Keeping You in the Know—Recent Academy Activity, April 11–15, 2022
Only have a minute? The Academy’s new “This Week … In a Minute” video recaps the top stories from the week. Watch this week’s rundown—and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube to be alerted when new videos are released.
Health Webinar Examines Hospital Price Transparency and Variation
Rome presents during Thursday’s webinar
The Academy hosted a health webinar on Thursday, “Hospital Prices: Can Greater Price Transparency Drive Lower Prices and Reduce Price Variation?” Presenters were Michael Cohen, a Congressional Budget Office analyst; Krutika Amin, an associate director for the Kaiser Family Foundation focusing on the Affordable Care Act; and Andrea Rome, a member of the Academy’s Health Care Delivery Committee, which produced the recent issue brief, Implications of Hospital Price Transparency on Hospital Prices and Price Variation. Committee Chairperson Rebecca Owen moderated. In addition to the issue brief, they discussed price variations and the role of insurers, the evolution of price transparency, the potential impact of price transparency on utilization and costs, and took questions from attendees for the second half of the webinar. Slides and audio are available free to logged-in Academy members.
Don’t Forget to Register for Next Week’s Professionalism Webinar on ASOP No. 4 (Pension)
The Academy’s next professionalism webinar in its three-part series on revised actuarial standards of practice is next Friday, April 22. “The Revised ASOP No. 4: What You Need to Know” will examine ASOP No. 4, Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions. Presenters will be Actuarial Standards Board (ASB) member Chris Noble and ASB Pension Committee Member Matthew Smith. Academy Pension Committee Vice Chairperson Grace Lattyak will moderate. The webinar will be held on April 22 from noon to 1 p.m. EDT. Register today.
Register Now for ASOP No. 11 Webinar Next Month (Life & Health)
The third installment, “The Revised ASOP No. 11: Understanding Important Changes,” will look at recently revised ASOP No. 11, Financial Statement Treatment of Reinsurance Transactions Involving Life or Health Insurance. It will be held on May 12 from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT. Register now.
Academy Reinforces DE&I Commitment With Presentation at Drake Symposium
James presents to students at the symposium
Academy Board member and Health Equity Work Group (HEWG) Chairperson Annette James presented on Saturday, April 9, at the Drake Symposium on Insurance on “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Actuarial Profession.” James connected with about 150 students and shared insights on what DE&I is, the importance of diversity in the U.S. actuarial profession and the Academy, and how DE&I is a strategic focus of the Academy. She provided a deep dive into a major area of the Academy’s public policy efforts with a detailed discussion of the HEWG’s ongoing work in defining and addressing health equity actuarial issues, and considerations in incorporating health equity into health work and avoiding unintended consequences.
Early Rates Available for the 2022 Life and Health Qualifications Seminar, Nov. 14–17
The Academy’s 2022 Life and Health Qualifications Seminar held annually, delivers the highest-quality and most efficient way to obtain any needed basic education or relevant continuing education (CE) credit necessary to qualify to issue actuarial opinions for either the NAIC Life and Accident & Health (A&H) Annual Statement or the NAIC Health Annual Statement. The seminar will be held Nov. 14–17 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va. Take advantage of early registration rates—register now.
Calling Contributors—Pension Committee Seeks Subject Matter Expertise on Church Plans
The Academy’s Pension Committee is planning to develop an issue brief on church pension plans. The committee would like to hear from members who have experience with church plans—if you are interested in participating, please contact Pension Policy Analyst Philip Maguire at maguire@actuary.org.
Public Employment Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Actuary is seeking an actuary to work in its Alexandria, Va., office. The DoD Office of the Actuary provides actuarial expertise on all matters relating to military compensation and benefits. Among other duties, this role will be responsible for developing and actuarially evaluating alternatives, hypotheses, and theories about military benefits in the areas of retirement, survivor benefits, education, retiree health care, and life insurance. The application period is open through April 26. For more information and to apply, see the job description at USA Jobs.
The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance is seeking a full-time actuary with expertise in health insurance. A minimum of 5 years of applicable actuarial experience is required. To apply, visit the New Mexico State Personnel Office website (“Job Opportunities” tab; Job ID 122925). Questions—email Anna.Krylova@state.nm.us.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for another 90 days. This will be the ninth such renewal and the period begins tomorrow, April 16. Read the Academy alert.
The Department of the Treasury proposed rules that, if finalized, would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s “family glitch,” which prevents certain lower- or middle-income individuals from receiving premium tax credits to purchase exchange coverage. Read the Academy alert.
Learn about the latest life practice area public policy developments during our “Life Public Policy Update” webinar, to be held on May 4. Registration will open next week.
Planning is also underway for a May 24 webinar that will look at health spending projections. Registration will open soon.
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