Kidney Disorders
What’s new - Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor (PitNET)
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Learning Gateway Resources
Proteinuria
RGA's comprehensive guide for reviewing the updated underwriting guidelines for Proteinuria.
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The latest updates to RGA’s Global Underwriting Manual are now available.
This quarter, the resource hub features updated underwriting guidelines for Proteinuria and Chronic Glomerulonephritis. These guidelines reflect the latest research-based insights for comprehensive and enhanced risk stratification for accurate risk assessment.
The new guidelines are not only more competitive, but also user-friendly. One notable change is that trace proteinuria is now accepted for living benefits without any loading, which is a significant improvement. Additionally, for chronic glomerulonephritis, instead of declining all living benefits outright, the guidelines now allow terms to be offered for several commonly reported sub-types of glomerulonephritis. Another important enhancement is that most “refer to MD” decisions have either been eliminated or replaced with alternative rating decisions for both topics to simplify the underwriting process further.
We have also added new courses to our Learning Gateway section, expanding access to our educational offerings.
RGA is committed to providing you with the tools you need to make confident, well-informed underwriting decisions. Be sure to explore our additional resource hubs to further support your team’s success.
New Update
For more information on these updates, log in to the Global Underwriting Manual.
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Akhilesh Pandey
Associate Director Global Underwriting, Manual Research
CONTACT US: For further information or to connect with your regional contact, email GUMHelp@rgare.com.
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
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This module of our explore series offers an overview of the components and functionality of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
explore: The Urinary System
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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
Global Underwriting Hub Q2
Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria (Part 1 and 2)
These watch webinars were originally presented by Dr. Maryam Shapland in 2021 as part of ReFresh, a quarterly series of 30-minute webinars hosted by the RGA U.S. Medical team.
watch: Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria
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Abnormal Urines
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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 Mumbai.
Empowering underwriters with cutting-edge knowledge
Explore the important and growing world of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in ReFlections. HSCT is the standard of care for many hematological malignancies and has found new utility in the treatment of immunological and hereditary conditions.
The Rise of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
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RGA's Dr. Maryam B. Shapland, Vice President and Medical Director, U.S. Mortality Markets, explores reactive thrombocytosis, a condition associated with higher mortality in acutely ill patients, in Reflections and also in On the Risk, the Journal of the Academy of Life Underwriting.
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Reactive Thrombocytosis: A Benign Entity?
This module has been created to support claims assessors in both identifying and managing substance misuse in a mental health disability claim setting.
Mental Health Claims: Managing the Impact of Substance Misuse
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More resources from RGA
CONTACT US: For further information or to connect with your regional contact, email Learning@rgare.com.
Diana Myers
Executive Director, Global Underwriting Education
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Miriam de Jonge
Head of Global Underwriting Education
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Sushama Singh
Chief Manager - Research and Manual Development
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Meet the Learning Gateway team
Diana Myers is the Executive Director, Global Underwriting Education at RGA. After a brief stint in merchandising, she found her true calling in training and instructional design, and for more than 30 years, she has developed courses on everything from managerial soft skills to understanding genetics in insurance. Diana has been with RGA for more than 12 years. An eLearning designer and developer, she focuses on adult learning principles as she strives to create courses that respect each learner’s experience.
Diana served as the chair of the St. Louis Articulate Storyline Special Interest Group for more than five years and is a regular contributor on Articulate’s e-Learning Heroes community. She is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.
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Diana Myers
Executive Director, Global Underwriting Education
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
Miriam’s career spanned 20 years with the Australian life insurance market in a variety of underwriting and claims roles with both direct carriers and reinsurers. She began her career at RGA in the Australia office as Technical Underwriting Manager before joining the International Division to support RGA’s Asia Pacific region and to develop an underwriting training platform (which became the industry-leading Learning Gateway).
Among other certifications, Miriam holds a Bachelor of Commerce (accounting) with honors, from Deakin University, Warrnambool. She is a founding Senior Associate of the Australian Underwriting Claims Association (ALUCA), and a Fellow of the Academy of Life Underwriting (FALU). She has been an active member of various underwriting and training-related industry associations throughout her career.
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Miriam de Jonge
Head of Global Underwriting Education
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Alcohol Consumption and Liver Disease
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spark video
The Spectrum of Substance Misuse and Addiction
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spark video
Developments in Liver Testing
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spark video
GGT Beyond the Liver
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build course
Liver Disorders
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explore course
The Liver
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watch webinar
Liver Function Tests: What to Look for and Why
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watch webinar
Pearls on Underwriting Liver Disease
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watch webinar
Liver Diseases in Life Insurance
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watch webinar
Let’s Process Liver Function Tests
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watch webinar
Substance Use Disorder
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watch webinar
Alcohol and Marijuana – Impact on Life Claims
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John Cardus
Vice President, Head of Underwriting Manual Development
Global Underwriting Manual
Learning Gateway features 12 comprehensive modules specifically focused on alcohol and substance abuse, providing in-depth knowledge on these critical topics. Beyond these specialized modules, we invite you to sign into our RGA Central portal and click the Learning Gateway tile to explore our extensive library of over 375 resources tailored specifically for underwriters and claims assessors. These resources cover a wide range of topics and are designed to enhance your professional knowledge, improve decision-making skills, and keep you updated on industry trends.
Explore all of our resource hubs
Learning Gateway
RGA recognizes the insurance industry’s opportunity to drive improvements in mental health inclusion, delivery, and support. Review our 2023 Global Mental Health Survey that reveals the urgent need for collective industry action – one that champions advocacy, education, and research.
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Advancing Mental Health in Insurance
This hub empowering underwriters with cutting-edge knowledge. RGA's comprehensive guide for underwriting NETs has been updated. Explore the latest advancements in NET management and their impact on insurance practices.
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Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)
Liver Function Test (LFT) Calculator reinforces our global underwriting philosophy design, applying expert, data‑driven insights to support sound underwriting decisions. These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to transforming evidence-based research into clear, easy-to-use guidance which reduce complexity and improve decision making clarity in day-to- day underwriting.
Liver Function Test
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Learn to navigate the complexities of underwriting coronary artery disease. Review RGA’s updated guide for underwriting coronary artery disease. Learn about key changes including new screening modalities, ratings, risk factors, and guidance on decline criteria.
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Coronary Artery Disease
Understand the comprehensive guidance for underwriting guidelines for alcohol consumption. Access industry-leading expertise on alcohol consumption underwriting, and risk assessment. Explore our comprehensive resource hub for insurance professionals seeking innovative solutions.
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Alcohol Consumption
Learning Gateway resources
More resources from RGA
Underwriting Liver Function Tests Using a Data-Driven Approach
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Reactive Thrombocytosis: A Benign Entity?
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Rebecca Abayakoon
Head of Global Underwriting Philosophy Design
Review the latest asthma underwriting guidelines that feature updated information for accurate risk assessment. Also review, the updated guidelines for Hodgkin lymphoma. This includes expanded rating tables, risk classification guidance, and insights on etiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment toxicity.
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Asthma and Hodgkin Lymphoma
FAQs
This webinar was originally presented as part of ReFresh, a quarterly series of 30-minute webinars hosted by the RGA U.S. Medical team.
Location: United States
Speaker: Dr. Preeti Dalawari
webinar: Let's Process Liver Function Tests
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Discover RGA's cutting-edge approach to blood disorders. Access industry-leading expertise on leukopenia and neutropenia underwriting, and risk assessment. Explore our comprehensive resource hub for insurance professionals seeking innovative solutions.
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Blood Disorder
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Glomerulonephritis
RGA's comprehensive guide for reviewing the updated underwriting guidelines for Glomerulonephritis.
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FAQs
New Update
Abnormal Urines (Part 1 and 2)
These watch webinars were originally presented by Dr. John Lefebre in 2020 as part of the UK Webinar Series presented by medical experts to address common day-to-day underwriting challenges faced by both new and experienced underwriters.
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Urine Tests
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This course in our accelerate series for senior underwriting staff (7+ years’ experience) covers the types, purposes, utility, and implications of urine tests frequently seen in mandatory and discretionary underwriting contexts.