Kennedy bill a.k.a. HIPPA and looks at future of individual health insurance plans, which will be determined at the state level.

Description: The author takes exception to criticism from the AMA about hospital discharge guidelines as being set by actuaries when, in fact, they are set by physicians based on actual practice.

Description: Q&A with President Life & Health US. Swiss Re. Neil Sprackling.

Description: This article explores the disruptive applications of blockchain, an emerging technology, and its impact on the pharmacy benefit space, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBM).

Description: This excerpt is from a presentation done by a panelist at the Intercompany Long-Term Care Insurance Conference Association closing session in Chicago in March. We can never fully express our thanks to the Alzheimer’s Association and Tom Doyle for the courage to share his moving story and optimism for the future.

Description: Can Direct-to-Provider Contracting Achieve Value-Based Care for Employer-Sponsored Plans? Direct-to-provider contracting is a strategy in which a self-insured entity negotiates a contract directly with a provider of healthcare services rather than through a third-party administrator (TPA), often with the goal of driving value-based care. This article discusses the considerations for employers and providers with direct-to-provider contracting.

Description: The Actuary Vol. 22, No. 6. The author provides commentary regarding an interview with Paul Barnhart reported on in The Actuary March 1988 concerning the controversy over health insurance reserves. Specifically the elements of the “Benefit Ratio Reserve” method were analyzed.

Description: This web page contains links to the following articles of interest to actuaries: 1. A July 9, 2011 New York Times editorial about recent studies suggesting that antidepressants aren’t effective after all, and 2. A March 10, 2011 Time Magazine article by Joel Stein titled, 'Data Mining: How Companies Now Know Everything About You.'

Description: Article discusses causes of high charges in relations to reimbursement arrangements and possible actions of insurers & payers. Issue No. 45.