Description: This paper is being produced in conjunction with eight companion pieces reflecting a variety of stakeholder experiences with the development of the risk pool.

Description: “E-Cigarettes: A Hazard or a Help?” by Sam Gutterman was published online in the North American Actuarial Journal on December 18, 2019, and in print in Volume 24, 2020–Issue 4. This essay is the author’s update to the original paper; it has not been peer-reviewed

Description: A divisive confrontation over health care pricing is almost inevitable over the next few years. What will ultimately happen is a political decision, not an actuarial one—but it will have major consequences for the trend in health care costs and the divergence between public and private insurance premiums.

Description: Data file for Commercial Health Care Cost and Utilization Trends From 2009–2015 research report.

Description: Synopsis of Issue Brief prepared by Tax Work Group of the Academy-LTD Claim Reserve Assumption Basis: Use of date of incurral/date of issue of original policy.

Description: This presentation presents formulas for the first two raw moments and the first joint moment of the aggregate risk process for medical malpractice insurance.

Description: The Society of Actuaries' Pension Section and Health Section Research teams commissioned Professor Thomas E. Getzen of Temple University to construct a resource model for the projection of long term healthcare cost trends. The motivation for creation of the model was driven by its potential usage as a resource for the estimation of reportable liabilities for retiree healthcare benefits as specified under FAS 106 and GASB 45 accounting statements. This model, programmed in Microsoft Excel [xlsx format], projects per-person expenditures and growth rates through 2099 using a set of equations and assumptions developed by Professor Getzen with assistance from the Society of Actuaries Project Oversight Group appointed to oversee the effort. The model includes baseline assumptions as well as flexibility for user–inputted alternative assumptions.

Description: The Health Section chair recaps some of the section’s activities and future projects.

Description: The editor of Health Watch previews the articles in this issue.

Description: Read the October 2019 issue of Health Watch, published by the Health Section. Practical information for actuaries, articles impact sections, section activities. This is the first digital-only issue of the newsletter.