Description: This article reviews the results of the first SOA study of large medical claims, defined as claims greater than $25,000.

Description: Summary of the National Conference on Medical Costs, held in Washington, D.C. on June 28-29, 1967.

Description: Outlines a generic business model for a life insurance company and concludes with thoughts on future trends and prospects.

Description: This article summarizes the work of two work groups of the American Academy of Actuaries, one focused on Medical Savings Accounts and one focused on proposed changes to Medicare.

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: This article discusses the problems in estimating the prevalence of HIV infection.

Description: There are growing concerns that the Asian bird flu virus will evolve into a form that can be transmitted from human to human, thus unleashing a new global flu pandemic. This article uses the Spanish flu epidemic and the German life insurance portfolio to analyze the additional claims expenditure due to a pandemic.

Description: The Actuary Vol. 22, No. 6. The author provides commentary regarding an interview with Paul Barnhart reported on in The Actuary March 1988 concerning the controversy over health insurance reserves. Specifically the elements of the “Benefit Ratio Reserve” method were analyzed.

Description: This is an article that highlights recommended reading by the Health Practice area communications committee. The readings cover a broad subject matter from risk assessment, medical technology to uninsured.

Description: In 1983, a poultry virus hit the jackpot in Pennsylvania. While making a copy of its genetic material, the virus made a tiny error. Because of that error, it began producing a slightly altered protein which allowed the normally benign organism to spread beyond its usual residence in chicken lungs and intestines. Soon it was burrowing into other parts of the birds’ bodies - including the nervous system, where it multiplied rapidly and began to cause disease. Could something like this happen to humans?