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: Interviews with several actuaries who are subject matter experts in the health field to get their perspectives on implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Description: Cancer Insurance is among the latest products singled out for assault. Consumer advocates, Congressional committees, federal agencies and State insurance departments all have had their well-publicized say. Some of the last-named have wielded the executioner’s axe, prohibiting its issue. This article reviews the arguments against cancer insurance and rebuts them.

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 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: Feature article discussing the growing opportunities for actuaries in the health wellness arena.

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: This article highlights what makes disabled people return to work and gives examples of how flexible claims services can operate in a cost efficient manner.

Description: In this article, the author, reflecting upon his own experiences, discusses why meaningful individual health insurance, unlike other lines of individual coverage, is generally not offered by insurers to individuals with long-term needs.