Sterling Life Insurance Company Lowers Premiums and Cost Sharing Amounts

Bellingham, WA - April 7, 2004 - - Sterling Life Insurance Company has announced changes to premiums and benefits for its Medicare Advantage Private Fee For Service plan, Sterling Option I^®. These changes come as a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, and will be in effect from March 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004.

Enrollees in all three Sterling Option I^® service areas will see a decrease in cost sharing for some services, as well as added coverage for a preventive annual physical. In Sterling Option I^® Service Area 2, premiums will decrease by 38% to $48 per month, and in Sterling Option I^® Service Area 3, premiums will decrease by 20% to $78 per month. For more information, call 1-888-858-8572.

Sterling Life Insurance Company, an A.M. Best A- (Excellent) rated company, is dedicated to providing a variety of affordable healthcare solutions to Medicare beneficiaries. Sterling is wholly owned by Combined Insurance Company of America. Both Sterling and Combined are subsidiaries of Aon Corporation. Aon Corporation is a holding company that is comprised of a family of insurance brokerage, consulting, and insurance underwriting subsidiaries.

Contacts:
Debbie Ahl
Aon - Olympic Health Management Services
360-647-9080

To learn more about Sterling and our vision for the future, contact a Sterling Representative @ 1-888-858-8546 or contact us via our Contact Page.