Virginia Senate committee approves bills banning health mandates

The full Virginia Senate will now debate whether state residents will be held to possible federal mandates on health insurance after a series of bills passed the chamber’s commerce and labor committee.  Read Story

Former CIGNA chairman, CEO elected to Marsh board of directors

H. Edward Hanway, fresh off his retirement from health insurer CIGNA, was elected to the board of directors for Marsh & McLennan Co.  Read Story

Md. judge calls Pa. man’s insurance fraud ‘one of the dumbest things’

A Philadelphia, Pa., man received a five-year suspended sentence and 18 months of probation for his part in a staged armed robbery, including shooting a relative, orchestrated to help his cousin access workers’ compensation benefits.  Read Story

Restitution payments to drive N.Y. psychiatrist’s jail time for fraud

A New York psychiatrist could face a maximum of 15 years in prison or as little as one year, depending on how much of his court-ordered restitution he pays in the next few months stemming from his conviction from Medicaid fraud.   Read Story

Ga. insurance firm employee accused of taking $1 million from employer

The former bookkeeper of a Dalton, Ga., insurance company faces federal charges of mail fraud and bank fraud for allegedly stealing $1 million from her employer for personal expenses, including trips to Disney World, New York and Washington, D.C.  Read Story

N.J. firm defends loss of contract over political contributions

A New Jersey insurance agency is defending its “impeccable reputation” after losing a $194,000 contract with the City of Trenton over contributions to mayoral and city council candidates.  Read Story

Federal court approves 401(k) settlement involving Hartford Life

A federal court in Connecticut has approved a partial settlement in a class-action civil suit involving the handling of 401(k) plans by Hartford Life Insurance Co.  Read Story

Study: One in four Americans in favor of health care reform

Only one quarter of Americans support the current health reform legislation proposed in Washington, D.C., according to a new study by LIMRA, with a majority of poll respondents say they are pleased with their current coverage.  Read Story

Insphere launches its national insurance distribution network

Six months ago, Insphere Insurance Solutions announced plans to become the largest independent career agent distribution group. On Jan. 21, the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas-based company announced it has commenced operations with a force of 2,200 agents and offices in more than 40 states.  Read Story

What do you say when you get on the phone with your new referral prospects? Here’s a template from which you can base your own script. If you’re serious about refining your current phone script, I think you’ll find it particularly helpful to read this column a few times and then craft your own new script that fits your situation. Since I believe the best referral is an introduction, we’ll assume that in this sample script.  Read Story