North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin has recognized the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for the 20-county Piedmont Region “County of the Year” award.

SHIIP is a division of the N.C. Department of Insurance that offers free, unbiased information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and other health insurance issues. While SHIIP has a small paid staff, it relies on county coordinators to help organize nearly 1,000 trained volunteers to provide Medicare counseling in all 100 counties in North Carolina.

“SHIIP would not be able to serve our state’s 1.5 million Medicare recipients without the help of our network of volunteers and coordinators,” said Goodwin. “While all of our partners do an outstanding job, we are proud to honor those who stood out for their service this past year. These award winners provide excellent service to North Carolinians, and I’m honored they are a part of our SHIIP family.”

The award was presented by Goodwin and SHIIP Deputy Commissioner Van Braxton to Rowan County coordinators Susan Davis and Steve Simpson on June 25 at the 2015 SHIIP Coordinators’ Training Conference in Greensboro.

“I congratulate all of the 2015 award winners,” Goodwin said. “SHIIP provides a valuable service across the state, and the need for our Medicare counseling will only grow as North Carolina’s Medicare population expands.”

The Rowan County SHIIP is managed and coordinated by the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center Information & Assistance staff and seven certified volunteers.

For more information about SHIIP or to get answers to Medicare questions, call SHIIP directly at 855-408-1212 or visit www.ncshiip.com or the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center at 704-216-7703 or 704-216-7704.