Industry knowledge

[Lucid]

I'm new to the health insurance field (my first job after getting my undergrad is an actuarial student in the health management practice of a large consulting firm), and wondering what (if any) are the best resources to get a handle on the industry at large. I'm interested in reading up on forms of health insurance (EPO, POS,...), consumer-driven healthcare, trends in healthcare and/or health insurance, commentary on the current healthcare system and health insurance system, recent legislation (FSAs, adding Rx to Medicare,...), topics specific to actuarial science (IBNRs, trend,...), etc. I'd really love to find a decent book or two that I could get on Amazon.com, but I'm sure that more recent issues might be better covered in periodicals. Good internet resources would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

SOA web site has a library of stuff said at SOA meetings. The search engine stinks a load, and there seems to be no other page there that provides an easier finding method. And all the real good stuff is not available.
Ask your boss for past issues of the "Health Section News" (also available in the library or under "sections"), and "The Actuary," which sometimes devotes an issue to health issues.
Ask your boss for everything he has. Chances are he knows something about the field in which he practices, and most likely, he didn't think up any of it himself. (Note: not assuming boss is male; just saving space and time typing.)

[Polly Nomial]

In addition, I would decide who the big players are in your state and then go to the state department of insurance and see what they have on file from those companies. Most, if not all, states require that forms be filed. Some states require rate filings.

[Patience]

Also look at industry meetings. Not just SOA, such as Limra.
Read the papers, there is a lot going on now. If your company is an HIAA member there are many resources of information. Plus the HCFA website. and many independent sites