Description: This article summarizes a joint SOA/Kaiser Family Foundation initiative focused on addressing the rising cost of health care in the United States.

Description: Gostin argues that there is indeed a crisis in American health care.

Description: The article describes the Health Sections strategic initiative for Public Health and the role of the actuary.

Description: This article provides an overview of behavioral economic theory as it relates to health and welfare insurance plans and provides summaries of two sample applications of the theories: enrollment in health insurance exchanges created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and product design considerations in light of vast health illiteracy.

Description: Discussion of steps that can be taken to control costs and future plan design changes. Part 2 of a 2 part series. Issue No. 48.

Description: Social determinants of health (SDoH) have been a topic of growing interest in recent years, yet consensus about what the phrase represents and how health-related social needs should be studied or addressed by employers, health plans, providers and other stakeholders in the business of health care have been lacking. For many, low-income populations come to mind when considering the topic, yet SDoH include a wide range of factors beyond income. Many types of data are available, yet each presents distinct challenges and opportunities for analysis. In this article, we describe some of the underlying context for considering SDoH, as well as some of the potential data sources to consult and challenges to grapple with on this important topic.

Description: Savings from biosimilars have accelerated significantly in the past few years. There has been a number of relatively recent biosimilar launches that can help to shape our expectations of the financial impact that could result from this year’s big event. Savings from biosimilars have accelerated significantly in the past few years. There has been a number of relatively recent biosimilar launches that can help to shape our expectations of the financial impact that could result from this year’s big event.

Description: Evaluating the success of Disease Management Programs by looking at ROI and the risk management economic model. Issue No. 46.

Description: Discussion on Ebola, how it spreads and whether or not it is an epidemic or pandemic.

Description: This article explores telemedicine's impact on the health care system, health care costs, and actuarial pricing.