10th Annual AHOU Conference 2011

Synchronized Slides and Audio

Synchronized sessions recorded live during the conference
The PowerPoint presentation synchronized with the live audio of each session presentation can be viewed by clicking the session title. The audio and the presenter's PowerPoint presentation were recorded live during the conference.

	Monday, May 2, 2011
1	Opening Cermonies William Marschall, FALU, FLMI, ACS Chair, CIU Cliff Hale, MD, FACP, MBA President, AAIM John O'Leary Australian Life Underwriting & Claims Assoc. John Turner European Life & Health Underwriting Assoc.
2	The State of the Insurance Industry - Perspectives on Critical Issues Facing our Industry C. Robert Henrikson Chairman, MetLife, Inc In July 2010, Henrikson was appointed by President Obama to the President's Export Council, the principal national advisory committee on international trade. He is the former chairman of the Financial Services Forum, immediate past chairman of the ACLI and currently serves on the boards of both organizations. Henrikson will speak on the state of the insurance industry and perspectives on the critical issues facing our industry.
3	AHOU & ALU Update, New FALU Recognition Ceremony and Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Everett W. Kunzelman, FLMI, ACS AHOU President Leslie Frade, FLMI, ACS Chair of LUB Lee A. Janecek, FALU, FLMI Chair, Education Committee, ALU William Marschall, FALU, FLMI, ACS Chair, CIU
4	An Army of Lions - How to Create Leaders at Every Level Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE A member of Speakers Roundtable and the Speaker Hall of Fame, as well as past president of the National Speakers Association, Mark will be presenting on how anyone can make a positive difference, developing genuine leadership ability and power with people. Attendees will benefit from this presentation and seize the opportunity to bring positive impact to the AHOU, their local underwriting organizations, their companies and their personal lives.
	Tuesday, May 3, 2011
5	Advances in Alzheimer’s Research and Dementia Rubin Becker, MD, FRCP(c) Medical Consultant, Manulife Financial As our population ages, the increasing incidence of Alzheimer's and dementia is a major impairment for underwriters to evaluate. What are the new changes in diagnosis? What are the most recent breakthroughs in research? What is the likely future for underwriting this disease? Dr. Becker will provide underwriters with up-to-date information that will be invaluable in their assessment of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
6	The Changing Diabetes Spectrum: What’s Hot and What’s Not Paul Miller, FALU, FLMI, ACS 2nd Vice President, Munich American Reassurance Company This presentation will provide you with the latest developments related to diabetes. Highlights include lowering of the new "normal" in the clinical world and the use of A1c versus blood sugar as the main diagnostic tool. A series of case studies will help drive home the new developments with this most common disease.
7	Brain Reward Drugs: Legally Under the Influence Marianne Cumming, MD, MSc, BSc (Pharm), AALU Vice President, Medical Director, Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. Learn from this well respected Insurance Medical Director with a strong background in pharmacology...why humans thirst for certain drugs...you will be surprised! Underwriters frequently encounter drugs that influence the brain's reward centers in their day-to-day underwriting. Dr. Cumming will highlight potential risks associated with brain reward drugs with a focus on drugs that are legally available. She will discuss the underwriting impact of the current epidemic of prescription drug misuse, particularly opioid analgesics and provide the latest information on medicinal marijuana.
8	Adverse Selection – These Dice Are Loaded Tim Rozar, FSA, MAA, CERA, FLMI Vice President and Actuary, RGA Insurance consumers have an information advantage over insurance companies: they know more about themselves than the insurance companies could possibly hope to. This simple fact has a profound impact on the risk assessment process in the insurance industry. This session will provide a framework to better understand the impact of asymmetric information on the life insurance market by providing concrete examples of adverse selection and suggesting some ways to bridge the information gap between applicants and insurers.
9	Financial Underwriting – Beyond the Formulas John Valickus, FLMI, CLU Vice President, Lincoln Financial Group Is there any gray area when we underwrite financial cases? Is it always black and white on what is acceptable and what is not? We've been educated to use formulas to arrive at face amounts for personal coverage, key person coverage and buy/sell agreements. Come look beyond the formulas to see what other opportunities can be explored in getting comfortable with financial risk taking. You can expect significant audience participation and several case clinics that will expand your creative financial underwriting mind.
10	Offense and Defense: How Protective Value Studies Can Help You Win Jacki Goldstein, MD Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Met Life David Wesley, MD Vice President, Medical R&D, Transamerica Reinsurance Doug Ingle Vice President, Underwriting Research, Underwriting Hannover Life Reassurance Co. of America In today's environment, we are frequently asked to do more with less – by our field force (fewer requirements) as well as our investors (fewer expenses). Protective value studies provide critical information to address these challenges in proper context. Join our experienced panel as they discuss the reasons for protective value studies of new or changed underwriting requirements, demonstrate the data and methods used to assess protective value of specific requirements, and review the concept that underwriting is about the "rare" and how this relates to protective value studies.
11	Advances in Alzheimer’s Research and Dementia (Repeat Session) Rubin Becker, MD, FRCP(c) Medical Consultant, Manulife Financial As our population ages, the increasing incidence of Alzheimer's and dementia is a major impairment for underwriters to evaluate. What are the new changes in diagnosis? What are the most recent breakthroughs in research? What is the likely future for underwriting this disease? Dr. Becker will provide underwriters with up-to-date information that will be invaluable in their assessment of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
12	Cancer – Beating the Odds Cliff Titcomb, MD Consultant, Hannover Life Reinsurance Co. of America An oncology potpourri of cutting edge oncology research and practical pearls underwriters can use to better differentiate cancer risks. Dr. Titcomb will discuss a variety of topics including new developments in diagnostic techniques and treatments. This session will focus on how these advances can assist the underwriter now and in the future in the risk classification process of this complex group of diseases.
13	Echocardiograms – What You Learn in Vegas Shouldn’t Stay in Vegas John Greene, MD Vice President & Chief Medical Director, Lincoln Financial Group The Echocardiogram is a noninvasive window to the heart that provides important information about cardiac chamber sizes, valve abnormalities, wall thickness and LV function. During this presentation we will review cardiac anatomy, Echo terminology, types of echocardiography and will utilize a case-based approach to examine Echo findings of common medical impairments evaluated during the underwriting process with emphasis being placed on the interpretation of results and their mortality significance.
14	Predictive Underwriting – A UK Perspective on Alternate Sources of Protective Value Paul Hately, BSc., FIA Global Head of Accelerated Underwriting and Data Insight, Swiss Re Various studies help us understand how underwriting strategies are likely to affect mortality and enable us to make the best possible decisions. This session will provide leading edge insight on predictive underwriting in the UK and will cover the power of banking and public data to predict underwriting decisions, with practical experience of marketing a product designed around predictive underwriting.
15	Managing Generational Change Nancy Caron, FLMI Sr. Vice President – Underwriting, Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. Joel Frazer, AALU, FLMI Underwriting Consultant, Hartford Life Joe Keown, FALU, FLMI Senior Underwriting Consultant, Nationwide Financial We live and work in a multigenerational world. More so than at any time in the recent past, there are several generations working together…or are they? This presentation will provide you with a generational snapshot of the current workforce, along with work style, communication and expectation similarities & differences each generation brings to the table. The key is how to make those differences strengthen in your organization without driving yourself crazy!
16	Ringside Financial Coaching – Training Today’s Financial Leaders Phil Chuba, FLMI, ACS Vice President, National Account Executive, Prudential Financial Lee Janecek, FALU, FLMI Director & Chief Underwriter, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society Mike Remster, FLMI Vice President, Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. Learn how to develop the best financial training strategy for your underwriters. This panel will present different perspectives on: key elements to include in a successful financial training program, the best resources, approaches, and curriculum structure based on the size and needs of your underwriting department, as well as consideration of training techniques and learning styles and other topics.
17	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Bigger Isn’t Always Better Karen Blackstone, MD, DBIM Vice President & Medical Director, RiverSource Life Insurance Company Progression and rupture of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is associated with high mortality. Proper assessment is crucial for life insurance risk classification. However, with the increasing frequency of imaging tests and the rising number of incidental findings, how does an underwriter make the right decision? Dr. Blackstone will provide valuable and timely insight on the prevalence, predisposing impairments, screening methods, and risk factors for the development, rupture and complications following surgery of AAA.
18	Get Blown Away: Pulmonary Function Tests William Schlechter, MD, FCCP Vice President & Medical Director, Ohio National Life Relax, take a deep breath and exhale. Uncover the dynamics of breathing through Pulmonary Function Tests. This presentation will explore measurement techniques, define the various lung compartments, and interpret the results. It will enable the participant to identify both normal pulmonary functions and commonly seen abnormalities in relationship to respiratory diseases. Illustrative case studies will be presented to relate test results to underwriting.
19	Extending Your Executive Career Beyond Underwriting! Moderator: Dave Wheeler, FALU, FLMI Sr. Vice President – US Underwriting, RGA Panelists: Jennifer Davies, FALU, FLMI, CLU, ChFC Sr. Vice President – Enterprise Development, Symetra Financial (Retired) Paul Howman, FLMI Executive Vice President, PlanetSoft, Inc. Ross Morton, FLMI Reassurer / Advisor / Mentor Is it your goal to extend your career beyond underwriting? Would you like to be president or executive vice president of your company? Experience how these 3 industry professionals who started their careers as underwriting trainees progress through the corporate ranks and now hold or previously held executive positions in and out of insurance companies.
20	Fair Risk Assessment: Is it Fair? John Turner Head of Life & Health Underwriting-Continental Europe Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd. President, European Life & Health Underwriting Association (ELHUA) Balancing the need to stay within pricing assumptions and being profitable as insurers while reflecting increasing societal demands for access to insurance for all has become a constant challenge in many countries. In an era of ever increasing focus on ending discrimination in all its forms, what is the future of risk selection and indeed private insurance? How much are consumers prepared to accept in the name of fairness? John will provide an analysis of the current regulatory challenges to risk selection in Europe and other markets and discuss the risk of such restrictions spreading into North American insurance law and what can you as insurance professionals do to help avoid excessive or damaging regulation in your country.
21	Premium Financing – It’s Coming Back Mike McFarland, FLMI Vice President – Life Underwriting, Prudential Financial Mike Talty Director, Marketing Management, Prudential Financial Premium financing has long been a viable estate planning tool. As our economy recovers, capital becomes available, and estate taxes become a hot topic once more, premium financing requests increase. Understanding the different premium financing arrangements, along with the associated risks and benefits, will help the underwriter separate high quality business from high risk cases and protect against STOLI.
22	Preferred Underwriting in the Elderly Charlotte Lee, MD, DBIM, FLMI President & Owner, Charlotte A. Lee, MD, PA Today, we write more applications on persons aged 70 and over than ever before. As our population ages, so do the demands and expectations of our older aged applicants. When looking at whether or not a standard offer can become preferred, there are some important differences to consider between the younger and older ages. This talk covers the basics that should be considered when making a preferred decision, and then fine-tunes the process with tools that will aid substantially in deciding between standard and preferred. Such tools include recent medical developments and studies regarding laboratory findings, newer screening methods for cognitive and functional ability, and thoughts on handling multiple impairments.
23	Ask the Doctor Moderator: Peter Speers, AALU, FLMI Director – Underwriting National Producer Relations, RBC Life Insurance Company Panelists: Marianne Cumming, MD, MSc, BSc (Pharm), AALU Vice President, Medical Director, Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. Jacki Goldstein, MD Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Met Life Robert Snihura, MD, FRCPC Vice President & Chief Medical Director, RBC Life Ins. Co. Three highly skilled medical doctors are on stage in this exciting panel discussion. The agenda topics will address some of the most pressing medical conditions facing underwriters today. Will they agree with each other's opinions? Will a debate commence? Can there be more than one approach to resolving medical decisions that impact mortality and morbidity? Come join this session, and listen to the answers to these questions and more, as this promises to be both entertaining and educational!
24	Seeing Through the Smoke: Common Myths of the Laboratory Betsy Sears, MT (ASCP) Executive Vice President, Sales Support & Client Solutions ExamOne – A Quest Diagnostics Company Can novocaine cause a false positive cocaine result? Does second-handsmoke show up in non-smokers laboratory results? Get the answers to these questions and many more during this fun, interactive presentation.Ms. Sears will use real-life calls from underwriters, agents and applicants to dispel many common laboratory myths and will provide the facts you need to answer these questions with confidence.
25	Improving the New Business Process Dana Devine, FALU, FLMI Director, Life Underwriting & Claims and Chief Underwriter, United Farm Family Life Sharon Smith, FALU, FLMI, ALHC Assistant Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Sun Life Financial New Business leaders are continuously challenged with finding ways to make the new business process faster, cheaper and better. The Committee on Life Insurance Mortality and Underwriting Surveys of the Society of Actuaries has undertaken a survey to examine the various changes insurance companies have recently made, or are thinking of making, to improve the new business process. Highlights from this survey as well as the experience from a company that has dramatically transformed their new business process will be shared and discussed during this session.
26	Law & Order: Material Misrepresentation Kathleen Alfano Vice President – Underwriting & New Business, Sun Life Financial Jordan Carreira, FALU Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Lincoln Financial Group Blair Groff Chief Counsel – Indvidual Insurance, Manulife Financial Kevin Oldani Sr. Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Hannover Life Reassurance Co. of America Karen Orozco, FALU, FLMI, MBA Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Manulife Financial This serious and timely topic is presented by a star-studded cast in a fun and interactive mock trial. In addition to presenting essential information that an underwriter would need to know for trial, this session will go one step further and provide insight on what can be critical in day to day underwriting…well before the need to appear in court.
27	Actuaries are from Mars, Underwriters are from Venus Jeff Marks, FSA Director Research, Northwestern Mutual Chris Noyes, FSA, MAAA Vice President, Sales, RGA Have you ever wondered what the heck actuaries are talking about and if they even realize they're speaking a different language? Does it really matter to you or have any bearing on the work that you do? Be prepared to have the secrets of the actuarial world revealed in this enlightening session presented by two "fun" actuaries as described by at least one of your fellow colleagues. Through the use of interactive voting technology, guess what various actuarial sound bites mean, then enjoy their interpretation into underwriter-ese, and find out how they impact your business and day to day decisions.
28	Traumatic Brain Injuries Anthony Norelli, MD Assistant Medical Director, Northwestern Mutual With increasing awareness of the prevalence and pervasiveness of traumatic brain injury comes increased concern about both its short and long term effects. Though our understanding of these disparate sequelae continues to evolve, there are a number of issues we can examine currently from an underwriting perspective.
29	Prostate Cancer: From Secrets of the Past to Advances of the Future Jack Swanson, MD Independent Medical Consultant Dr. Swanson spent his early career working with Dr. Donald Gleason who developed the prostate cancer grading system we use today. His presentation will balance practical experience and insight with new advances and studies. Highlights include: the new PSA screening guidelines, free and complexed PSA, Gleason patterns and tertiary scoring, staging and treatment cautions, and survival statistics. There will be a discussion of current studies, as well as myths about recurrence, treatments, and watchful waiting.
30	Hemochromatosis: Understanding the 21st Century Genetics and Underlying Risks Gina Guzman, MD, DBIM, ALMI, AALU Second Vice President & Medical Director Munich American Reassurance Company Hemochromatosis is the most prevalent genetic disorder in the United States. This presentation provides an easy-to-understand approach to underwriting that highlights genetic combinations and morbidity and mortality risks. It will include a general overview (definition, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment) followed by a case presentation which emphasizes the important prognostic factors for assessment.
31	Ask the Chief Moderator: Mike Remster, FLMI Vice President, Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. Panelists: Susan Ghalili, FALU, FLMI, CLU Vice President & Life Underwriting Officer, John Hancock Neal Halder, AALU, FLMI, CLU Assistant Vice President & Chief Underwriter- Individual Life, Principal Financial Group Shelby Hollister-Share FALU, FLMI Vice President, Life Underwriting, Genworth Financial Today's Chief Underwriter faces many challenges: expense management; reinsurance; vendor relationships; underwriting requirements; field expectations; staffing; time service; and mortality results, among others. As no two underwriting organizations are the same, this session offers the opportunity to hear the perspectives of several leading chief underwriters and have questions answered on many hot topics in life underwriting.
32	Law & Order: Material Misrepresentation (Repeat Session) Kathleen Alfano Vice President – Underwriting & New Business, Sun Life Financial Jordan Carreira, FALU Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Lincoln Financial Group Blair Groff Chief Counsel – Indvidual Insurance, Manulife Financial Kevin Oldani Sr. Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Hannover Life Reassurance Co. of America Karen Orozco, FALU, FLMI, MBA Vice President & Chief Underwriter, Manulife Financial This serious and timely topic is presented by a star-studded cast in a fun and interactive mock trial. In addition to presenting essential information that an underwriter would need to know for trial, this session will go one step further and provide insight on what can be critical in day to day underwriting…well before the need to appear in court.
33	Actuaries are from Mars, Underwriters are from Venus (Repeat Session) Jeff Marks, FSA Director Research, Northwestern Mutual Chris Noyes, FSA, MAAA Vice President, Sales, RGA Have you ever wondered what the heck actuaries are talking about and if they even realize they're speaking a different language? Does it reallymatter to you or have any bearing on the work that you do? Be prepared to have the secrets of the actuarial world revealed in this enlightening session presented by two "fun" actuaries as described by at least one of your fellow colleagues. Through the use of interactive voting technology, guess what various actuarial sound bites mean, then enjoy their interpretation into underwriter-ese, and find out how they impact your business and day to day decisions.
	Wednesday, May 4, 2011
34	Pediatric Obesity and Metabolic Issues Joseph A. Skelton, MD Director of Brenner FIT at Brenner Children's Hospital of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Director of the Collaborative to Strengthen Families and Neighborhoods in Winston-Salem and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Dr. Skelton will be presenting on childhood obesity and metabolic issues. The presentation will address many of the issues underwriters increasingly see today with children and teens and discuss how they lead to issues in adult life.
35	Business Session
	Recording was not allowed during the Amiee Mullins AHOU Conference presentation. The following two Mullins presentations are from ted.com. Aimee Mulllins defies conventional description, both on and off the track. As an athlete, she holds world records in a number of track events. She is a model, actress and speaker. The fact that she is a bilateral below-the-knee amputee, born without fibula bones in both shins, has not hindered her success in any way. In fact, Aimee has used it as a springboard to an illustrious, varied career that defines the idea of 'no limits'!
36	Aimee Mullins and Her 12 Pairs of Legs Athlete, actor and activist Aimee Mullins talks about her prosthetic legs -- she's got a dozen amazing pairs -- and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height ... Quite simply, she redefines what the body can be.
37	Aimee Mullins: The Opportunity of Adversity The thesaurus might equate "disabled" with synonyms like "useless" and "mutilated," but ground-breaking runner Aimee Mullins is out to redefine the word. Defying these associations, she shows how adversity -- in her case, being born without shinbones -- actually opens the door for human potential.