Description: Fifty-three percent of Americans responding to a survey conducted by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute reported that extreme weather events – including hurricanes, tornadoes, heatwaves, wildfires and flooding – have adversely affected their health.

Description: In this video Scott Allen, FSA, MAAA discusses the Medicare Advantage Part C bid template. The template helps Medicare Advantage plans estimate costs and premiums, comparing their bids to CMS benchmarks. It’s a complex process involving worksheets that project costs, calculate revenue requirements, and determine rebates, ultimately influencing the plan’s benefits, premiums, and competitiveness in the market. Contributors: Scott Allen, FSA, MAAA, Eric Milner, ASA, MAAA, Danica Turner, FSA, MAAA, Jon Forster ASA, MAAA

Description: Kevin Pierce, FSA MAAA divesinto the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on US drug pricing. He discusses two key provisions: Inflation rebates, where pharmaceutical manufacturers must pay rebates to the government if drug prices rise faster than inflation, and drug price negotiation by Medicare, set to commence in 2026 for selected drugs. Contributors: Kevin Pierce, FSA, MAAA, Deana Bell, FSA, MAAA Mitchell Momanyi, FSA, MAAA, Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

Description: In this video led by Mitchell Momanyi, FSA, MAAA, the types of Medicare products available is discussed. This two major types are traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. It discusses how traditional Medicare encompasses Parts A and B, covering various inpatient and outpatient services but not long-term care or prescription drugs, which fall under Part D. The video details deductibles, cost-sharing structures, and options like Medigap plans that assist with Traditional Medicare’s out-of-pocket expenses. Mitchell emphasizes clarity and understanding while sharing his expertise in this comprehensive overview.

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: Through the sponsorship of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Society of Actuaries partnered with Wakely to use their health care data to study the effects of COVID-19 on overall health care claims for individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis. The conclusion of the study is that individuals with COVID-19 claims had significant increases in health care costs leading up to their months of diagnosis, as well as in the months following their diagnosis. These effects were more pronounced for individuals who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 as well as for individuals with prior co-morbidities. Finally, the overall health care costs of these members plateaued at significantly higher levels than their pre-COVID baselines. In fact, all the main membership cohorts experienced claim levels that were at least 20% higher than their pre-COVID starting points.

Description: On March 6, 2023, The Wall Street Journal hosted its Health Forum, a hybrid all-day event. The virtual meeting featured 11 different events. This white paper focuses on those events. The sessions were informative and fast-paced, with each one providing a quick hit of relevant and cutting-edge information around health care.