Description: This session will kick off the key National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) activities, with a primary focus on updates to principle-based reserve valuations and appointed actuary topics. The presenters will provide insights into the current set of activities and initiatives being considered by the NAIC Life Actuarial Task Force (LATF) and Life Risk-Based Capital Working Group, as well as activities being undertaken by American Academy of Actuaries committees and work groups.

Description: The National Academy of Social Insurance (the Academy) recently released a comprehensive study on models for states interested in pursuing social insurance initiatives for LTSS, paid leave and child care reform. The report explores strategies that states could pursue to better support families in meeting evolving care needs over the lifespan. Actuarial projections for illustrative policy options are included. The presenters will report back the Academy study panel's findings, provide in-depth insights into Washington State's new long-term care social insurance program, and briefly report on other state activity in the LTSS and paid leave domains.

Description: One of the Health Section's key focuses in 2019 is Initiative 18/11. Last year the SOA joined forces with the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) to answer the nagging question: “What can we do about the cost of healthcare?” A steering group has been formed to lead a research project as to what managed care companies can do to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. The project [called Managed Care 3.0 in the 18/11 paper] will examine historical models that have worked as well as investigate the impact that new technologies and care models may have on cost and quality, with the goal of better understanding the current environment and identify­ing potential risks and opportunities.

Description: Discussant comments for the 2009 Housing Wealth monograph paper, “Home Equity and At-Need Annuities—A Dynamic Long-Term Care Funding Duo”. The author finds that the ideas discussed in this paper should stimulate more thinking about financial products and public sector programs and how they can better serve older homeowners.

Description: Two years ago, before COVID-19 changed everything about how we provide and receive health care, telehealth was largely provided by third-party vendors to treat a narrow range of acute one-and-done conditions. The value proposition was simple: a fast and easy member experience would drive satisfaction and engagement; high member satisfaction and engagement would drive health plan savings and member retention. Clearly, from the perspective of utilization, telehealth—as a viable alternative to in-person care during a pandemic—worked. And with COVID-19’s nudge—or was that a push?—toward cultural acceptance, the health care system is in a better position to capitalize on telehealth’s original promise of expanded access, lower cost and better outcomes than it was two years ago. But in the wake of the pandemic, it is just as clear to us that if telehealth is to live up to its full potential, some changes are needed. The rest of this article presents five ideas for improving the delivery of telehealth going forward.

Description: Help consumers understand their rights in health care and understand how technology is embedded into the health care industry. On top of that, you will also hear about topics related to professionalism. During this webcast, you will learn about: ▪ An overview of the health insurance market ▪ Health care provider billing and contracting ▪ Recent trends with insurers and health care providers ▪ Identify areas of excessive billing and fraud ▪ The impacts of technology on billing practices ▪ An understanding pharmacy benefits, including discounts and rebates

Description: This document is a Request for Proposals (RFP) outlining a proposal request on the impact of the U.S. drug abuse epidemic on mortality, focusing on opioids. It provides details on the background, purpose, research objectives, proposal requirements, selection process, and conditions for submitting a proposal.

Description: A discussion of the contents of this issue of smalltalk including regulatory issues that impact insurance and smaller insurance companies. Also discussed are two major regulatory issues, health care reform and financial regulatory reform.

Description: Explore cutting-edge advancements in virtual care, including remote patient monitoring and care delivery in the metaverse, which build on the foundation that pandemic-era telehealth built. Gain a deep understanding of how these innovations are set to shape the future of telehealth and healthcare more broadly. By attending the session, you will be equipped with a roadmap of the key trends and opportunities in virtual care, and be able to identify potential challenges and solutions for their own organizations in leveraging these new tools.

Description: State Medicaid programs have broad flexibility to establish their own payment methodologies and rates for hospital services. Many states direct additional funding to populations, services, and hospitals where Medicaid comprises a disproportionate share of total business, or where there are other access concerns (e.g. rural providers). Actuaries can play a key role in determining where those additional funds would have the most benefit.