Question for Health Care Actuaries

[Bonhomme]

I am a young health care practicioner with an undergraduate degree in mathematics. I had considered a career as an actuary at one time and would be curious to know if there are opportunities in the profession that could make use of an education in health care as well.

I look forward to your response(s).

[Dr T Non-Fan]

There is reoom for everyone who can pass exams. I don't think the major is that important with exams.
So [insert standard response], pass some exams and get back to us.

Before you slink off, though, what do you mean by "health care practitioner"? Doctor? Nurse? Pharmacist's assistant? durable medical equipment delivery person?

[Bonhomme]

Thanks for the reply. I am a dentist. I am interested in knowing if this background would go unused if one was to go the actuary route.

[hopper]

I just do not get it--------the desire to switch, that is.

[Samir]

Originally Posted by hopper

I just do not get it--------the desire to switch, that is.

Green grass outside of the dental office.

[Gretchen]

How much your background is helpful would depend someone on what you ended up doing. Being a dentist, I would think in particular that your background would be helpful in dental insurance (surprise, surprise!). I would especially think it would be helpful in product development, but also in pricing and evaluation of experience.

There are other areas in health insurance companies where your background would also come in handy, but those are the specific areas I can think of that are generally staffed by actuaries.

[Bonhomme]

Thanks Gretchen for the information, that is helpful.

[Maine-iac]

If your background is dental, and you're not trying to necessarily get away from that, you might check out Delta Dental once you have an exam or two under your belt. Dental insurance is often a small sideline for health carriers, but its the big deal at Delta.

[USCanuck]

I believe that large Dental carriers like Delta hire dentists to help with medical management etc, reviewing files, approving treatment plans. Not actuarial, but might be a good middle ground.