Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Lasman.
Hi Dana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Dana Lasman, professionally known as “Medicare Dana”. I specialize in Medicare and as an independent agent, I educate folks nationwide on the Medicare program and the options for coverage. I am passionate about educating our senior community and deeply grounded in ethics. My Company, JBird Insurance Group, is dedicated to my mom who passed away from cancer. From working as a social worker in the inner city of Chicago with children and adolescents to managing clinical trials globally to now living in Austin and helping seniors understand the Medicare program, empathy has always been a driving force behind my work. I owe this gift of empathy to my mom. I wish she were alive today to witness the impact she had on my career.
Throughout my experience as an advocate for my mom during her illness, I learned the ins and outs of her Medical coverage. Thanks to the particular Medicare plan she was enrolled in, all of her treatments: including hospitalizations, medications, durable medical equipment, and medical care, were covered. The realization that there are people who, on top of dealing with the emotional and financial stress of a loved one who is sick, must also worry about getting approval for necessary treatments or procedures, broke my heart. The more I researched the Medicare industry, it was gut wrenching to learn how uninformed and misguided seniors are about Medicare how targeted the senior population is, and the gaping need for ethical Medicare agents. My goal with JBird Insurance Group is to explain the Medicare program, educate seniors on their options for coverage, and serve as an advocate to protect the future health and wealth of my clients. Senior’s medical and financial security is directly tied to their Medicare plan.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Has it been easy? There are tough days, but it’s so rewarding. Being an entrepreneur is rarely a 9-5 gig. I live, eat, and breathe Medicare. My passion for serving the senior community comes from witnessing how often they are the targeted victims of scams or preyed upon with fear tactics or advertising campaigns intended to lead them astray. Many times, this results in a senior who is forced to deplete their retirement funds. I’m here to change all of that.
At times it can be overwhelming, lonely, or feel like an uphill climb, but difficult days don’t scare me. As I grow, I’m learning – learning how to manage my time and scale my business. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning! At the end of the day, I’m encouraged and motivated by an intrinsic need to do the right thing. And my definition of success isn’t necessarily tied to how large my agency grows it’s about helping seniors live their best lives – one where they’re in control of making informed decisions about their health and finances.
As you know, we’re big fans of JBird Insurance Group. What can you tell our readers who might not be as familiar with the brand?
In creating the name and logo for my company, I thought about how I wanted people to feel when they interacted with me and my brand. Ultimately, I wanted them to feel peaceful about their retirement. Tying my mom into the company, I thought about her nickname, J Bird, and combining it with my love of blue waters, I looked up the symbolism of the bird, Blue Jay.
Blue Jays are intelligent and fearless protectors who symbolize communication, curiosity, and safety. I teared up, and chills ran through my body as this perfectly depicted my mom. And that’s how JBird Insurance Group was formed. I hope all clients feel safe and protected from our comprehensive Medicare services. As further confirmation, something wild happened when I started the company. One day as I took my dog out to the same spot we always go, right in my front yard, I looked down to find a blue jay feather at my foot. And the next day, there was a second one. Mind you, I had never seen blue jay feathers prior and have not seen any since. Those two feathers are now framed behind my desk as a physical reminder of my purpose.
What set’s me apart from others is my focus on education and customer service. I provide customer service to my clients year long and am their point of contact for the entire time they are on Medicare. Through personal interactions, monthly newsletters, YouTube videos, Snail mail (), and social media posts, I provide the community and my clients with Medicare updates. I am passionate about sharing information and educating the community. Knowledge truly is power! Some of these government programs can be incredibly complex, and trying to research and understand them on your own can be overwhelming. And sadly, many practicing Medicare agents omit important information when explaining Medicare and don’t educate on all options. My hope is to break through the noise and serve as a trusted advocate far beyond the initial enrollment period.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.I’m not sure that luck has too much to do with it. I work hard, and I’m surrounded by many other inspiring entrepreneurs who do the same! Witnessing the success of other people – I network a lot – is so encouraging. It takes hard work, dedication, and commitment to succeed in life and business. I’m living that right now, every day.
Pricing:
- This is such an important part of my business! Working with me doesn’t cost anything. When I help someone find a Medicare plan that works for them, I am paid by the insurance companies. I advocate for educating seniors on how to use Medicare for their circumstances. Medicare is not free, to the surprise of many. Costs vary depending on circumstances and plan types. Medicare has rigid timelines and rules; if enrollment windows are missed, seniors can incur lifetime penalties. This makes it critical to talk with an expert like me and with ample time (we like to start the conversations at 64 years old) before turning 65.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://medicaredana.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medicaredana
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-lasman-medicare-benefits-specialist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVvxBNXaOvyPkH7R35RXXpw
