Mortality Experience in the Elderly in the Impairment Study Capture System (Thomas Ashley, MD, FACP; Clifton P. Titcomb Jr., MD; Anna Hart, MS; Richard Bergstrom, FSA, MAAA )

Aviation & Hazardous Sports Study (Roudebush BT, Milano AF, and Hart AR) Journal of insurance medicine (New York, N.Y.) 40(1):44-54, 2008

Overview
Excess mortality from participation in Aviation and Hazardous Sports is conventionally believed to behave like a flat extra.  In order to verify or refute that belief, the Mortality and Morbidity Liaison Committee, (MMLC), is currently performing a study of such participation using the Impairment Study Capture System (ISCS) to determine the impact on the mortality of insured individuals. While this study will use the normal covariates and outcomes of interest, it is not anticipated that excess death rates will vary by all of the traditional underwriting variables.

For some though, differences in experience may be material and reflect real differences in risk taking behavior (e.g., Issue Age, Smoking). Traditional mortality ratios and excess death rates over the 2001 VBT are employed, with results stratified by traditional underwriting variables.

Since risk increases with exposure, it is fortunate that MIB codes stratify by annual hours flown, the most widely used basis for accident exposure. The study will stratify Aviation results by each of the following:

Aviation – pilot or regular crew member of conventional aircraft, helicopter or glider, 2 years.

• 0-100 Hours

• 101-200 Hours

• Over 200 Hours

• Hours unknown

The study will also stratify Hazardous Sports results by each of the following:

• Hazardous sports participation, 2 years.

• Motor vehicle racing

• Flying in other than conventional aircraft, helicopter or glider

• Underwater sports

• Other
  
  ________________________________________________________________________

MMLC Cardiac Study

Dr. Krause is in the process of drafting a proposal to initiate a Cardiac Study sponsored by the MMLC.

Other Contributors: Dr. David Winsemius and Steve Freitas

Overview

The Mortality and Morbidity Liaison Committee (MMLC) is proposing to perform a series of Cardiac Studies using the Impairment Study Capture System (ISCS).  Various Cardiac Impairments that are identified in the ISCS will be examined to determine their impact on the mortality of insured individuals.  The Cardiac conditions examined are a result of findings on Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests.  The ECG conditions examined include Abnormal ST Segment Depression and T Waves; Bundle Branch Block; Abnormal Q Waves; Stress Test Results; Major Cardiac Test and Minor Cardiac Test codes.  The degree and importance of Age, Gender, Face Amount, Reinsurance Status, Smoking Status, Underwriting Requirements, Risk Class, and Type of Insurance Plan will all be modeled to determine their quantitative effect on the time to death within each of the ECG conditions.

Updated  01/06/09