LGBTQ+ Considerations for Employer-Based Health Benefit Designs
Background and Research Objective
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute (SOA) Diversity Equity and Inclusion Strategic Research Program studies issues that are unique to various dimensions of U.S. population diversity on topics that are relevant to actuarial practice. The research program would like to explore considerations within the LGBTQ+ community that could impact the design of employer-based health insurance and other benefits, with a focus on meeting the specific needs of LGBTQ+ employees.
As a result, the SOA is seeking researchers to identify insights through data analysis that can inform the design of employer-based health insurance and other benefit programs, especially with respect to individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. One possible dataset to analyze is the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset. Additional or other datasets may be used subject to SOA approval.
The following topics ideally would be addressed to the extent that they have not been addressed recently in the literature, and additional topics to be identified by the researcher or in collaboration with the SOA are welcome for consideration:
- Adherence to preventative health care (specific preventative care to be selected collaboratively by the researcher and the SOA).
- Engagement in high-risk behaviors (specific behaviors to be selected collaboratively by the researcher and the SOA).
- Relationship with a primary health care provider and confidence in the provider’s knowledge and sensitivity to unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ population.
- Correlation of the items above with:
- Any of the other items above
- General health status, physical health status, and mental health status
- Prevention from doing usual activities, including absenteeism at work
- How many care for others? How does that affect the big questions above?
Note that the list above is not meant to be exhaustive; additional topics are welcome, and one or more topics above may be excluded if the data is found to be insufficient.
The report summarizing and documenting the work should show results separately for subpopulations identified by sexual orientation and also subdivided by additional demographic categories to be identified in collaboration with the researcher. Likely additional demographic categories could include age, geographic regions, urbanicity, education, veteran status, family status, employment status, and income level.
Proposal Requirements
To facilitate the evaluation of proposals, the following information should be submitted:
- Resumes of the researcher(s), including any graduate student(s) expected to participate, indicating how their background, education and experience bear on their qualifications to undertake the research. If more than one researcher is involved, a single individual should be designated as the lead researcher and primary contact. The person submitting the proposal must be authorized to speak on behalf of all the researchers as well as for the firm or institution on whose behalf the proposal is submitted.
- An outline of the approach to be used (e.g. literature search, model, etc.), emphasizing issues that require special consideration. Details should be given regarding the techniques to be used, collateral material to be consulted, and possible limitations of the analysis.
- A description of the expected deliverables and any supporting data, tools or other resources.
- Cost estimates for the research, including computer time, salaries, report preparation, material costs, etc. Such estimates can be in the form of hourly rates, but in such cases, time estimates should also be included. Any guarantees as to total cost should be given and will be considered in the evaluation of the proposal. While cost will be a factor in the evaluation of the proposal, it will not necessarily be the decisive factor.
Please note that as a policy, the SOA Research Institute generally does not provide funding to cover academic institution overhead expenses.
As a guide for developing the project budget, please review the Historical Project Cost Guide (see Appendix) - A schedule for completion of the research, identifying key dates or time frames for research completion and report submissions. The SOA is interested in completing this project in a timely manner. Suggestions in the proposal for ensuring timely delivery, such as fee adjustments, are encouraged.
- Other related factors that give evidence of a proposer's capabilities to perform in a superior fashion should be detailed.
Selection Process
The SOA will appoint a Project Oversight Group (POG) to oversee the project. The POG is responsible for recommending the proposal to be funded. Input from other knowledgeable individuals also may be sought, but the POG will make the final recommendation, subject to SOA leadership approval. An SOA staff research actuary will provide staff actuarial support.
Questions
Any questions regarding this RFP should be directed to Research-DEI@soa.org.
Notification of Intent to Submit Proposal
If you intend to submit a proposal, please email a brief, written notification by Friday, September 6, 2024, to Research-DEI@soa.org and include a link to this Request for Proposals.
Submission of Proposal
Please email your proposal to Research-DEI@soa.org; proposals must be received no later than Monday, September 16, 2024. It is anticipated that all proposers will be informed of the status of their proposal by the end November 2024.
Conditions
The selection of a proposal is conditioned upon and not considered final until a Letter of Agreement is executed by both the SOA and the researcher.
The SOA reserves the right to not award a contract for this research. Reasons for not awarding a contract could include, but are not limited to, a lack of acceptable proposals or a finding that insufficient funds are available. The SOA also reserves the right to redirect the project as is deemed advisable.
The SOA plans to hold the copyright to the research and to publish the results with appropriate credit given to the researcher(s).
The SOA may choose to seek public exposure or media attention for the research. By submitting a proposal, you agree to cooperate with the SOA in publicizing or promoting the research and responding to media requests.
The SOA may also choose to market and promote the research to members, candidates and other interested parties. You agree to perform promotional communication requested by the SOA, which may include, but is not limited to, leading a webcast on the research, presenting the research at an SOA meeting, and/or writing an article on the research for an SOA newsletter.
Conflict of Interest
You agree to disclose any of your material business, financial and organizational interests and affiliations which are or may be construed to be reasonably related to the interest, activities and programs of the SOA.
Appendix: Historical Project Cost Guide
The cost ranges below are intended as a guide for budgeting project costs for proposals in response to SOA Research Institute Request for Proposals (RFPs). Please note these figures span the 33rd to 66th percentiles for all types of projects as well as projects that involve a specific approach (lit review, survey, etc.). They are based on historical costs over several recent years. Expected costs for some RFPs may fall outside these ranges depending on the nature of the work and resources required for completion.
All Contracted Projects
This category includes all contracted projects that the Institute has undertaken within the last several years.
The 33rd-66th percentile project costs range is $25,000 - $50,000.
Literature Reviews
This category includes projects that involved only a literature review or the cost for the portion of a larger project that included a literature review.
The 33rd-66th percentile project costs range is $15,000 - $20,000.
Surveys
This category includes all projects that had a survey as their primary component.
The 33rd-66th percentile project costs range is $28,000 - $55,000.