Conference Program/Sessions

Companies are using automation in processing, including waiving death certificates. Trending toward quick payments. What are the risks versus rewards? Possible discriminatory practices through algorithms used to target cases to further scrutinize. Are we becoming overly reliant on technology?

Chief Wilson will help understanding Florida Department of Financial Services fraud referral process once a case has been submitted by an Insurance Company.

The last five years has seen an explosion in the use of e-signatures for document formalization – and a corresponding explosion in risks and issues associated with the tool. Bots applying for insurance, geography questions, IP issues, challenge questions, device ID, facial or natural voice recognition technologies…We will take all of these on and more! Jointly presented with the Law Committee. Join these industry leaders with unique perspectives on the challenges and solutions: Alejandra Muller, Special Investigator at American Fidelity; Jake Monk, Partner at Shutts & Bowen, and Dori Farrey, Investigative Consultant at MassMutual.

Join our discussion on best practices of surveillance for disability and LTC in a post-COVID environment. Aimed at having a lively dialogue with panel members and attendees, come and discuss effective surveillance practices utilized by investigators and SIU members tin verifying a subject’s abilities and activities, particularly in a new and still changing post-COVID environment.

While predictive modeling has long been a useful tool at most insurers, stunning advances in artificial intelligence are dramatically changing the impact it can have on an organization. By using a neural network – which is a series of algorithms modeled after the human brain that can identify patterns, make predictions, and improve itself through experience – new AI systems specifically designed for claims organizations are able to analyze every claim, every day, 24/7. The AI uses natural language processing technology to understand all aspects of a claim – including medical and legal notes that can run hundreds of pages in length – and then map the information against 250,000 medical codes to understand diagnoses, relevant comorbidities, and expected recovery paths just like a medical expert. As a result, predictive modeling is no longer something that happens only periodically – or worse – ends up on a spreadsheet that busy teams never get a chance to operationalize. Instead, real time predictive insights that have 95 percent accuracy and are applied to tens of thousands of claims at once are placed in the hands of examiners and adjusters every day to help guide them to the actions that are most needed. Join Michael Saltzman, co-founder of EvolutionIQ, which invented AI-powered claims guidance, and Jason Hollis, claims director at Principal Financial, which has already deployed the AI platform in its disability block, as they give an overview of the power of predictive modeling for a non-technical audience.

Life Claims, compliance and legal have always been members of the same team to meet the ever-changing claim needs of our customers. Join us to discuss compliance and legal topics relevant to life claims like divorce, the beneficiary change process, lapse notices, remote notarizations, and DOI responses to name a few. We hope you join us for a very educational session.

Experienced life and disability insurance litigator will share insights on the legal requirements and implications of rescission of insurance contracts as well as practical considerations and pitfalls associated with rescissions.

Learn how to jump-start your automation journey! The claims process is reactive, manually driven, and dependent on the beneficiary. We will start with “Current state" pain points with death-claim data and “Future state" options for improving it. Then we’ll cover the key opportunities to automate portions of the claim process, while also discussing ways to stop and detect fraud. Finally, we’ll give you ideas on how to get started and build on it over time.

Interested in learning more about beneficiary disputes and how to manage them? Then this interactive session is for you. We will explore the world of beneficiaries and the problems that can arise related to trusts, non-responsive claimants, divorces, minors, and interpleaders.

According to Consumer Reports, 1 out of every 600 Americans is the beneficiary of an unclaimed life insurance benefit. Is your company doing enough to locate hard to find beneficiaries? This presentation will discuss techniques and resources to help you locate beneficiaries and fulfill your customers last wishes.

The handling of Contestable Claims has many moving parts, and every life insurance company handles these claims differently in one respect or another. In this session, we will present attendees with a variety of subjects and insights into the process of Contestable Claims. We will discuss what communications and various organizational set-ups look like, review state regulation impacts, and review some unique Contestable situations. The moderators will also survey the session registrants prior to the conference for topics they would like to discuss. We hope you will join us for an enlightening session and some good discussion.

It’s no secret that we’re currently in uncharted waters when it comes to navigating the challenges facing claim professionals today. Our panel of subject experts will guide you through the most critical elements of a life waiver & disability claim lifecycle, spotlighting how advanced digital automation technology is the “life raft” your team needs to overcome the seas of change, while unlocking valuable processing efficiencies, lowering costs, and driving better-informed return to work risk management decisions

Technology is rapidly advancing with the widespread use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) tools like ChatGPT. This session will explore the current technological landscape of artificial intelligence and any regulations that might exist regarding the use of artificial intelligence in life and disability claims.

From financial records to telematics, the amount of data we have available at our fingertips is astronomical. The problem is, we don’t know how to capitalize on all this data. As 2025 rapidly approaches, there will be a shift in how fraud investigations are conducted. Is your company poised for the technological hurdles that are just a few years away? Join me as we explore new technologies and discuss better ways to analyze data for fraud investigations, all while being mindful of claims expenses.

Gear up for a thrilling ride into the world of Long Term Care (LTC) and health claims fraud detection! Join the dynamic panelists Elaine, Jeff, and Paul as they share their latest experiences with the most innovative tools and technologies to combat fraudulent LTC / Health claims. This action-packed session will be 'fast and furious,' taking you through real-life case scenarios from the moment the potential fraud was first detected to case conclusion. Brace yourself for an energizing discussion on fraud mitigation, cutting-edge tools, and analytics that help take down the 'bad guys' in these real-life stories. You won't want to miss this exciting opportunity to learn and protect your business against costly fraud, waste, and abuse!

The burnout of caregiver and healthcare professionals is undeniable. Layer on the quiet quitting trend that has negatively impacted the business world, and we can all see the magnified impact this has on today’s insurance customers. Information needs to flow for claims to be reviewed and promptly paid. When the resources to process or evaluate this information are not available or disengaged, the bottleneck forms and customers are unhappy. Connect with panel members who will share different perspectives on these challenges and trends to help organizations overcome them with both people-based and innovative solutions.

Life Claim Industry leaders will provide an overview of how technology and data are enhancing and modernizing the Mortality Claims Journey and, at the same time, share data from a leading Life and Disability reinsurer on the impact of Mortality Pre to Post COVID.

LTC policies are typically purchased 20+years before they are utilized and benefit terms and conditions have evolved during those years without updated language. We will identify best practices in adjudicating claims with old policy language in today’s more complicated and advanced health care delivery system. Session principles will explore pricing, risk management and practical best practices that are geared at balancing the intent of the policy coverage and risk mitigation principles for the claimant today.

Are you mystified about Reinsurance? Join us to listen to our reinsurance panelists answering your questions, sharing what's new in North American reinsurance, plus other hot topics. No reinsurance knowledge is necessary. Feel free to pick our brains on all things reinsurance.

Please join us for this informative session which will provide updates on the latest impactful trends and developments in Disability claim litigation. The presenters include experienced litigators from the Northeast, Southeast and West Coast and will address cases from a wide spectrum of jurisdictions.

The integration of functional impairment as a critical component in managing long term care insurance and other activity of daily living driven products is essential in risk management. As a critical component of risk management, we will discuss management beyond acute care needs and focus on the whole person. This session will provide an overview on typical causes and diagnosis for the functional loss in LTC and other health products with examples of risk management principles: Using data that demonstrates reduced acute care needs when an individual has their functional needs met Identifies acute health conditions that are exacerbated with functional loss Describe the lessons learned from the disability market on the benefit of using Occupational Therapy as a key component of the treatment plan

This presentation will examine the alarming data revealing the rising incidence of liver related diseases and deaths. You will learn the impacts of Covid as it relates to the increasing incidence of alcoholic and fatty liver disease as well as the pathophysiology that explains the morbidity associated with liver cirrhosis. The presentation will illustrate how mortality data is a window into what we can expect in terms of its impact on the DI market. The presentation will promise to be engaging and allow time for Q and A.

Join us for the always-popular Advanced Life Claims Roundtable, where we answer your questions and provide an open forum for discussion of a variety of life claim topics. The speakers will solicit your questions ahead of the conference and this session will be designed around YOU and your biggest concerns. This session is a great way to learn new things and meet others within the industry.

Join us for part two of the always-popular Advanced Life Claims Roundtable, where we answer your questions and provide an open forum for discussion of a variety of life claim topics. The speakers will solicit your questions ahead of the conference and this session will be designed around YOU and your biggest concerns. This session is a great way to learn new things and meet others within the industry

Surf your way over to our Annuity Roundtable and join us for an invigorating discussion on issues affecting annuity claims. We will dive into some hot topics such as new laws affecting our claim handling and managing claims examiners when the waters get rough. See you there!

As consumers continue to search for choices for their health needs the growth of riders on life products is growing. During this session learn how the design features and administration of claims for Long Term Care, Chronic Riders and Critical Illness converge.

Experienced trial counsel will discuss best practices for responding to requests for deposition testimony on behalf of the company. Topics include: limiting the deposition notice, selecting the witness, the gathering of the documents, witness preparation, navigating the deposition itself, dealing with nasty opposing counsel, and more.

What are the biggest challenges you face in managing Musculoskeletal claims? Traditionally, the healthcare industry has relied on reactive models to treat MSK conditions, which can be costly. Industry experts will discuss prevention, treatment, and mental health factors to consider when adjudicating some of the more complex claims disability insurers face today.

This program will focus on the case law surrounding what is an accident within the confines of a life insurance policy and the relevant claim facts that warrant investigation.

In claim evaluation, there are many choices and options to be made by the claim analyst. The outcome of the claim is dependent on these options and the analysts’ choices determine the path to the decision. Our panel of claims, legal, financial and investigative experts invite you to join them in reviewing a claim scenario, choosing the path of evaluation and understanding how the choices made during a claim evaluation can enhance your knowledge and lead you to your decision.

The employment landscape has changed in our post-COVID world requiring disability insurers to think creatively about options for reintegrating claimants into the workforce. Join us for an interactive session where we will discuss new employment trends and opportunities to expand your return-to-work strategies. Bring your creative ideas to the group to share! While we learn from each other, we’ll all leave the session with some new approaches and insights to assist claimants in returning to a full life.

IBI invites you to join David Camp, former President, and current Chief Policy Officer at the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) to analyze the operational status and potential legislation affecting the SSA. Since 1979, NOSSCR has been providing continuing legal education to its thousands of members and public policy advocacy on behalf of its members and the people with disabilities they represent. The current SSA crossroads encompassing COVID-19, staff attrition, budget concerns, and an aging SSA workforce put the SSA in a situation where pending claims are rising, staff size is shrinking, and the disability industry is concerned. Explore the impact NOSSCR has helping disabled claimants get awarded faster, more efficiently and eliminating the unnecessary obstacles. Mr. Camp will offer a peek behind the curtain on how SSA policy is influenced and created and how NOSSCR works with lawmakers to advance policies while diving into potential government policies on the horizon. Mr. Camp will discuss pending legislation, the potential depletion of the OASI and look at what could be coming down the pipeline in the coming years.

Disability Roundtable Discussion: Join this interactive session to discuss questions and answers that are hotly debated in this industry, such as: True or MOO? What are Earnings? What the Fed? and Is that even Legal? In a mash up homage to favorite game shows Jeopardy and Family Feud, we’ll tackle these questions, seeking answers from the attendees and finding out which answers the “survey says” are most common, most popular and maybe even most accurate.

30 years after it was enacted, the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 is still misunderstood by many employers. The basics of the FMLA proved more complicated than anticipated, and employers report that it is now more difficult than in previous years to approve leaves and coordinate leave types, especially with the addition of numerous state family and medical leave programs. Join us for a deep dive into the FMLA and state leave programs. Our speakers will address the following areas: • Growth in absence management activity • FMLA and ADA fundamentals and compliance • State leave law overview • Outsourcing leave management

Join us for an interactive discussion on the challenges companies face when trying to pay out a trust as a beneficiary. Ever hear from a family stating they have never heard of that trust or that trust no longer exists? What happens if the family wants you to pay the beneficiaries stated in the trust directly. We will discuss all circumstances when paying out a benefit to a trust.

California’s 2013 Lapse Statutes have posed a challenge for regulators and carriers alike, exacerbated by the California Supreme Court’s 2021 decision making them applicable to all in-force policies regardless of issue date. For the last seven years, litigation on this issue has flooded federal and state courts in California, resulting in a patchwork of un-settled law, conflicting class certification decisions and individual trials. Christopher Frost of the Maynard Nexsen firm will provide an update on this ever-developing landscape drawing from the firm’s active role in many of these cases.

Please join the us for an interactive session that will cover a wide variety of topics surrounding unclaimed funds on Life and Annuity Claims. We will cover several topics surrounding the unclaimed funds process including but not limited to interest on escheatment, tax reporting of unclaimed funds, duration before escheatment, requirements to escheat funds and stale dated checks vs. claim proceeds and escheatment. This session will be more of a round table discussion with information sharing and group interaction. We look forward to a lively discussion!

While only a small fraction of disability claims end up in lawsuits, those that do have an impact on claims generally. This session will explore recent disability insurance lawsuits, the fact patterns in those lawsuits, the issues presented, and the outcome of the lawsuit. The discussion will invite participation by the claims professionals.

Join us for an engaging session that delves into the world of insurance claims and the power of partnerships across the value chain. This session will highlight the latest trends and strategies in leveraging reinsurance and insurtech partnerships to drive faster and more accurate claim adjudications and next-level claimant experiences. Explore real-life case studies that showcase successful partnerships and learn from the experiences of industry experts who have pioneered innovative approaches to claims management. Don't miss this opportunity to uncover new possibilities for transforming your operations through strategic collaborations and an unyielding focus on the customer.

Take a deep dive with our experts as we embark on a global journey to investigate and dissect international death claims. Through real-life case studies, we'll explore the unique challenges and complexities of conducting foreign death investigations, including identifying and uncovering fraudulent activity. With a focus on practical techniques and tools, you'll learn how to navigate cultural differences, language barriers, and legal complexities to uncover the truth behind these complex cases. Join us for a thought-provoking and informative session that will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct effective foreign death investigations and combat fraud across borders.

Selecting a technology project that can make a measurable impact is hard enough. Executing the project is even more difficult – and can often lead to well-meaning executives succumbing to tech fatigue. The obstacles are many: The substantial costs of the investment, the high failure rate, the need to augment proprietary carrier data with external data sources, nonlinear returns in which the last five percent of engineering effort produces the most value, the long time horizons required before prototypes can begin testing, the need for developing a robust framework of evaluating risk vs success across the full life cycle of the initiative, and how adoption by frontline users can be a major stumbling block if the software does not immediately perform as expected. Join these industry leaders with unique perspectives on the challenges and solutions: Rooney Gleason, Chief Insurance Officer at EvolutionIQ, the creator of AI-powered claims guidance technology; Heather Horter, who has decades of frontline deployment experience as Director, Process Management, for Prudential Financial; and Dylan Burian, who has line-of-sight into an array of different carrier experiences as Manager, Claims at Reinsurance Group of America. They’ll discuss how key performance indicators can be used to guide project teams to their desired future state, the steps leaders can take to create a business case for change, and the type of roadmap needed to ensure successful implementation and measurable results.

Case studies as seen through the lens of each of Claims, Legal, Reinsurance & Underwriting. Topics include suicide, underwriting error, claims error, fraud and STOLI. Come prepared for this lively discussion, no dancing required!

An operational overview of life and disability income insurance fraud along with tips and evidentiary issues that arise in fighting fraud. Topics will include how frauds are committed on these types of insurance policies, with case studies; red flags - indicators of possible insurance fraud; the role of the insurance company Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and regulatory reporting requirements; the potential risks of elder financial exploitation/abuse with insurance policies; Anti Money Laundering (AML) concerns with life insurance; possible outcomes of life insurance and disability income insurance fraud investigations. Discussion will also include the basic features of life insurance, waiver of premium riders, disability income insurance, future insurability options and business overhead insurance.