Anemia Resource Hub
What’s new - Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor (PitNET)
WELCOME | UPDATE | MEET THE TEAM | RESOURCES
RESOURCES
UNDERWRITING
The Respiratory System
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Anemia
RGA's comprehensive guide for underwriting anemia has been updated. Explore the latest advancements in anemia's impact on insurance practices.
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Welcome
I'm Rebecca Abayakoon, Head of Global Underwriting Philosophy Design at RGA. With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry and a background in global underwriting, I'm excited to share some important updates with you.
These changes reflect our commitment to providing you with the most current and effective tools for your underwriting needs. This quarter, the resource hub features updated underwriting guidelines for anemia.
Additionally, we've made updates to the underwriting guidelines on pulmonary nodule, autism spectrum disorder, gastritis, and bicuspid aortic valve.
RGA is committed to providing you with the tools needed to make informed and effective underwriting decisions. Please reach out if we can provide further resources to support your team’s success.
RESOURCES
New Update
For more information on these updates, log in to the Global Underwriting Manual.
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Meet our expert
Akhilesh Pandey
Associate Director - Global Underwriting, Manual Research
Rebecca Abayakoon
Executive Director, Global Underwriting Manuals, Research, and Development
CONTACT US: For further information or to connect with your regional contact, email GUMHelp@rgare.com
Rebecca Abayakoon
Head of Global Underwriting Philosophy Design
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As Executive Director, Global Underwriting Manuals, Research and Development, Rebecca Abayakoon is responsible for leading the research team that advances RGA’s competitive position through strategic content development in the underwriting manual. Prior to joining RGA in 2010, Rebecca worked with several companies, including SCOR Global Life and XL Re Ltd. With more than 20 years of underwriting development expertise with manuals, Rebecca has global experience working with audits, in-depth research, and complex cases. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Commerce degree in commercial law and management from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She is a member of the Fellow Academy of Life Underwriting and is a recognized Certified Insurance Professional by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
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Rebecca Abayakoon
Executive Director, Global Underwriting Manuals, Research, and Development
Akhilesh Pandey is Associate Director of Underwriting Research and Manual Development and a member of RGA’s Global Underwriting team. Akhilesh develops and publishes research-based underwriting guidelines for RGA's Global Underwriting Manual for Mortality and Morbidity benefits. Akhilesh also writes and shares internal and external communication materials related to the manual and provides training to RGA offices on various medical and non-medical underwriting topics. Akhilesh earned his FALU and FLMI designations in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from NCRD Sterling Institute of Pharmacy in Mumba
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Akhilesh Pandey
Associate Director - Global Underwriting, Manual Research
UNDERWRITING
The ABCs of PFTs
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UNDERWRITING
Take a Breather: Common Lung Diseases
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Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells or of hemoglobin that affects up to one-quarter of the world’s population. While anemia is a common impairment, it is often asymptomatic and may go undetected. A basic knowledge of physiology, along with consistent analysis of blood test results, can identify the type of anemia and can aid in determining whether there is a mortality risk. In this presentation, Dr. Duckett explains the root causes of anemia and how four key CBC indices can be useful in its identification.
Presentation time: 14:51 mins
spark:
Underwriting Anemia
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WELCOME
UPDATES
MEET THE TEAM
RESOURCES
Sushama Singh
Chief Manager - Research and Manual Development
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As Chief Manager, Sushama Singh spearheads underwriting research and the content development of RGA's Global Underwriting Manual. She holds degrees in Medicine and Law from Mumbai University and an ALMI designation by LOMA. With 18 years of underwriting experience, Sushama has expertise in handling high-net-worth cases, product development, reinsurance treaty discussions, underwriting manual governance and interpreting treadmill tests (TMT) and ECGs.
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Sushama Singh
Chief Manager - Research and Manual Development
UNDERWRITING
The Lymphatic System
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UNDERWRITING
The Multiple Personas of Lymphomas:
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claims
Lymphoma and Leukemia
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Global Underwriting Hub Q2
This module of our explore series offers an overview of the components and functionality of blood in the human body.
explore courses are designed for entry level and junior underwriting staff (0-5 years experience)
Estimated Completion Time: 25-35 minutes
explore:
The Blood
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Participants in this course will gain a thorough understanding of how to:
Explain the utility of blood tests in the underwriting context
Identify the blood tests commonly used in mandatory and discretionary underwriting
Recognize the purpose of blood tests often seen in clinical medical records
Identify the types of abnormalities that are commonly detected using blood tests and the broad implications of each
accelerate courses are designed for senior underwriting staff (7+ years experience). Estimated Completion Time: 100-120 minutes
accelerate:
Blood Tests
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RGA’s Akhilesh Pandey offers insights and practical guidance on anemia to enhance your underwriting decisions.
Comprehensive guidance for underwriting anemia
RGA recognizes the insurance industry’s opportunity to drive improvements in mental health inclusion, delivery, and support. Our 2023 Global Mental Health Survey revealed the urgent need for collective industry action – one that champions advocacy, education, and research.
Advancing Mental Health
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Explore updated underwriting guidelines for asthma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Notable updates to asthma underwriting guidelines include a competitive risk classification table and new research-based recommendations for both mortality and morbidity benefits. For Hodgkin lymphoma, you’ll find expanded rating tables, risk classification guidance based on the Ann Arbor Staging System, insights on etiology, and more.
Explore the hub
Asthma and Lymphoma
Unlock the complexities of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with RGA's Neuroendocrine Tumor Resource Hub. Designed for underwriters seeking to enhance their risk assessment capabilities, this comprehensive guide offers expert insights into the intricacies of these rare but impactful tumors. From diagnostic criteria to treatment outcomes, our hub equips you with the knowledge to make informed underwriting decisions, ensuring precision and confidence in evaluating cases involving pituitary neuroendocrine tumors.
Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)
Explore the hub
Other Recent Topic Updates
As Executive Director, Global Underwriting Manuals, Research and Development, Rebecca Abayakoon is responsible for leading the research team that advances RGA’s competitive position through strategic content development in the underwriting manual. Prior to joining RGA in 2010, Rebecca worked with several companies, including SCOR Global Life and XL Re Ltd. With more than 20 years of underwriting development expertise with manuals, Rebecca has global experience working with audits, in-depth research, and complex cases. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Commerce degree in commercial law and management from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She is a member of the Fellow Academy of Life Underwriting and is a recognized Certified Insurance Professional by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
close
Rebecca Abayakoon
Executive Director, Global Underwriting Manuals, Research, and Development
As Chief Manager, Sushama Singh spearheads underwriting research and the content development of RGA's Global Underwriting Manual. She holds degrees in Medicine and Law from Mumbai University and an ALMI designation by LOMA. With 18 years of underwriting experience, Sushama has expertise in handling high-net-worth cases, product development, reinsurance treaty discussions, underwriting manual governance and interpreting treadmill tests (TMT) and ECGs.
Akhilesh Pandey is Associate Director of Underwriting Research and Manual Development and a member of RGA’s Global Underwriting team. Akhilesh develops and publishes research-based underwriting guidelines for RGA's Global Underwriting Manual for Mortality and Morbidity benefits. Akhilesh also writes and shares internal and external communication materials related to the manual and provides training to RGA offices on various medical and non-medical underwriting topics. Akhilesh earned his FALU and FLMI designations in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy from NCRD Sterling Institute of Pharmacy in Mumba
close
Akhilesh Pandey
Associate Director - Global Underwriting, Manual Research
CONTACT US: For further information or to connect with your regional contact, email GUMHelp@rgare.com
RGA’s Akhilesh Pandey offers insights and practical guidance on anemia to enhance your underwriting decisions.
Meet our expert