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Precision Senior Marketing is now a national distributor of the new Stonebridge Life Medicare Supplement product. Scheduled for release in several states, this product is now available for agent contracting and will be released to the public in April 2012.

Austin, TX January 20th, 2012 -- Precision Senior Marketing (PSM), a national Medicare Broker, announced today that it is now distributing the Stonebridge Life Medicare Supplement product. Scheduled for a broad release, Stonebridge Medicare Supplement brings the financial stability and national brand recognition of the Stonebridge name, to the senior market.

"This is one of the most prominent Medicare product release in years," says PSM President Lucas Vandenberg. "PSM is honored to be a distributor of Stonebridge Med Supp, which we believe will be highly sought after by senior market insurance agents throughout the country."

Stonebridge Life Insurance Company is a Transamerica company with more than 20 markets in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Currently, Stonebridge Life covers over 3.7 million consumers with a variety of life, health, accident, dental, and now Medicare Supplement insurance plans. They offer quality products with quick response times as well as courteous and dependable service.

"Stonebridge Life is a trusted name in the insurance industry and I am excited about presenting this product to my senior clients," says PSM agent Steve Wilson. "That trust factor, in combination with competitive premiums, is why I anticipate a fantastic reception across the country."

PSM encourages independent insurance agents to visit its website and/or call 1-800-998-7715 to learn more about the new Stonebridge Life Med Supp product.

Located in Austin, Texas, Precision Senior Marketing, LLC is a full-service, national insurance marketing organization dedicated to recruiting, servicing, and supporting the best senior market insurance agents in the United States. You can visit their website at www.psmbrokerage.com.

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This week the federal government released a projected savings of $148 billion dollars over the next 10 years by increasing Medicare eligibility by two years to age 67 by 2021. This is lower than the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) March estimate of $162 billion, however that calculation did not include premiums paid by seniors into the program. Even though the savings will not significantly affect the budget deficit, they will be able to pay for “doc fix”; a permanent pay raise legislated by Congress for Medicare doctors every year with the proposed money accumulated by raising the eligibility age.

President Obama supports increasing Medicare’s eligibility whereas most Democrats in Congress are against it. Some of the CBO’s findings warn that raising the eligibility age may lead to more people applying for Medicaid, therefore receiving lower quality care and paying more out-of-pocket than they would on Medicare.

However on the positive side, those between 65 and 67 who need private health insurance could have better access to doctors. This is especially true if Obama’s healthcare law remains in place. Seniors would have access to private coverage though the new insurance exchanges.

The CBO also found that increasing the Social Security age in two-month increments for those born between 1949 and 1960 will save an additional $144 billion. However, increasing the Social Security eligibility age has remained politically untouchable by both parties in the 112th Congress.

Please give us your feedback!
What do you think about the proposal to increase the Medicare eligibility year from 65 to 67? How will that affect your Medicare Supplement business? What is your opinion on the decision to propose increase the age of eligibility for Medicare rather than Social Security?

Source: The Hill

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With the holidays and AEP just ending now is the time we usually resolve to better our lives in the following year. For most people the resolutions involve weight loss, exercise, and smoking. However the same tactics used to better your health can be applied toward your business. As you plan your 2012 goals and resolutions it’s important to keep a few things in mind to keep yourself on track. This way, come March, you will still be on track for success and not be back to the old habits your resolutions were created to combat.

1. Set a specific goal.
   Rather than saying, “I want to have more clients” try asking yourself, “who, what, when, and where” in order to establish a plan. Who is your target audience? What new things are you going to try in order to obtain new clients? How many clients do you want to gain a month? Which areas are you going to prospect in? When you drill down the specifics of your goal you will be on your way to keeping yourself accountable to your success.
   
   
2. Set both short-term and long-term goals.
   The key to attainable goals is to set up both short-term and long-term goals. If you are looking to gain more referrals this year decide not only on how many for the year, but also take into consideration the quarter, the month, and the week. Breaking it down by week, ask yourself what specifically you are going to do this week toward gaining more referrals. Through trial and error you will establish a weekly system that works for you and the long-term goals you have for your business.
   
   
3. Make realistic goals
   It’s ambitious to say that you will make 500 cold calls a week, but remember to take into consideration how many cold calls you have made in the past. If it is significantly less, commit to cold calling 100 people with a goal to reach 500 at first. Once you find it easy to reach 100, expand it to 150 with increasing intervals toward 500. An ambitious goal is great to have, but be sure to allow yourself the time to reach it without getting frustrated and giving up.
   
   
4. Establish accountability.
   Human nature dictates that we will go to great lengths to avoid pain no matter how valid the threat. This morphs itself into excuses, such as “I don’t have enough time” or “I’m tired”, in order to avoid the actions you perceive as painful. In order to establish accountability toward your goals set up a series of consequences for yourself that seem more painful than doing the activity you are trying to avoid. Telling your business partner you’ll give him $5,000 if you do not accomplish a specific goal in a realistic timeframe can be a great motivator, especially in times when your resolutions feel like a thing of the past.

As you come up with your resolutions for the year remember to keep them specific, establish a short-term focus toward long-term goals, make realistic commitments that go with your schedule, and hold yourself accountable by creating consequences. Once you break the cycle of losing interest in your resolutions you will feel more confident making grander changes in the future. If you'd like help coming up with resolutions for 2012, please call your marketer at 1-800-998-7715 to discuss the options that are best suited for your business growth.

Please give us your feedback!
What business resolutions have you made for 2012? Have you been able to keep resolutions in the past? If so, what tips do you have for others?

Source: LifeHealthPro

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