Description: A discussion of permissible use and collection of genetic information for Health Risk Assessments and wellness programs under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.

Description: Read the November 2016 issue of Health Watch published by the Health Section. Newsletters provide practical information for the working actuary, articles on trends that impact sections and news about section activities.

Description: A call for essays issued by the SOA Health and Long Term Care Sections on the visions for the future of the U.S. health care system.

Description: A preview of the latest issue, with articles covering reverse mortgages, the challenges of long-term care policy in France, and the impact of obesity and diabetes on LTC disability and mortality.

Description: "The always popular Medicaid Hot Topics session is back with discussions from an expert panelist on the most riveting Medicaid topics of the year. These could include the following: • ACA court battles - what are the potential impacts on Medicaid? • CMS continues to open the door for state flexibility - just what can states now do differently?• Where are we on Medicaid work requirements? • How will the changes to the mega-rule impact Medicaid?• High cost drugs and how states are sharing risk for them (carve-out, risk pools, risk sharing)• And more current topics of interest to Medicaid actuaries!Medicaid is dynamic and it is difficult to stay up to date on all of the changes. This session provides insightful discussion into the major changes that impact actuaries and their companies or state clients"

Description: The SOA’s research objective is to provide guidance to state exchange officials and administrators, federal officials and administrators, and actuaries assisting states and health plans. The goal of the project is to estimate the morbidity and/or cost for newly insured individuals in the individual market (and to some degree, the small group exchange) relative to the morbidity and/or cost for the current commercially insured population. This analysis will primarily focus on the individual, non-group market. In order to plan for the impact that these currently uninsured individuals will have on the health insurance markets, it will be important to understand their costs relative to the costs for people already enrolled, for whom many health insurers have experience and data.

Description: Provides an overview of the Academy Health organization, its annual research meeting, and the SOA participation at that meeting.

Description: Brief description of articles contained in the newsletter.

Description: An overview of the issues behind reimbursing providers on a bundled or packaged basis. The article presents the potential advantages offered by the proponents as well as the criticisms and obstacles to implementing this type of payment system.

Description: PBMs are positioned in the healthcare delivery system as the only entity that is not regulated for profitability. The Commercial Fully Insured Health Insurance Plans are heavily regulated by the State Insurance Commissioner who allows only 2%-3% profit margin. The self-funded Health Plans are regulated by ERISA fiduciary responsibility that prohibits excessive compensation. PBMs are classed as a service provider and are not regulated by either. This allows PBMs to implement large, unreasonable mark ups for profit. PBMs are massive commercial entities, states are trying to sue under antitrust law. PBMs found a sweet spot in the regulation. Large Insurance Carries understood that and either acquired large PBMs or merged with them. It is likely that a combination of measures will be needed to regulate PBMs. The most direct approach would be for Congress to pass a law establishing PBM as a fiduciary under ERISA just like an “investment advisor” providing advice for a fee. Establishing PBM as a fiduciary will help Courts and other Federal Agencies ensure that PBMs do not unfairly retain rebates and inflate the prices of Rx drugs sold to employer health plans, and the US population in general.