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“Older adults are bombarded with TV ads, phone calls and mail advertising all kinds of Medicare benefits,” she said. “The reality is that many of the plans we see on TV are not available to residents on Cape Cod and the Islands.” – Kristina Whiton-O’Brien, SHINE Regional Director
The SHINE Program, which stands for ‘Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone’, serves approximately 6,000 Cape Cod residents each year. In 2024, the program helped save over $350K, which equates to an average savings of $2,200 per participant.
Turning 65? It’s time to make some significant healthcare choices. Here are some important things to consider:
➡️ Start planning THREE MONTHS BEFORE your 65th birthday. This is the start of the ‘Initial Enrollment Period’ or IEP.
➡️ During the IEP, enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to avoid late penalties—unless you have qualifying employer coverage.
➡️ Did you miss your IEP? You can sign up between January 1-March 31 each year. This is called the General Enrollment Period. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up. You might pay a monthly late enrollment penalty, if you don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
➡️ You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) during the GEP. Medicare Advantage offers things that traditional Medicare can’t, like vision or dental insurance.
➡️ Already on Medicare? You can review or change plans during Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7.
➡️ Losing employer coverage, moving out of your plan’s service area, or qualifying for Medicaid/MassHealth, or Extra Help could qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period or SEP.
Confused? Overwhelmed? Schedule an appointment with one of our expert SHINE counselors! Call us at (508) 375-6762 | Email: [email protected]
