Description: This article discusses of the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program. Specifically addressed were the flexible features, the political environment and changes being considered.

Description: Joe Wurzburger, Staff Fellow at the SOA, shares his views and insights about the health care industry in general and the Health Section's role in particular.

Description: Feature article discussing New York’s answer to publicly-financed health insurance needs.

Description: On average, contracts receiving their first star rating receive 3.20 stars, compared to existing or established contracts receiving 3.90 stars on average. This 0.70 disparity in quality ratings creates significant hardship on new contracts when this lower star rating decreases their payments in the following calendar year. This article explores the disparity in Medicare Advantage Star Ratings between contracts receiving their first star ratings (“New” contracts) and existing contracts, including: 1. Understanding what happens to Medicare Advantage Payments when contracts receive lower star ratings? – What is the Star Rating cliff and why does it matter to new contracts? 2. Explaining when a contract receives their first star rating and how much enrollment this requires – When does the Star Rating cliff occur? 3. Noting which specific star measures “New” contracts struggle with, including those contracts under large parent organizations, contracts with rapid growth, and all other new contracts. – How can my contract avoid the Star Rating cliff?

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 2000 Las Vegas Spring Meeting discuss Congressional proposals for changing Medicare and the Academy's Medicare Reform Task Force report with respect to financial soundness, competition and potential prescription drug benefits.

Description: This panel discussion, which occurred at the October 1982 Society of Actuaries Annual Meeting in Washington D.C., presented information on federal issues that impact health insurance. Topics discussed included: -The Federal Government's role in health care financing - Prospective reimbursement of hospitals - Tax treatment of individuals medical expenses - Primacy of group health insurance for workers over 65 - Budgetary pressure on Medicare/Medicaid - Whatever became of National Health Insurance [NHI]? From Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 8, No. 4.

Description: This article discusses health care reform in Kentucky. In 1994, Kentucky implemented health care reform measures inspired by the unsuccessful attempt at national health care reform in the Health Security Act of 1993. The measures adopted in Kentucky are described by the author as 'a textbook case of how not to engage in health care reform.' From: The Actuary, April 2000 – volume 34 - Issue 4.

Description: This session is about the practical and theoretical considerations in all-lines insurance operations, solvency of all-lines companies, and financial implications of all-lines operations, including investment of assets and Federal Income Tax.

Description: Insurance commissioners and/or deputy commissioners will discuss a variety of current topics including health care reform, risks in the major medical markets, voluntary products and other topics. At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to identify issues that are on the mind of the regulatory agencies and the different approaches used across the country.