Description: Hear from Kevin Pierce, FSA MAAA on the key components on the Inflation Reduction Act as it relates to Medicare Part D. Kevin is a Senior Consulting Actuary at Milliman and a top industry speaker on this subject. Kevin has extensive industry experience in actuarial, finance, and strategic projects, providing market intelligence and strategy support for clients across the health care industry. He outlines key provisions of the act, such as a complete redesign of the benefit, inflation rebate payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers,, and Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices. Kevin touches on the changes in costs and complexities for beneficiaries, pharmaceutical manufacturers, the federal government, and health insurers. Contributors: Kevin Pierce, FSA MAAA, Mitchell Momanyi, FSA, MAAA, Deana Bell, FSA, MAAA, Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Description: Actuarial science curricula at universities tend to focus on preparing students for academic and professional exams. In this article, I will share the value of student professional development and how it complements the technical skills taught in the classroom, using Temple University as an illustrative case study.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Research Institute’s Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program is pleased to release a collection of essays addressing the impact of inflation on retirement and retirement-related issues.

Description: The SOA Research Institute seeks researchers and essayists to explore the multifaceted impacts of climate risk on retirement. The desired deliverable is a resource that catalogues major related issues while providing current considerations and potential future dynamics. The intended audience for this effort is actuaries and other retirement professionals.

Description: What are Biosimilar drugs? Are they the same as generic drugs? What potential impact might Biosimilars have in the United States prescription drug landscape and it’s economics? This article explores those questions as well as exclusivity and interchangeability.

Description: In a recent study, nearly all family caregivers (80%) said they “always” or “often” provide emotional support. What if robots could cut that statistic in half? What would that mean to caregivers who have families of their own? This article is my first-hand experience with a companion robot that provides a tremendous amount of emotional support and meaningful activities. Together, they are designed to engage an older adult significantly which can lighten the caregiving burden on other family members.

Description: This report provides actuaries and other finance professionals with an example of running the Medicaid Unwinding model with results at the national level on projected changes in both acuity and enrollment for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Description: Discussion of recent developments in the taxation of noncoordinated benefits such as fixed indemnity, hospital indemnity, and specified disease insurance policies. Developments include a recent Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum and proposed triagency rulemaking that would impact non coordinated benefits.

Description: The paper describes a cost-benefit analysis to determine the value of electronic health records (EHRs) in life insurance accelerated underwriting programs. Sample cases from a carrier were underwritten pre-EHR and post-EHR and the mortality savings estimates from risk class changes using EHRs was compared to procurement costs. Results were developed to cover a range of scenarios. Factors to consider for carriers evaluating the cost-effectiveness of using EHRs in their own accelerated underwriting programs are also described.

Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute will host a virtual Open House about the Institute’s Health Care Cost Trends Strategic Research Program. We welcome academics, volunteers, and other professionals to join us and learn more about this program and its related activities. There will be a brief presentation with plenty of time for conversation and questions. And, of course, this is a great opportunity for you to share ideas and thoughts for future research efforts in this area!