Description: This discussion at the SOA 1967 Annual Meeting covers three topics. First is the Carter Commission Report that recommends radical changes to the Canadian tax system. Second is a report on U.S. federal government activities in the health market. Third is an update on variable annuities.

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: Comparison of domestic and international PFML programs

Description: "Spread pricing is a pricing methodology where pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) bill a payer one price but reimburses the dispensing pharmacy a lower price for the same prescription drug. PBMs have historically relied on spread pricing as a revenue source. However, a growing number of states are introducing and passing legislation prohibiting spread pricing for Medicaid and commercial clients. In addition, new entrants to the PBM and mail-order pharmacy space are disrupting the market by offering services that promote increased transparency and member satisfaction. Expect updates on recent legislative trends and market disruptions targeted towards increasing PBM drug pricing transparency. By attending this session, you will have a better understanding of how changing legislation and market disruptions may impact current pricing methodologies."

Description: Since the Affordable Care Act implemented minimum loss ratio provisions for health plans, several states have passed or at least considered minimum loss ratio regulation for dental plans. While such regulations are intended to improve insurer efficiency and promote value to consumers, they can have unintended negative consequences if the unique characteristics of the dental insurance market are not considered. Learn about this hot topic, including loss ratio basics, recent legislative activity in the dental loss ratio space, how dental differs from medical, and why those differences are critical to account for when trying to regulate loss ratios in that market.

Description: This session will be centered around the roles and responsibilities of a valuation actuary. Learn the best practices of health actuaries, along with technical considerations and professionalism issues surrounding the calculation and reporting of health liabilities and reserves. This session will focus on key actuarial liability and reserve provisions, including Claims Unpaid and Premium Deficiency Reserves. In this session, explore new ideas about calculation methods and the importance of the underlying assumptions. You will also learn best practices and practical applications concerning reserve calculation discuss best practices regarding the preparation of an actuarial memorandum supporting a Health Annual Statement. This will include key considerations from the American Academy of Actuaries' Practice Note about documenting and supporting the actuarial calculations. The discussion will also present views and considerations from both the insurer's and the regulator's perspectives.

Description: Join us for a discussion of the supplemental health landscape for accident, critical illness, STD, and hospital indemnity products. This session will include both the pricing actuary and the regulator perspectives on new approaches, trends, renewal rate strategies, the competitive market, state-specific requirements, and more!!Attendees will learn about changes in the market that will help them price products, evaluate new approaches used in the voluntary market, and identify the issues that will make their products successful.

Description: Gene therapy is a quickly evolving field and will continue to grow as a risk concern for many health plans, stop loss insurers and reinsurers. Currently, there are only two approved gene therapies in the U.S., but that number is expected to escalate starting in the fall of 2022. Revisit the experience plans have had with the first two gene therapies, discuss plan design and network considerations in light of gene therapy, and discuss the actual composition of the near-term pipeline along with a range of modeled financial impacts and considerations for payers.

Description: The American Academy of Actuaries Health Solvency Subcommittee and the NAIC Health Risk-Based Capital (E) Working Group are in the process of analyzing and reviewing the H2-Underwriting Risk component and the managed care credit calculation in the health risk-based capital (HRBC) formula. Come learn what changes are ahead! While RBC is designed for solvency issues, also come hear about other ways health insurers manage their capital and surplus levels. Are others doing something you should try?

Description: "Advancing health equity is one of the five strategic objectives outlined in the CMS Innovation Center's strategic objectives for the next ten years and is an increasing area of focus across many states. Focus in on recent developments in addressing Medicaid beneficiary needs related to social determinants of health (SDOH), health-related social needs (HRSN), and health disparities and inequities in Medicaid. Several states have introduced non-traditional benefits into their programs in recent years to address these areas, such as various types of housing supports, nutrition-related benefits, and enhanced/advanced case management support. Expect a discussion on the benefits introduced recently in states such as AZ, CA, MA, NC, and OR, including funding considerations around these benefits as well as the 1115 demonstration waiver authorities granted to these states to allow coverage for these non-traditional health care services.