Description: Prior to the global pandemic, investment in new health technologies had already reached an all-time high. As the world begins to emerge from COVID-19, what new technologies will next take root in the health care system and how will those affect medical costs? This session will review recent research from the SOA Health Section on how new technologies are spread and adopted. Particular focus will be given to emerging modes of consumer engagement and highly-focused gene and cell therapies that are breaking new ground in combating rare diseases. (We plan on focusing on 2 technologies like Consumerism or Telehealth & Gene & Cell Therapy depending on availability of speakers or if there are other sessions in this virtual meeting covering the same topic)

Description: Actuaries are currently familiar with the impact of new technologies used primarily by clinicians and health care providers, such as new drugs and devices. The common theme emerging from many of the articles points to a technological revolution in health care accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis this year. Actuaries need to understand these technologies, their impact, learn how to drive this technological change and guide the response of their profession and their own health care organizations.

Description: This article discusses the positive aspects of E-prescribing, a transaction in which a physician transmits a prescription directly to a pharmacy through an electronic device. Issue No. 60

Description: Telehealth enables the delivery of health care services to patients that are not in the same location as providers. Over the past decade, telehealth has been used increasingly to complement face-to-face patient encounters, and is particularly important to addressing health care needs in rural areas. Recent regulatory catalysts, particularly in the Medicare Advantage program, have served to elevate the visibility and importance of telehealth in the overall health care delivery system. Starting in 2020, Medicare Advantage plans can offer any clinically appropriate physician services through telehealth as part of the standard Medicare benefit. Network adequacy standards can also be met via telehealth providers under certain programs. This presentation will cover the basics of what constitutes telehealth, and provide tangible demonstrations of telehealth technology (simulating variations mediums through which services are delivered). We will cover the what, the why, and the where (anywhere) of telehealth in 2020.

Description: The heathcare academic literature seems to be saturated with articles on technology. This paper presents summaries of several articles that are intended to be representative, covering a wide range of topics relating to the impact of technology on the healthcare system.