Description: This article presents an introduction and overview of the R language. From Expanding Horizons, April 2007.

Description: This article is an announcement for nominations for the 2007 Halmstad Prize. A description of the prize is given. From Expanding Horizons, April 2007.

Description: A solicitation for letters to the editor of Expanding Horizons.

Description: Actuaries historically modeled new launches in pharmaceuticals by anticipating the expected change to the market basket. This became more complicated with the recent launches of gene and cell therapies as they address rare diseases. Rare conditions have low total member volume to study and some do not currently have a diagnosis code to identify them within claims data. Addressing this modeling challenge has been growing more important in the recent years with the number of therapies launching. What has the health care industry, and more specifically health care, done to enhance modeling and how should this be altered for the future? Additionally, historic modeling has sometimes incorporated a level of direct medical treatment cost offsets where studies have shown lower treatment costs are achievable. Can gene and cell financial modeling include cost offsets as well? And if so, what are suggested precautions or limitations to this effort?

Description: "Given the typical career trajectory of an actuary starts with increasing technical skill, we often overlook developing our communication skills, much to the determent of our overall career growth and business effectiveness. The only way that our work turns into business action is through communication, and business action is the sole purpose of our analyses. Come explore several ways to communicate more effectively by developing an understanding of our audience and what their “win” is, focusing on developing impactful messaging and outlining clear action, and how networking, especially broadly across the organization, can help us communicate more effectively. After this session you will be able to: Understand your audience and tailor your communication appropriately Develop clear messaging and explanations and deliver next steps Understanding how broadening your network can help you communicate more effectively"

Description: Enjoy an in-depth walkthrough of the facets of the lab testing world in this webcast. The agenda will include a discussion on genetic testing, which focuses on its general background, current trends and tests in the pipeline, as well as a focus on the approaches to achieve savings in lab testing. Finally, expect to check out sample actuarial analyses that will be used to identify areas of focus in lab management. Join us and take a deeper look into lab work in the actuarial health industry.

Description: Renal disease is a very heterogenous medical condition whose end state is dialysis, a recurring cost intensive medical condition. Dialysis cost is one of the major medical cost drivers in USA. Insufficient and improper care management in the early stages of CKD (chronic kidney disease) leads to early incidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD) among CKD patients which not only leads to high medical costs, but also reflects poor health quality.

Description: Learn through examples how actuaries working in traditional and nontraditional actuarial roles should apply ASOPs when navigating through situational challenges when collaborating with other professionals. Examples of these professionals include regulators, accounting, management, marketing, underwriting as well as when providing advisory services to external clients.

Description: Discover a comparison of U.S. and international mandated leave programs which mandate employers to provide a minimum level of benefits to employees for qualifying leaves of absence, such as parental leave or medical leave.

Description: Join us for this webcast that focuses on case studies covering the ethical challenges and dilemmas that pension actuaries are currently facing. Participate in an interactive opportunity for audience members, as interaction is highly encouraged.