Description: Blockchain technology has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life and overall health of the members of a health system, while also adding to administrative efficiencies. For the first time, we will have access to members’ entire diagnoses and prescription history, consumer behavioral attributes, and other socio-economic determinants which that are valuable inputs to designing appropriate benefits and proper care management plans. Through the blockchain, we will be able to access data not just of the existing members of the health system but also of potential enrollees and new entrants. The data can be accessed by querying the blockchain through a permissioned granted by the member. This information can be very useful in performing feasibility studies for evaluating entry into newer markets and/or newer products, developing customized care plans, and designing efficient value-based contracts. By executing smart contracts on the blockchain, we will be able to achieve administrative efficiencies like never before. The applications of blockchain technology are numerous and ground-breaking. Organizations that do not pay heed to the benefits that blockchain can bring may find themselves left behind as the rest of the industry marches forward in its quest for efficiency and member satisfaction.

Description: MACRA not only impact providers, it will impact the entire healthcare market. MACRA published studies and commentary to date have primarily focused on providers, with the majority of the information addressing the impacts to clinicians. However, our investigation indicates MACRA has far reaching impacts to payers as well as providers. MACRA is impacting each geographic market and line of business in a unique way, and health payers will have multiple strategic decisions to consider given the changing market dynamics.

Description: Joe Wurzburger, Staff Fellow at the SOA, shares his views and insights about the health care industry in general and the Health Section's role in particular.

Description: Summary of lessons learned from Health Insurer Chief Actuaries' prior economic recession experience and suggestions for those leading Health insurers through future recessions

Description: Discusses challenges faced by the people living in the remote town of Brewster, Nebraska.

Description: Describes benefits of updating homes for aging in place. Calls for stakeholders coalition of: building & tech sectors, LTCI, homecare, health insurance & care.

Description: This article describes various insurance products now offered to SOA members as an affinity group.

Description: Building on our previous newsletter article (“Who Sells and Distributes”), we continue here in our attempt to define and clarify sales and distribution terms that may be confusing or misunderstood. In this article, we focus on seller and distributor compensation, which includes payments to customer-facing sales experts and separate allowances for the entities supporting those experts

Description: This article discusses the growing number of cases of dementia and its effects on economics and loved ones.

Description: Critical Illness (CI) insurance in Asia has evolved through data-driven insights, adapting to changing medical, demographic, and lifestyle trends. Gen Re’s CI Data Insights Study, covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, highlights how advances in screening, especially for cancers, have influenced incidence rates and claims. Regular updates to CI definitions and product structures are essential for sustainability, as seen in the handling of thyroid and prostate cancers. Lifestyle factors like BMI also impact cardiovascular risk. A multi-dimensional approach combining robust data monitoring, proactive product updates, and wellness promotion ensures CI insurance remains relevant and sustainable.