The Risk-Sharing Work Group submitted a letter to the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) with comments on a proposed rule related to exchanges and market reforms for 2015, specifically addressing ACA risk-sharing mechanisms.
( )In this month’s HealthCheck, read about the Academy’s new Health Cost and Quality of Care Initiative, enactment of a law preserving the sustainable growth rate for one year, proposed and final HHS rules, a citation of the Academy in a New York Times article on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and much more.
( )The American Academy of Actuaries’ initiative, Examining the Health Care Equation – Actuarial Perspectives on Cost and Quality, examines health care cost growth and explores options to reduce long-term spending growth and promote high-quality care.
On April 7, 2014, the Academy launched this initiative with a Capitol Hill Briefing as part of its continuing effort to provide objective, unbiased information to serve the public and the United States actuarial profession. The first paper in the series, "New Models of Care Delivery," and the flyer "What Drives the Growing Cost of Health Care" were presented. If you were unable to attend the briefing, please click here to view the presentation.
Click Here for more information on the Academy's latest initiative.
The Medicare Supplement Work Group presented an update to the NAIC's Health Actuarial Task Force on the progress of a review of the Medicare supplement review and a list of next steps.
(
)
The Health Solvency Work Group sent a letter to the NAIC Health Risk-Based Capital Working Group that offered ideas for alternatives to increasing riks-based capital factors to cover the 3Rs.
( )Academy members made well-received presentations at the National Conference of Insurance Legislators’ Spring Meeting in Savannah March 7-9. Ellen Kleinstuber, vice-chairperson of the Academy’s Pension Committee, presented on a March 7 panel, “Longevity Risk & Insurance.” She also offered comments at a special point-counterpoint discussion on a proposed pension de-risking model act. Joyce Bohl, a member of the Federal Health Committee, presented on March 8 as part of a panel on the Affordable Care Act and underwriting.
( )The Joint Academy/SOA Long-Term Care Valuation Work Group released a final report to the NAIC’s Long-Term Care Actuarial Working Group that highlights the work group's process in considering the development of an LTC valuation table.
( )This webinar discussed the most recent findings on National Health Spending from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Since 2009, health care spending has experienced its lowest growth rates in decades. According to a new analysis from the CMS Office of the Actuary, that was published in the January edition of Health Affairs, this trend continued into 2012 with an increase in spending of only 3.7 percent to $2.8 trillion.
( )The Academy's Senior Health Fellow submitted written testimony to the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform for its hearing on the Affordable Care Act's risk-corridor program and whether it constitutes a "bailout" for insurance companies. Read the news release.
( )The Academy submitted comments to NAIC’s Joint Qualified Actuary (A/B/C) Subgroup on definitions of “qualified actuary” as prescribed by the NAIC. In a letter from Academy President Tom Terry, the Academy stated that it is willing to work with regulators to make qualifications for health, life, and Property/Casualty actuaries more consistent and address concerns about oversight of qualification. (
)
The Joint Committee on Retiree Health submitted comments to the Actuarial Standards Board on revisions to ASOP No. 35, Selection of Demographic and Other Noneconomic Assumptions for Measuring Pension Obligations.
( )Academy RBC work groups sent a letter to the NAIC SMI RBC Subgroup outlining concerns with a Dec. 9, 2013, Capital Adequacy Task Force Operational Risk Proposal.
( )The NAIC's Health Actuarial Task Force has exposed the Individual Disability Table Work Group's proposed disability table, final instructions for utilizing the table, and final report which includes an actuarial guideline and proposed changes to the Health Insurance Reserves Model Regulation.
( )Rate Review Practice Note Work Group letter to the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) with comments on a second draft of revisions to the Unified Rate Review Template (URRT) and actuarial memorandum instructions.
( )The Individual Disability Table Work Group released detailed instructions on how to use the newly revised individual disability valuation table.
( )
