Underwriting

The industry has been talking about the “future of UW” for decades, but now COVID-19 has “accelerated the inevitable” and the future is now.
 

Dr. Achim Regenauer, Chief Medical Officer, discusses a newly published study that links air pollution to the occurrence of common neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, the two fastest-growing neurological conditions in the world.
 

In my experience, two of the most challenging underwriting topics for advisors to understand are liver disease and kidney disease. 
 

We’re used to seeing hypercholesterolemia as a known risk factor, but high triglycerides are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Several underwriting tools have been adopted by carriers to issue coverage faster, in many cases without the need for insurance exams or requirements such as a traditional APS.  Some of these tools are new, while others have been in use previously, but have recently been enhanced to streamline the underwriting process.

Applying Modern Biotechnology to Life Insurance Underwriting

In ReFlections, RGA's Dr. Georgiana Willwerth-Pascutiu provides a scientific perspective on one of the most controversial and complex plants in the world, including its derivatives, its prevalence of use, and insurance industry implications.

Advancements in hepatitis C (HCV) reach further than just curing 90% of those infected with the virus. For the first time in a quarter of a century, the organ transplant list has decreased thanks to utilizing organs from HCV infected donors.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was first described in 1891 as “dysmorphophobia” by Enrico Morselli, an Italian psychiatrist.It is an obsession with perceived flaws in one’s own appearance that will most likely appear insignificant or unobservable to others. This article will look at BDD in more detail and cover the potential implications for obtaining insurance.

Millions of overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk of non-communicable diseases and early mortality than the non-obese. RGA's Hilary Henly explores what insurers need to know about the consequences of rising obesity rates and dietary trends across the globe.