Description: Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs, discusses health care and health policy.

Description: The US healthcare system before and after Obamacare – better or worse and what's next?

Description: The author discusses the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 GINA and its ultimate effect on the long-term care industry in general, and on current and future insureds, specifically.

Description: News release on Health Care Costs Institute and it's mission to promote research on the causes of rising U.S health spending.

Description: This study was sponsored by the Society of Actuaries Health Section. This paper explores the relative significance of aging as a determinant of financial cost of health care beyond age 50, with particular attention to the effect for ages 65 and older. The paper presents concepts of aging factors and aging curves, which define relative values between ages for utilization or cost of health care services. General conclusions are drawn from Medicare data that utilization and cost differ by age, but that aging factors vary across services and may be less significant at very old ages. The author then turns to the question of measuring the significance of an aging curve assumption and what accuracy is lost in the simpler alternative of a single value across an age range.

Description: This project shows how to use agent-based models to simulate the behaviors of agents in complex health systems.

Description: In this video Mitchell Momanyi, FSA MAAA presents an informative breakdown of Medicare Advantage plans, delving into the intricacies of this alternative to traditional Medicare. Covering the inception of Medicare Advantage and its evolution, Momanyi explores the managed care companies offering Part C coverage, emphasizing the role of provider networks coordinated care. Concluding with key considerations for beneficiaries, Momanyi stresses the importance of weighing the pros and cons between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage, while also emphasizing the evolving nature of the Medicare landscape and the regulatory nuances influencing enrollment decisions. Conributors: Mitchell Momanyi, FSA, MAAA, Deana Bell FSA, MAAA, Matt Emery, FSA, CERA, MAAA, Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Description: This SOA report describes the components of margin for calculating capitation rates in a Medicaid context along with practical issues that MCOs may face.

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

Description: Why and how to set up an advance directive, in case a health event renders you unable to make your own medical to decisions.