Description: During the past few years, performance, cost, and risk trends for Medigap products have undergone substantial changes. Some of these trends could ease cost pressures on Medigap insurers, while others might increase them. Part 1 of this Issue Brief article discusses current changing trends and considerations around about how they are impacting Medigap.

Description: Article examines a proposed amendment to the MAP-21 Act that would have changed a number of tax requirements regarding so-called life settlements.

Description: This section contains book reviews on profit sharing, life insurance, genetic risks and a select current bibliography. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1974, Vol. 26, Pt. 1, No. 75 AB.

Description: The diary of Dirk Nieder, an actuary who traveled in Asia amid the COVID-19 pandemic, tying in what he saw in asia countries and developments from the west.

Description: A discussion about regulators, lawmakers, actuaries and insurers working together to keep health insurance costs affordable to the consumer but also profitable enough for insurers to continue to offer the product.

Description: Adding value in the development, production and marketing process of medical devises regulatory environment, designer/manufacturer perspective, product failure and litigation risk. Issue No. 44.

Description: The coming wave of biosimilars could have a major impact on prescription drug spend in coming years. The big event of Humira biosimilar launches in 2023 will be significant in determining that ultimate impact. Payers are making coverage decisions. The more biosimilars are utilized, the greater the potential savings. How will biosimilar adoption be maximized?

Description: Chris Smith, vice chair of the Actuary of the Future section, had the privilege of attending the SOA Health meeting in Seattle for the first time this year. Read about his experience and thoughts on why you should plan to attend an SOA-sponsored conference for your career growth.

Description: This article highlights a trend among companies to integrate the management of the various medical programs including health, workers compensation and disability. This concept of total health management allows greater focus on the health and wellness of employees resulting in improved productivity.

Description: Managed care networks are important to control rising health care costs . these need to be priced appropriately to produce the right results for all stakeholders . This includes analysis of utilization and costs for both in and out of network claims . A variety of risk and administrative service options exist for entities assuming such risk .