Description: Full version of Health Section News, Issue No. 48, October 2004.

Description: CDHP reserve levels claim, policy and premium reserves. New reserve technique for ASO plan sponsor reserves. Issue No. 48.

Description: Who Is to Blame for Cost Increases? by Dinkar Koppikar from Health Section News, October 2004, Issue No. 48.

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

Description: Former co-editor looks back on his work, offering thanks and vote of confidence in his successor.

Description: A review of the 2009 Health Spring Meeting, which included speakers & sessions on the future of the SOA, U.S. health care reform, claims data issues & improvements, predictive modeling, underwriting principles, employer stoploss, cost trends, LTD & disability, and mental health parity regulations.

Description: In this article, the authors explore how the recession has impacted new member enrollment in the various state health care programs and the resulting impact on trend.

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: 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.