The Academy released a research study, Estimating the Potential Health Care Savings of Reference Pricing, which explores the possibility of using reference pricing to address health care costs, and builds upon existing research by estimating the impact of expanding reference pricing to a broader set of health care services.

The Long-Term Care Past Losses Considerations Work Group has developed this issue brief to identify issues commonly raised in favor of and against recoupment of past losses in various situations.

The Health Solvency Subcommittee sent comments to the NAIC's Health Risk-Based Capital (E) Working Group on the impact on Health Risk-Based Capital (HRBC) from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA).

The Individual and Small Group Markets Committee and its Risk Sharing Subcommittee submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) and Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Aug. 10 proposed rule regarding the adoption of methodology for the HHS-operated permanent risk adjustment program.

A new issue brief produced by the Individual and Small Group Markets Committee, Auto-Enrollment Into Individual Market Health Insurance Coverage, provides insights on the potential and challenges of using auto-enrollment in the individual health insurance market, in particular by exploring current uses of auto-enrollment and what would be needed to implement auto-enrollment in the individual market.

The Joint P&C/Health Bond Factors Analysis Work Group Report to the NAIC Investment Risk-Based Capital (E) Working Group, Health Risk-Based Capital (E) Working Group, and Property and Casualty Risk- Based Capital (E) Working Group on indicated bond risk factors for the Property Casualty Risk Based Capital Formula (P&C RBC Formula) and the Health Risk Based Capital Formula (Health RBC Formula).

Individual and Small Group Markets Committee members present at the 2018 SOA Health Meeting on examining rules surrounding association health plans, short-term limited duration insurance plans, and health reimbursement arrangements from the Trump Administration.

The Long-Term Care & Disability Committee sent comments on proposed legislation to add a long-term care benefit to the Medicare program, evaluating in terms of financing, benefits, and coordination with other programs.

A new issue brief produced by the Individual and Small Group Markets Committee, Drivers of 2019 Health Insurance Premium Changes, provides an overview of the general factors underlying premium rate setting and highlights the major components driving premium changes for 2019. Read the news release.

The Medicare Subcommittee published an issue brief, Medicare’s Financial Condition: Beyond Actuarial Balance, on significant concerns about Medicare’s long-term financial health.

The Individual and Small Group Markets Committee sent comments on a proposed rule that would lengthen the maximum period of short-term, limited-duration (STLD) insurance through amending the definition of STLD.

The Health Practice Council gave a briefing on Capitol Hill to policymakers and congressional and federal agency staff, offering expertise on the drivers of growth in drug expenses; benefits versus costs for new treatments; the impact of high and increasing prescription drug costs on payers; and options to address spending. Read the news release.

The Prescription Drug Work Group published an issue brief highlighting prescription drug issues present in our health care system, including cost drivers, the effect on various stakeholders, and possible approaches that might help address the health care cost growth associated with prescription drugs.

The Individual and Small Group Markets Committee sent comments to the U.S. Department of Labor on proposed rules regarding the definition of ‘‘Employer’’ under section 3(5) of ERISA—Association Health Plans.

The Health Practice Council sent comments to the Idaho Department of Insurance on allowing health insurers to offer state-based plans that are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act in Idaho.