Description: A glossary of terms.

Description: The objective of this project is to summarize the existing literature on end of life issues of interest to actuaries, and to document a broad list of such articles. The end of life issues explored are multi-dimensional and from multiple perspectives. When considering cost implications of end of life care, it is necessary to consider cost in a broad context as it is a measure that cannot solely be defined by dollars. Other dimensions of cost, such as quality of care, family care giving, communication, patient preferences and access to care, should also be explored.

Description: An essay suggesting one solution in theory would be to create a system similar to Medicare Advantage for the entire American population.

Description: Rising drug—and, to a lesser extent, health care—costs in Canada are creating long-term challenges for not only governments and employers across Canada but for individuals as well, with no easy answers.

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: Employer and payers need to actively seek change in the system of mental health care deliveryoperational, clinical, and financial change. From Financing Chronic Care Monograph, M-HB05-1.

Description: Essay where payers desiring to optimize health gains per dollar spent should avoid “across the board” cost sharing, and instead implement a “value based” design that removes barriers/provides incentives to encourage desired behaviors for patients and providers.

Description: A report analyzing the cost of care for deceased cancer patients over the last six months of life.

Description: Health Care Cost Trends 2002 - prescription drug, base and leveraged trend. From Health Section News, January 2002, Issue No. 42.

Description: Because of the expected dramatic rise in chronic disease prevalence due to aging and obesity, and increased cost per case due to new technology and drugs, there has been intense focus on managing the cost of treating chronic diseases. From Financing Chronic Care Monograph, M-HB05-1.