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Creating Evidence-Based Ratings and Life Expectancies Medical Impairments
Journal of Insurance Medicine (New York, N.Y.)
|June 17, 2026
Summary
This study shows how to use survival and mortality curves from medical literature to calculate Medical Impairment Manual (MIM) ratings and life expectancy estimations for accurate risk selection.
Area of Science:
- Medical statistics
- Actuarial science
- Risk assessment
Background:
- Accurate risk selection is crucial for profitability in insurance and financial sectors.
- Evidence-based survival data is essential for underwriting and actuarial assessments.
- Existing medical literature contains valuable survival and mortality information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a practical method for deriving Medical Impairment Manual (MIM) ratings.
- To illustrate how to estimate life expectancies using medical literature data.
- To provide a framework for evidence-based survival information utilization in risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Identifying and extracting relevant survival and/or mortality curves from medical literature.
- Applying graphical analysis techniques to interpret these curves.
- Calculating Medical Impairment Manual (MIM) ratings based on curve data.
- Estimating remaining life expectancies from the derived data.
Main Results:
- A systematic approach to quantify survival data from graphical representations.
- The ability to generate specific MIM ratings for various medical impairments.
- Quantifiable life expectancy estimations derived directly from illustrated medical data.
- Demonstrated feasibility of using published curves for actuarial calculations.
Conclusions:
- Medical literature curves are a viable source for calculating MIM ratings and life expectancies.
- This method enhances the accuracy and evidence-based nature of risk selection.
- The approach offers a practical tool for actuaries and underwriters to improve profitability.
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