Description: This paper was prepared to facilitate discussions with the New York State Insurance Department concerning price regulation and the application of minimum loss ratio standards for individual health insurance. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1982, Vol. 34.

Description: Exploration of sources of volatility in retiree health valuations, noting how volatility arises and might be mitigated, with discussion of valuation parameters more problematic for retiree health benefits than for pensions. Three significant influences on retiree health valuation volatility are covered-- changes in benefit level, fluctuations in cost level, and alterations in eligibility for, or duration of, benefit – and attention focused on the last two. Specific conclusions result in recommendations, which are supported by practical examples contrasting volatile measurement results with those likely from the recommended practices. Theoretical discussion includes health claim variation, health trend usage, financial economics, option pricing, discount rates, and deterministic vs. stochastic modeling.

Description: Health Watch, Issue 79, December 2015, Health Watch

Description: This paper discusses the need for actuarial judgment to be used in conjunction with statistical analysis in the calculation of incurred but not reported IBNR claim reserves.

Description: In an effort to build a bridge between epidemiological and actuarial modeling, this paper analyzes possible financial arrangements made against expenses resulted from medical treatments given to insured patients. Based on classical compartment models, the first part of this paper designs insurance policies for susceptible participants facing the risk of infection and formulates the financial obligations of both parties using actuarial methodology. For practical purposes, the second part employs a variety of numerical methods for calculating premiums and reserves. The last part illustrates the methods by designing insurance products for the Great Plague in Eyam and the SARS Epidemic in Hong Kong.

Description: This article describes a method that can be useful when re-fitting a risk score model to a population of only moderate size. Learn how to use concepts like ridge regression to train a model with partial credibility.

Description: Presented at May 1996 Spring Meeting. Traditional reinsurers have become more conservative in recent years as the individual disability insurance industry continues to report poor financial results. Some reinsurers have exited the marketplace, while some others have raised rates, restricted certain coverages, tightened underwriting, and taken other actions to manage the risks. Thus, alternatives to traditional DI reinsurance are discussed.

Description: Feature article discussing limited benefit health plans as alternative options to address a national crisis—health care for the working uninsured.

Description: This is an article about population risk management and using it to reduce health insurance costs.