Hardest job in America?

An interview with WellPoint’s chief actuary in the Wall Street Journal suggests just how challenging pricing healthcare products has become as ACA rolls out in fits and starts. In the article, she alludes to an announcement last year that had her pounding her steering wheel as she heard the news on the radio. It’s not hard to guess that this was a response to the administration’s back-pedaling on allowing non-compliant plans to continue to be marketed (she made a point of saying she did not disagree with this decision). While many payors are projecting premium increases, others like WellPoint say demographics are tracking their projections.  The chief actuary nonetheless told the WSJ, “it’s not over till the fat lady sings; it’s not over till we have the claims in.”