Description: When setting reserves, multiple methods are often used in the creation of the reserve estimate. Judgment is warranted to combine these different estimates into a final recommendation. This paper describes two techniques that can be used to combine these estimates that may result in better accuracy and lower variance.

Description: The process of setting initial and renewal premium rates for small group medical block of business using risk characteristics. Presents three pricing schemes and compares profitability Following the Curve, Lowest Best Rate and Highest Worst Rate.

Description: A discussion of an alternative valuation methodology which addresses many of the shortcomings of the current valuation system for U.S. life and health insurers one of which is the proliferation of undesirable variations in state requirements. Issue No. 37

Description: Many executives are talking about predictive analytics uses in health insurance.

Description: Health Watch, Issue 79, December 2015, Health Watch

Description: Exploration of sources of volatility in retiree health valuations, noting how volatility arises and might be mitigated, with discussion of valuation parameters more problematic for retiree health benefits than for pensions. Three significant influences on retiree health valuation volatility are covered-- changes in benefit level, fluctuations in cost level, and alterations in eligibility for, or duration of, benefit – and attention focused on the last two. Specific conclusions result in recommendations, which are supported by practical examples contrasting volatile measurement results with those likely from the recommended practices. Theoretical discussion includes health claim variation, health trend usage, financial economics, option pricing, discount rates, and deterministic vs. stochastic modeling.

Description: This article describes a method that can be useful when re-fitting a risk score model to a population of only moderate size. Learn how to use concepts like ridge regression to train a model with partial credibility.

Description: Pricing small group medical coverage under reform laws using debit manual and risk factors. Issue No. 45.

Description: This article examines two general approaches to pricing The Forecast Approach and the Rebuilding Approach. The author then supplies the reader with the best approach. From Health Watch Newsletter, March 2005, Issue No. 49.