Description: A new health insurance pricing model takes external market prices into account, as well as regulatory rate restrictions and other traditional pricing factors. Rather than being assumed at the outset, lapse rates emerge from the model, along with assessment spiral & loss ratio projections. Under the model optimal pricing strategy depends on whether the class being rated has a healthier than average mix of risks.

Description: Updates on the efforts of the Academy’s health practice council. its work groups and task forces, to educate health care policymakers on issues including health care reform, Medicare, loss ratios, premium review, reinsurance, benefit and eligibility changes, exchanges, and risk based capital.

Description: This article briefly describes the pandemic-related initiatives the SOA undertook in 2006. From Health Watch Newsletter, May 2006, Issue No. 52.

Description: This article discusses the challenges and unknowns relating to the regulatory inclusion of pediatric dental benefits within the essential benefits list of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Description: October 2012 issue of Health Watch newsletter

Description: Summary and analysis of the diseases and conditions exhibited in the Medicare Advantage population

Description: In the last research column, the Research Expanding Boundaries Pool (REX Pool) was discussed, and it was noted that it is now open for business. Since that time, applications from the first round of the pool have been reviewed. In total, the Research Executive Committee (REC) received 17 applications for funding, totaling over $900,000. After much deliberation, the REC allocated its 2012 REX Pool budget of $400,000 to seven diverse ideas that will become new SOA-sponsored (or cosponsored) research projects.

Description: Article is a detailed discussion of the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (RMORSA) Model Act that was recently approved by the NAIC and is being adopted by legislatures across the country.

Description: This article provides a detailed description of the unbalanced subsidy provisions in the Affordable Care Act with easy to follow numerical illustrations. An understanding of the illustrative calculations is necessary to understand the subsidy implications. The article highlights some surprising and likely unintended results that will be interest to issuers, employers, consumers, regulators and policymakers. Actuaries can add expertise to their clients and to the public discussion with a proper understanding of the subsidy calculations and the resulting implications.

Description: Discussion of the impact of the ACA on RBS and required surplus for a health plan