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Health Benefits Counseling (The SHINE Program)

The SHINE Program

The SHINE Program provides free health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers and 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.

 

SHINE counselors are extensively trained and re-certified annually by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Services are available to Massachusetts residents for assistance with Medicare Parts A&B, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D), Medicare Supplement Plans, MassHealth and various assistance programs for people with limited resources. Counselors are hosted at Councils on Aging and other community settings.  Most counselors are volunteers.

 

SHINE counselors can:

  • Help Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers navigate the complex health insurance options.
  • Simplify the language and explain how the components work.
  • Review current coverage; compare costs and benefits of options available.
  • Assist those with limited resources enroll in helpful programs.

For more information about this program, Just Contact Us!