Presentations
Opening Ceremonies
Keynote Presentation - Economic Innovation: Keeping Corporations Competitive in the 21st Century Austan Goolsbee, PhD Austan Goolsbee analyzes the key economic challenges facing the US and the importance of innovative solutions that will keep businesses competitive. As the nation looks to increase growth on the long term, continuing uncertainty over economic policy remains a critical issue at the forefront of corporate executives’ minds. Addressing the fiscal challenges that lie ahead for America, he explores how focusing on spurring investment and innovation and improving US exports will have long-term positive impact - while a failure to act risks a lasting period of painful economic stagnation. Commenting on key challenges including attracting top talent, protecting innovation in a global marketplace, as well as macroeconomic factors like lingering high unemployment, the burdens of regulation, and the increasing federal deficit, he analyzes the nation’s economic health and disseminates complex economic policy with his insightful humor. Austan will help you decide how the policy decisions in Washington influence the middle-class, the competitiveness of various industries, and how it will impact you and your company.
AHOU Executive Council Updates and AHOU 2018 Hall of Fame
Childhood Cancer - What's Being Done to Improve Outcomes Lucy A. Godley, MD, PhD Sakshi Uppal, PhD Dr. Godley and Dr. Uppal will share their insights and research experience into childhood cancers. This presentation will include an overview of the incidence, prevalence, and mortality and morbidity of childhood cancers and associated secondary cancers. They will share the significance of bench to bedside translational research in pediatric cancers. Dr. Uppal, under the excellent mentorship of Dr. Godley, has been researching experimental methods to improve stratification of neuroblastoma patients. They will discuss the importance of the need for continued funding for childhood cancer research.
Association Delegates, New FALU Recognition, and Closing Comments
Exciting Medical Frontiers: Are You Prepared? Dave Rengachary, MD, FALU Join us for this important exercise - utilizing a 5-10 year horizon, we will identify the top ten trends in medicine, which are predicted to have a transformative impact on our industry. Each trend will be viewed through the lens of separating promise from reality and identifying bottom line courses of action that should be considered now in order to both leverage opportunities and mitigate threats.
The Digital Transformation of Life Insurance Online Steve Wallace Technologies are threatening entire industries. As many people are negatively affected, more are thriving by accepting and adapting to the changing environment. What are the steps involved in preparing ourselves and the insurance industry for this constant evolution? How do we revitalize a marketplace and engage consumers in new ways to become valued customers? What online sources of information can we actually rely on and use when underwriting a potential policyholder? You won’t want to miss this interesting and thought-provoking presentation.
Genomic Medicine Howard Jacob, PhD Genomics and pharmacogenetics hold tremendous potential for the future of medicine, but how is genomic medicine being used to make an impact in patient lives today? Join us to hear how Dr. Jacob and his team at HudsonAlpha are using DNA sequencing to treat patients and working to integrate the technology into routine medical practice throughout the country.
Beyond the Buzz: Applying Beharioral Economics for Better Business Results Keith Brown, MSM, CLU, ChFC, FALU, FLMI, RHU This is a session to discuss and demonstrate tangible ways in which behavioral economics can be used in application and personal history interview design to improve disclosure rates, mortality, and early duration persistency.
How Incumbant Carriers Can Win Nick Gerhart Today disruption is often talked about. Will insurance face its “Uber” moment? Maybe. A perspective on how to innovate and think big, yet execute small and wisely, will be covered.
The Underwriting Shapeshifter Cindy Mitchell, FALU, FLMI, CLU Zachary Pugh Steve Sherrill, FALU, FLMI, ACS Kevin Smith, FLMI, AALU, CLU, CSSC Change, changeover, metamorphosis, shift, transformation! Underwriters today wear a variety of hats and are asked to be experts in mortality, risk assessment, and innovation while keeping in mind the ever-changing regulatory environment. This session features industry experts who started their careers as life underwriters. They will highlight the skills that keep an underwriter relevant today – and the expertise that can seamlessly transition to other areas of the life insurance industry.
What We Don't Know Might Harm Us Richard C. Neal, MD, DBIM, FLU, CLU, FLMI
Accelerated Underwriting Perspectives Neal Halder, CLU, FLMI, AALU DuWayne Kilbo, MBA, FLMI Kevin Oldani Accelerated underwriting has been around for a number of years and is quickly becoming part of the normal underwriting process. What was expected and learned by adoption of this process? Looking ahead, how will this paradigm evolve and what new underwriting tools will emerge to improve customer experience and attract new buyers of life insurance? Views will be shared from a distribution, direct carrier, and reinsurance aspect.
The War on Cancer: Reports from Various Battlefields Brad Heltemes, MD, DBIM Attend this session to hear about the latest updates on new prognostic and staging information for select cancers. This will include details about the recent technologic and pharmaceutical advances that will shape the future of cancer, its treatment, and precision medicine.
Genetic Testing - Where We Are Today Mark Vincent, MD, FASFP, DBIM, ALMI Journey through the recent past with a brief historical background on what the advances in genetic testing have been in recent years. The presentation will highlight how these advances impact us today from the perspective of the consumer as well as the insurance industry discussing the pros and cons from a Medical Director’s perspective. Moving forward, what will be the challenges in underwriting related to genetic testing? Join this presentation to learn the most current trends and what we can expect in the future.
Making Electronic Health Records a Reality for Underwriting Susan Wehrman, FLMI, ACS Electronic Health Records (EHR) are a hot topic today, especially when we contemplate how they might change our life underwriting capabilities. What are the practical considerations in making this a reality for our business? Join us in this discussion to find out how far we can go with EHRs.
Cysts, Baubles, Bangles, and More Robert Frank, MD Various forms of cysts, celiac disease, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) represent just a few interesting medical findings encountered in underwriting. At what point do these become a true mortality concern … or do they? Dr. Frank will highlight these conditions and refresh our understanding of them. In addition, he will introduce us to the latest new gastrointestinal finding of SIBO. What is this condition, how prevalent is it, and how do we assess its significance?
Fraud in the Accelerated World Jennifer Johnson Trent Landes, ACS, AIRC, ALHC, ARA Erin Worthington, CFE, FLMI, FLHC, ACS Three insurance claims and underwriting professionals share what tools and techniques they are using to identify, report, and combat fraud specifically in the accelerated product line of business.
Underwriting in the Time of Legalized Drugs - Marijuana Use and the Opioid Epidemic Nico van Zyl, MD This presentation will address questions frequently encountered regarding the underwriting impact of legalized recreational marijuana use and look at the characteristics of the current opioid epidemic. We will cover the mortality data as well as important underwriting considerations.
Underwriting Engines: Are You In or Out? Thomas Gangemi Diane Hobbs, FALU, FLMI, CLU Andrew Vigar, FALU, FLMI Bill Wysong A panel of experienced professionals will discuss their personal thoughts regarding risks, benefits, and unanswered questions surrounding the use of automated underwriting engines.
Underwriting Asthma and COPD: Using Rx to Differentiate Dan Fleischman, PharmD, BCPS
Deploying Wearable Devices to Capture Biometrics for Use in Underwriting Christy Lane, PhD Paul Rivard, FLMI, AALU Wearable devices, sensors, and smartphones are generating trillions of bytes of data. New metrics derived from this data, known as digital bio markers, will change the way we underwrite. Physical activity metrics in particular will become very important in predicting mortality and morbidity. Learn how to leverage these new metrics for more accurate risk assessment, dynamic underwriting, and wellness support.
Pardon Our Opinion! Jordan Carreira, FALU Eric Flender, FALU, FLMI, CLU, ChFC, ACS Kent Major Three well-known and respected Chief Underwriters will provide their knowledge, expertise, and valuable opinions regarding a variety of hot and interesting topics we encounter in our industry today. Make sure to get a seat for this lively discussion!
Two Truths and a Lie - Applicant Nondisclosure Betsy Sears, MS, MT(ASCP)
Professional Development - How to Stay Relevant Wally Empleo, FALU, ALMI, ACS Terry Feeney, FALU, FLMI, ACS Christopher Guerin Angela Thieschafer, LPN, FALU, FLMI Four underwriting specialists will discuss industry trends, tips, organizational strategies, and success stories to promote professional development and the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to build strong underwriters today and in the future.
New Industry Trends in Claims and Underwriting Joel Jones, FLMI, AALU Scott Morrow, FSA, MAAA, FIA These experts will give an overview of the Early Duration Claims Survey produced by the Society of Actuaries’ Committee on Life Insurance Mortality and Underwriting Surveys, as well as provide insights into new findings in older age underwriting.
Pesky Lab Findings, The Bane of Our Existence Michael Fulks, MD, FLMI, DBIM A case-based workshop using published applicant-based mortality research to facilitate more effective and efficient initial underwriting of hematuria, high creatinine, low albumin, and a positive screening CDT.
The Metamorphosis of Underwriting: The Sprint Ahead of Silicon Valley Philippe Aussel Competition among industry participants has been the historical driver of the evolution of underwriting. Today, our industry is facing an unprecedented technological transformation and threat from technological ventures, which could possibly rock our old and trusted way of doing business. Philippe’s presentation will challenge present-day underwriters to adapt to unconventional risk assessment methodologies. Fasten your seat belts. Turbulences ahead!
Melanoma Underwriting Hank George, FALU Hank has specialized in melanoma for 35 years. Attend this session to embellish your acumen in the underwriting of this oft-encountered neoplasm.
Fraud in the Accelarated World (Repeat) Jennifer Johnson Trent Landes, ACS, AIRC, ALHC, ARA Erin Worthington, CFE, FLMI, FLHC, ACS Three insurance claims and underwriting professionals share what tools and techniques they are using to identify, report, and combat fraud specifically in the accelerated product line of business.
Making Electronic Health Records a Reality for Underwriting (Repeat) Susan Wehrman, FLMI, ACS Electronic Health Records (EHR) are a hot topic today, especially when we contemplate how they might change our life underwriting capabilities. What are the practical considerations in making this a reality for our business? Join us in this discussion to find out how far we can go with EHRs.
Underwriting in the Time of Legalized Drugs - Marijuana Use and the Opioid Epidemic (Repeat) Nico van Zyl, MD This presentation will address questions frequently encountered regarding the underwriting impact of legalized recreational marijuana use and look at the characteristics of the current opioid epidemic. We will cover the mortality data as well as important underwriting considerations.
Atrial Fibrillation... When the Atria Tremble James Kadouch, MD Following this session you will be able to recognize atrial fibrillation on an ECG, distinguish its different patterns, and understand it mechanisms and the modern management of this cardiac disorder. Morbidity and mortality associated with this condition will also be discussed.
Modulating the Biological Rate of Aging: Are We Close? S. Jay Olshansky, PhD While humanity has succeeded in extending life by reducing the risk of death for infants and children, we’re now faced with an entirely new dilemma – what to do about aging-related diseases that accumulate in aging bodies? Evidence has emerged in recent years suggesting that the biological rate of aging in people is mutable, and a concerted effort is now underway to make this happen. Dr. Olshansky will discuss the logic behind this effort (known as the Longevity Dividend Initiative or Geroscience) and describe some of the more promising interventions that have surfaced in recent years.
The Challenges and Pressures of Pricing Jeff Marks, FSA It is vital that underwriters and actuaries work together on underwriting rules and pricing. Learn how to get more involved, have your voice heard, and collaborate as a team to develop better synergy across functional areas within your company.
Two Truths and a Lie - Applicant Nondisclosure Betsy Sears, MS, MT(ASCP) We will be sharing statistics through call center, paramedical, and laboratory results to display the significance of non-disclosure from applicant responses. Based on this data, we will show the impact on our daily underwriting efforts and the possible mortality implications.
Accelerated Underwriting Perspectives (Repeat) Neal Halder, CLU, FLMI, AALU DuWayne Kilbo, MBA, FLMI Kevin Oldani Accelerated underwriting has been around for a number of years and is quickly becoming part of the normal underwriting process. What was expected and learned by adoption of this process? Looking ahead, how will this paradigm evolve and what new underwriting tools will emerge to improve customer experience and attract new buyers of life insurance? Views will be shared from a distribution, direct carrier, and reinsurance aspect.
Exciting Medical Frontiers: Are You Prepared? (Repeat) Dave Rengachary, MD, FALU Join us for this important exercise - utilizing a 5-10 year horizon, we will identify the top ten trends in medicine, which are predicted to have a transformative impact on our industry. Each trend will be viewed through the lens of separating promise from reality and identifying bottom line courses of action that should be considered now in order to both leverage opportunities and mitigate threats.
ETTs and PFTs: It's All in the Interpretation Sandra Mohr, MD, MPH After attending this presentation, each participant should be able to identify whether an exercise tolerance test (ETT) and a pulmonary function test (PFT) is valid as well as apply general interpretation skills. The session is designed for underwriters interested in learning more about the basics of these two types of testing methods used in determining an individual’s cardiac and lung health.
Current Trends in Premium Financing of Life Insurance Paul Farrell, JD, CLU, CFP Attend this session to explore premium financing arrangements and the current trends in this vibrant marketplace. We will look at current opportunities and risks from the perspective of the insured, insurer, agent, and lender. Then we move into the future for what is to come.
Remote Underwriting, Part Deux: The Sequel is Never as Good as the Original! John Valickus, FALU, FLMI, CLU This presentation will focus around where remote underwriting is today and the changes we have seen over the past 11 years. John did a presentation in 2006 when remote underwriting was in its infantile stage.
The Heart of the Matter: Adult Congenital Heart Disease Marianne Cumming, BScPharm, MSc, MD, DBIM, FALU Advances in cardiac management and surgery have led to improved survival with many children with significant heart disease surviving into adulthood and applying for insurance products. Using an underwriting case-based approach, risk classification for common congenital heart defects will be discussed, including tetralogy of fallot, transposition of the great vessels, coarctation of the aorta, and other conditions. Available long-term literature will be reviewed and the appropriate selection of cardiac studies for risk classification will be presented.
Ready or Not, Change is Coming Lori House Jonathan Meindel, MBA, FALU, FLMI With so much potential industry disruption at our doorsteps, a robust change management strategy and stakeholder engagement plan are critical elements to any company’s new business and underwriting innovation efforts. Hear from two leaders whose organizations recognize the importance of taking a participatory approach to effectively leading change during these turbulent times.
The ABCs of Hepatitis Gina Guzman, MD, DBIM, FALU, FLMI Dr. Guzman will provide an easy-to-understand approach to underwriting this disorder. She will cover the top viral causes of hepatitis A, B, and C including clinical presentations, diagnosis, and the prognostic factors available in stratifying the risk. Treatment options, the mortality improvement seen with the newer medications, and non-invasive methods for determining liver fibrosis will be discussed.
The Metamorphosis of Underwriting: The Sprint Ahead of Silicon Valley (Repeat) Philippe Aussel Competition among industry participants has been the historical driver of the evolution of underwriting. Today, our industry is facing an unprecedented technological transformation and threat from technological ventures, which could possibly rock our old and trusted way of doing business. Philippe’s presentation will challenge present-day underwriters to adapt to unconventional risk assessment methodologies. Fasten your seat belts. Turbulences ahead!
Recap Show and AHOU Officer Transition
Competing Pressures: A Systematic Approach to Changing Behavior Matt Wallaert With two Nobel Prizes for economics now in the hands of behavioral scientists, it is abundantly clear science has recognized that, while humans are profoundly irrational beings, there is order in the chaos. This is good, because otherwise underwriting math would be completely useless. However, when we acknowledge irrationality and the ability for behavior change, we open the door to reframing how we think about what underwriting represents. Join this session for an exploration of structural ways of thinking about behavior change and a crash course in how big companies are turning to psychology to understand traditionally economic problems.
Closing Remarks, Giveaways, and Invitation to the 2019 AHOU Annual Conference