Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412240036
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The senior at Lord Botetourt High School used to think that health insurance companies were cold, uncaring and insensitive to claims.
At times, he even thought they might be money-hungry vipers.
No more.
After six weeks in Trigon's educational partnership, Pearson has changed his opinion.
"I think they are concerned, and their employees do care," Pearson said. "They are not trying to rip people off as the public thinks."
Many other students in the educational partnership program said they share his view.
"It has helped me to understand insurance better and how the rates are set," said Mesha Hale, a William Fleming High School senior.
During her six weeks at Trigon's offices in downtown Roanoke, Heather Hale said she observed the company's employees and found them to be courteous and sensitive to claimants.
"I heard the calls and how [the employees] responded," said Hale, also a senior at William Fleming.
Since October, 22 sophomores, juniors and seniors from Lord Botetourt and William Fleming high schools have spent two hours weekly with Trigon employees.
The students have covered such topics as insurance overview, medical terms for consumers, interpersonal skills and managing conflict through teamwork.
The students also were introduced to the health insurance industry as a career.
"We see our partnership as an investment in the work force of the future," said George Thomas, Trigon's human resource director and coordinator for the educational partnership program.
"Our employee volunteerism is time well spent," Thomas said.
The students' teachers also said they believe the program has been beneficial.
"The best part of this program is that the students are learning how to interact with people in the work force," said Terry Elmore, an educator at Botetourt.
"I've seen so much enthusiasm and excitement from them because of the experience."
Elmore said students who were interested in the program were required to complete an application, obtain two recommendations from their teachers and write an essay on why they wanted to participate.
The students completed the six-week program on Dec. 13 and were recognized for their participation.
by CNB