Description: Presented at April 1986 Spring Meeting. This session discusses how employers are trying to limit their risks under medical care plans and the implications of such strategies for carriers. This session considered the differences in the economic and random fluctuation risks, and the effectiveness of programs in controlling each.

Description: Presentation at October 1985 Annual Meeting. This session will discuss trends in medical technology as they affect health care benefits programs, including: life extension, organ transplants, high-cost procedures, and plan design.

Description: The medical scheme approach adopted by several African countries has failed to meet the needs of those in informal employment and rural communities. This is partly due to affordability amongst these individuals as well as a lack of awareness of how healthcare financing products work. Community based healthcare organisations have achieved greater levels of success in this regard by carefully incorporating the peculiarities of communities in benefit design and involving community members in the management of these healthcare solutions. There are lessons to be garnered from the countries where these have been implemented with some level of success. Even as countries aim towards universal health coverage, observing the unique needs of different communities within a country is essential to ensure resources are utilised efficiently and that healthcare needs are targeted effectively.

Description: Presented at April 1985 Spring Meeting. This session discussed: Products - design, policy provisions, impact from changes in the health care system, Marketing - traditional and alternative distribution systems and concept of product brokerage, and Administration - cost effectiveness, group trust mechanisms, use of technology, regulatory environment.

Description: This panel discussion, which occurred at the April 1982 SOA meeting in Orlando, presented information related to developments in medical benefit plan design which will help control costs. The panel discussed: What has already been tried?, What works?, and, What else can be tried?. From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 8, No. 2.

Description: Presented at April 1986 Spring Meeting. Addresses costs, cost measurement and control, how target cost levels are established, and the cost/benefit perceptions of employers.

Description: A discussion of funding arrangements that can reduce the costs of providing medical coverage through lower reserves or state tax savings, instead of through cutting benefits.

Description: The Brazilian private health care market ended 2010 with US $48 billion worth of premium. This already makes it Latin America’s largest health care market and sixth in the world ranking. This article provides information on the market and opportunity for growth.

Description: Presenters discuss the differences between patient treatment protocols and length-of-stay guidelines, and some of the issues that payers confronted as the protocols were implemented. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 24, No. 2.

Description: Discussion of anticipated marketing and pricing considerations of Group Insurance in the 1980's including: a. Regulatory environment including National Health Insurance b. Economic and growth potential c. Competition including Health Maintenance Organizations d. Technology e. Evolving role of employee benefits f. Products g. Pricing considerations h. Marketing approaches Also, discussion of the 1960's and the 1970's a. Major influences b. Benefit changes c. Alternate funding approaches 2. The 1980's environment a.