Description: Medicare Advantage plans have been in the market for two decades. In this session, we survey the landscape changes from 2006 up to now, which include but not limited to the changes of enrollment, plan types, big players' market share, policies, and how players as well as beneficiaries react to the changes. This session intends to provide general MA knowledge and history to the audience with or without Medicare Advantage background.

Description: Anti-obesity medications have been met with reluctance from payers and employee benefits consultants who often lack analogs or empirical data to estimate the cost impact of new therapies coverage. Health plans considering coverage of anti-obesity medications will need to assess and manage the potential costs of covering these new therapies in context of their overall obesity management strategy, including coverage of nutrition counseling, weight management, and bariatric surgery.

Description: This session will bring together public health care leaders in COVID-10 vaccine delivery from both the U.S. and the UK to discuss and compare operational implications of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in their countries, and how those programs ultimately affected hospitalization utilization and mortality rates for members of their communities.

Description: CMS has required hospitals to publish their chargemaster rates, cash discounts and negotiated rates as of January 1, 2021. Our panel is comprised of a data strategist, an executive from a large hospital system and an actuary.

Description: Virtual - Session 2D: Navigating Risk Management in Gender - Affirming Care

Description: Behavioral health is a leading concern for employers and employees, especially with increased needs and awareness in recent years. Expect to dive into the following questions: - How are disability carriers refining their offerings and approaches to meet this need for their clients? - How are carriers thinking about the psychosocial determinants of claim experience? - Where may there be linkages between mental health and physical disabilities? - How might new digital innovations in behavioral health care impact claims experience for disability insurance? - How can actuaries make a societal impact in helping to bring solutions to the mental health crisis? Join us for a panel discussion with group benefits carriers and industry experts to explore these and other questions on this important topic. You'll gain knowledge on the intersection of behavioral health and disability insurance and learn how carriers are exploring new approaches to improve outcomes for employers and employees.

Description: With the mandated health plan transparency files, health plans and providers are now able to substantially enhance their provider contracting efforts. Although the files are large and cumbersome they are market disruptors and provide new insights for provider contracting efforts. Explore a demonstration on the type of information now available and how it can be used to enhance this from both a health plan and health care provider perspective.

Description: Focus on how innovative health care organizations develop their value proposition for their intended buyers. Presenters will share information about their specific solution and the methods used to derive credible savings estimates, ROI, and performance guarantees. Learn about data utilized, the methods deployed, advantages, disadvantages, and buyers' reaction. This session is expected to be technical, highly informative, and interactive with audience members.

Description: Get highlights from recently published and upcoming research from the SOA Research Institute, including work on specialty pharmacy and the long-term impacts of COVID-19. Presenters will focus on the financial impacts of these issues as well as trends and other actuarial considerations.

Description: Join us as we explore Medigap claims assumptions and more. What has been driving cost increases? Does the trend vary by market? How are area factors determined? What opportunities exist for niche carriers? This session will provide a fresh experience-based perspective on key pricing considerations and leave you with food for thought as you manage your business.