Publications
Risk Selection: Considering New Mortality Markers
Interview: Dave Dorans of Transamerica Reinsurance interviews Tia Goss Sawhney, June 2009
Abstract:
Dave Dorans, Vice President of Mortality Solutions at Transamerica Reinsurance, discusses life insurance underwriting with Tia Goss Sawhney. Tia believes that life insurers still have much room to improve mortality risk assessment via the underwriting process – from the design of health history questions to the use of technology to improve the process and to capture data for experience analytics.
Underwrite Health, But Do It Only Once
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, June 2009
Abstract:
Post issue modifications and rescissions are bad for everyone. Post-suue underwriting should be reserved for the most egregious fraud. It should not be standard business practice. By embracing three sound practices, health insurers can significantly reduce their need for post-issue underwriting.
Prescription Drug Risk Assessment Tools: They Need Improvement
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, January 2009
Abstract:
This article will provide readers with a primer on the mechanics of the algorithms underlying today’s prescription drug risk assessment tools. By pointing to specific scenarios where the tools produce illogical results, the author will then discuss some of the most obvious shortcomings of these tools. Finally, the author will describe how underwriters, medical directors, and statisticians could work together to improve the tools.
The Post-Millennial Metamorphosis in Life Underwriting
Article by Hank George and Tia Goss Sawhney, November 2008
Abstract:
Major changes in life underwriting health screening protocols are necessary if life insurance is to remain a player in the financial services revolution. The old ways are not aligned with the current demands.
The Case Against Paper-Based Risk Assessment
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, November 2008
Abstract:
The article asserts that there is a quantum leap with respect to the quality, consistency, and the speed of life and health insurance industry underwriting decisions if the industry would 1) eliminate paper-based risk assessment questions and 2) dramatically redesign the teleinterview and internet-based data collection processes so that they collect and use primarily databased, structured data.
A Holistic Approach to Health Underwriting
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, March 2008
Abstract:
This article proposes a new framework for individual health insurance underwriting and briefly describes the application and underwriting process changes necessary to implement the new framework.
Auto Insurance Principles Should Apply to Health Insurance
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, January 2008
Abstract:
If we pull the emotions out of health insurance, which is admittedly hard to do even for the author, and look at health insurance from the economic perspective, there are several insights from auto insurance that can illuminate the design, risk selection, and rating of health insurance. This article explores those insights.
Health Insurance and Managed Care: Uses of Information Technology
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, Alam Singh, and Richard Moyer, April 2006
Abstract:
This article explores the way that health insurers and managed care companies globally are using IT and helps the reader understand some of the possibilities for predictive analysis in the near future in India.
Health Insurance Lessons from the Auto Industry
Article by Tia Goss Sawhney, March 2006
Abstract:
This article enumerates some of the reasons for the discrepancy in purchase rates between auto insurance and individual health insurance. It then looks to the auto insurance market for insights as to how more people could be covered under in the individual health insurance market.
Predictive Analytics and the New World of Retail Healthcare
Article by Simmi P. Singh and Tia Goss Sawhney, January 2006
Abstract:
This article predicts that savvy health insurance companies will use of predictive analytics in the individual health insurance market to better predict health care costs and to target and market accordingly, allowing them to sell a disproportionate amount of business and earn superior returns due to better alingment between premiums and costs. The
