North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is proud to announce a joint venture with High Point University that allows college students to earn “real life” work experience and college credit while also benefitting North Carolinian's seniors with their Medicare coverage.
Over the course of the next month, High Point University Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy students will counsel Medicare recipients in an effort to help them choose the best plan at the lowest cost. All of this will take place through the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
The new certified elective course allows students to become counselors through North Carolina Department of Insurance's Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program or SHIIP.
Two weeks into the enrollment period, there are 26 students who have signed up and are gaining college credit by reviewing Medicare Part D plans for beneficiaries to help them find the best prescription drug coverage.
"I'm excited that college students are taking an interest in helping seniors in our community. It's a win-win scenario,” said Commissioner Causey. “This is a great opportunity for young folks to gain real life experience while also helping seniors during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which can be a very confusing and expensive time."
This is the first year that SHIIP has partnered with HPU to offer the certification course. Currently, students have helped more than 100 seniors.
For more information, visit the SHIIP section of the NCDOI website.
To make an appointment with a High Point University SHIIP Counselor, call 336-841-9547.