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Helping older adults navigate Medicare options

The SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) program helps Medicare recipients, their beneficiaries, and their family caregivers understand and evaluate their health insurance options.

Trained counselors

SHINE counselors are trained and re-certified annually by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Counselors can meet with adults and caregivers at their local Council on Aging or other community settings to provide unbiased information and assistance. SHINE also provides education in the community for people new to Medicare and during Medicare annual open enrollment.

SHINE counselors can:

Assist Massachusetts residents with Medicare Parts A&B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D), Medicare Supplement Plans, MassHealth, and other assistance programs for people with limited resources
Simplify the language and explain how the components work
Review current coverage; compare costs and benefits of options available
Help those with limited resources enroll in supportive programs

To schedule a SHINE appointment or Medicare workshop, contact the Minuteman Senior Services SHINE program at 781-221-7029 or email SHINE@MinutemanSenior.org.

The SHINE program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with Minuteman Senior Services and is partially funded by the federal Administration for Community Living.