Description: This document is a Request for Proposals (RFP) outlining a proposal request on the impact of the U.S. drug abuse epidemic on mortality, focusing on opioids. It provides details on the background, purpose, research objectives, proposal requirements, selection process, and conditions for submitting a proposal.

Description: Explore the findings from the research paper recently released by Milliman and the SOA, highlighting the growing need for support of informal/family caregivers. We will discuss both quantitative and qualitative data that illustrates not only the cost and burgeoning need, but the mental/emotional stressors that come along with this work.

Description: "Issues surrounding end-of-life and palliative care are not well understood and there is little research in the actuarial literature. From an actuarial perspective, however, end-of-life is important because of the significant cost to the healthcare system. Ian Duncan will discuss some of his research on the financial implications of end-of-life care, as well as the outcomes of a palliative care program. Dr. Matzo is an engaging personality with decades of experience in gerontology and palliative nursing, including training and teaching professionals in the field. Dr. Matzo focuses on educating the public on the importance and benefits of palliative care and hospice (care given in the final six months of life). In this session on “Palliative Care Public Education,” Dr. Matzo will give us an overview of the benefits of palliative care and how this knowledge empowers the individual to make important decisions about their healthcare options. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the role that the actuarial profession may play in this area."

Description: "Weighted compositional data analysis for modeling and forecasting life-table death counts – Han Lin Shang, Ph.D., Professor of Business Analytics and Director of Research at the Department of Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics at Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, Steven Haberman, PhD, Bayes Business School, City University of London, UK Compensation Effect of Mortality as a Challenge to Life Extension – Natalia S. Gavrilova, Ph.D., Leonid A. Gavrilov, Ph.D. Academic Research Centers, NORC at the University of Chicago"

Description: Traditional Medicare [TM] has many coverage gaps and no out-of-pocket maximum. Most members must purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan and a Part D plan for pharmacy coverage. Over 50% of members have opted for a Medicare Advantage [MA] plan that replaces TM and the need to purchase a Supplement and (in most cases) a Part D plan. All this for less cost to the member, but at a greater overall cost to the federal government even though MA plans provide TM benefits for less than it costs the government. The attendee will learn why this occurs. However, given these facts, the focus of the session will be on the future of Medicare: namely, should the parameters regarding MA bids and payments be limited to what is paid for TM, or can we take the best administrative techniques of MA and TM to provide more robust benefits for all Medicare members at a cost no greater than the government is currently paying? Or is there an even better idea?

Description: State Medicaid agencies have been implementing value-based payment (VBP) models for the last decade and are increasingly exploring advanced population-based payment (PBP) models that increase flexibility, predictability, and accountability for participating provider organizations. PBP models show promise in advancing Medicaid priorities, but are still in the early stages of development, and model design and implementation challenges remain. This article from the Center for Health Care Strategies explores the fundamentals of VBP and how PBP - a particular type of payment model - can help Medicaid agencies achieve goals related to care transformation and quality improvement, revenue stability, and controlling cost of care.

Description: General Session

Description: Explore the National Academy of Medicine’s Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity.AARP has been a primary sponsor of the Roadmap. The Roadmap defines Healthy Longevity as when years of good health approach the biological life span, with physical, cognitive, and social functioning that enables well-being and establishes 2050 as the target year to achieve this goal globally. This Roadmap establishes five overarching principles for healthy longevity.

Description: Experts in the field of healthy aging discuss new insights and emerging services and ElderTech, such as wearables and passive monitoring devices and virtual therapies, that can prolong a disability-free lifestyle. What is effective? How do we get people to engage in activities that are good for them in the long run?

Description: Some seniors may find it challenging to manage frequent doctor visits. Telemedicine can significantly fill in some of these gaps by enabling “virtual” doctor visits. Telemedicine improves access to medical care, reduces the need for transportation, reduces wait times, protects the health of individuals who won’t be exposed to germs of others in a waiting room, and improves access to care from a healthcare professional who may be far away from the patient and more. Implications for telemedicine in charged amounts (in various insurances) are being worked out and continue to evolve.