Description: An overview of John Robinson's experience at the recently concluded annual meeting of the Caribbean Actuarial Association in Trinidad.

Description: Valerie Tsang and Jessica Kirkwood are both senior consultants with Ernst & Young LLP (EY UK) and Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) respectively, who also have something else in common—they both have recently moved to a new country and are now immersed in a different market. Here, they discuss the quick-changing landscape of actuarial work and regulations and the importance of being aware of the key issues both in the countries they work in and globally, as well as some of the differences they have seen between the UK and US markets.

Description: The introduction and effective application of US GAAP LDTI have increased the scrutiny of those reviewing the updated financial results. That is because LDTI has resulted in significant changes in actuarial reserving and deferred acquisition cost (DAC) models for long-duration contracts, including significant changes to data, assumptions and required disclosures. In light of the changes, greater reliance has been put on companies’ model risk management (MRM) teams and model validations to assess the conceptual soundness and accuracy of their companies’ actuarial models and to assess that the underlying data and process utilized are suitable and appropriate. This article covers a brief background on model validation, walk through a sample LDTI-focused model validation framework/test plan, then provide insights on common LDTI-related validation observations based on the authors' prior validation experience.

Description: As we entered 2014, actuaries became familiar with three risk stabilizing mechanisms in the early years of the ACA marketplaces, colloquially known as 'the 3Rs'. As we enter 2024, there is renewed focus on rating compliance and risk adjustment. Speakers will highlight pricing considerations when determining cost-sharing reduction premium loads as well as related issues pertaining to risk adjustment and metal tier pricing.

Description: While states face a wide variety of circumstances and have implemented diverse approaches to the MOE phase-out, we revisit the conversation to discuss emerging experience across stakeholders as we examine the operationalization of the PHE unwinding as it relates to this major disruptor in the distribution of the healthcare enrollment.

Description: Come explore an in-depth overview of telehealth to set context and navigate the continuing expansion of telehealth and its integration into the healthcare delivery system. You will examine the forces that shape telehealth offerings and expect a view of the possible futures of this evolving modality.

Description: "Hear an overview of recent results and potential scenarios that may impact the future of the ACA market. Review recent reported industry level profitability before transitioning to a discussion of how current market dynamics may influence the future profitability of this segment. Results from microsimulation economic models will be presented to help illuminate market shifts. Issues that will be explored include how ICRA availability might influence individual decision making, as well as how a move to level funding is impacting the small group market. By attending this session, you will: Understand the recent average and variation of industry performance in the ACA market segment. Describe current policy and market forces that are expected to impact this segment. Explain the range of market scenarios that may result due to these forces."

Description: "Spread pricing is a pricing methodology where pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) bill a payer one price but reimburses the dispensing pharmacy a lower price for the same prescription drug. PBMs have historically relied on spread pricing as a revenue source. However, a growing number of states are introducing and passing legislation prohibiting spread pricing for Medicaid and commercial clients. In addition, new entrants to the PBM and mail-order pharmacy space are disrupting the market by offering services that promote increased transparency and member satisfaction. Expect updates on recent legislative trends and market disruptions targeted towards increasing PBM drug pricing transparency. By attending this session, you will have a better understanding of how changing legislation and market disruptions may impact current pricing methodologies."

Description: "Direct medical costs for cancer care topped $209 billion nationally in 2020, accounting for a significant proportion of all health care expenditures in the U.S. Indirect costs are also significant, encompassing loss of productivity, wages, leisure time and decreased quality of life. The way cancer programs deliver and are reimbursed for care is rapidly changing. As the cost of cancer care continues to rise, several new value-based care programs - both public and private - have attempted to curb these rising costs. Learn about the current landscape of VBC oncology programs, several key challenges and opportunities with oncology analytics, as well as anticipated evolution of cancer care in the near future. Topics include: Current VBC oncology landscape, including a more detailed discussion on CMS' latest oncology program, Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) Discussion on current challenges and opportunities with oncology analytics, including some advanced methodologies that have been developed based on documented clinical pathways to better understand cost drivers Future state of oncology care including emerging pharmaceuticals and novel therapies, personalized care regimens, and other clinical innovations"

Description: "Are you a health actuary affected by recent developments in business practices and accounting standards that have created situations in which you may be involved in estimating balances under accounting rules that differ from those typically used by insurers? In this session you will learn about situations where non-insurance accounting regimes may intersect actuarial practice, with an intended focus on two particular topics. One topic is general accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for insurance brokers under ASC 606 (Revenue Recognition) for commissions on Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement contracts, where the broker may get to recognize the expected value of all future commissions on a contract as revenue when the contract is placed. The other topic is GAAP under ASC 460 (Guarantees) in situations where a non-provider entity is bearing risk related to health care services, which can occur under the CMS Direct Contracting/ACO REACH model or under private sector care coordination contracts."