Description: Small companies face numerous challenges and opportunities when developing supplemental health insurance products. This is particularly true because of the competitive nature of these products and the innovations happening in the supplemental health market. This article explores the challenges regarding rating, the volatile regulatory environment, product flexibility, and distribution. In addition, the article identifies competitive advantages that small companies may have in the supplemental health market.

Description: This article discusses the expansion of benefits supporting long-term care services in Medicare Advantage plans

Description: This is the complete January 2012 issue of Health Watch.

Description: Overview of a new research project undertaken by SIPF on the topic of OPEB funding in the US.

Description: A discussion of the issues to be considered for computing tax reserves relating to guaranteed renewable and noncancellable health insurance and how these concerns are sometimes overlooked.

Description: Telehealth benefits, obstacles, and delivery systems

Description: Letters to the editor about the feature article “The Dementia Epidemic: Are We Ready?” that ran in the December 2010/January 2011 issue of The Actuary.

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

Description: This article provides an overview of behavioral economic theory as it relates to health and welfare insurance plans and provides summaries of two sample applications of the theories: enrollment in health insurance exchanges created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and product design considerations in light of vast health illiteracy.

Description: The article offers a discussion about future products, distribution, insurance laws, and contracts. Some ideas might not be possible today, but it is offered as food for thought.