SHINE Notice! 

Please be advised that as of October 25, 2024, the Barnstable County SHINE program has reached capacity, and we are unable to schedule appointments.  

If you have questions about United Health Care, please find information here. 

If you have questions about Blue Cross and Blue Shield, please find information here. 

For Open Enrollment assistance please contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE or visit them online at Medicare.gov. 

For MassHealth related matters, please call (800) 841-2900. 


Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 – December 7, 2024

What is SHINE?

Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) provides free and unbiased health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers. SHINE is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. It is partially funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and Barnstable County.

What is a SHINE Counselor?

A SHINE Counselor is a volunteer who is trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in the various options available to Medicare beneficiaries: Parts A, B, and D, Medicare Advantage, supplements/Medigaps. Counselors are also trained in public assistance programs: Prescription Advantage, MassHealth, Extra Help.

How can a SHINE Counselor help me?

  • SHINE Counselors help Medicare beneficiaries, and their caregivers navigate the complex health insurance system and explain how it works in everyday language.
  • SHINE Counselors can compare costs and benefits of options and help enroll in a health insurance program that best fits the beneficiary’s needs.
  • A SHINE Counselor can help people with limited resources enroll in programs that help pay health insurance costs.

To make an appointment with a SHINE Counselor, contact your local Council on Aging, or contact the Regional SHINE Program: (508) 375-6762 or SHINE@capecod.gov.

Are You New to Medicare?

Below you will find a video link and tip guide to get you started. Feel free to contact the Regional SHINE office with any questions, or to set up a telephonic appointment.

Our number is 508-375-6762.

Medicare & You: Flu Prevention

A one minute video about how annual flu vaccinations and Medicare is involved in the effort to limit the spread of the annual flu viruses. Watch video HERE.

medicare and you flu prevention

Beware of Misleading Health Insurance Advertisements

SHINE is very aware of advertising that can often be misleading and result in a beneficiary making changes to their health plans that are not the most beneficial. The state SHINE office produced this video to bring awareness to this advertising.

CAPE COD COUNCILS ON AGING (COA)

Barnstable Council on Aging 508-862-4750
Bourne Council on Aging 508-759-0600 x 3500
Brewster Council on Aging 508-896-2737
Chatham Council on Aging 508-945-5190
Dennis Council on Aging 508-385-5067
Eastham Council on Aging 774-801-3151
Falmouth Council on Aging 508-540-0196
Harwich Council on Aging 508-430-7550
Mashpee Council on Aging 508-539-1440
Nantucket Council on Aging 508-228-4490
Orleans Council on Aging 508-255-6333
Provincetown Council on Aging 508-487-7080
Sandwich Council on Aging 508-888-4737
Truro Council on Aging 508-487-2462
Wellfleet Council on Aging 508-349-2800
Yarmouth Council on Aging 508-394-7606

 

 

About SHINE

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services administers the regional office for the Cape and Islands SHINE Program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone).

  • Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) provides free health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers.
  • SHINE is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies, Councils on Aging, and other public and private community-based organizations.
  • SHINE is a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is partially funded by the Federal Administration for Community Living.  The Cape and Islands Regional SHINE program is also funded by Barnstable County.
shine logo

A SHINE Volunteer Counselor is trained and certified by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in the various options available to Medicare beneficiaries—including Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D), Medigap, Prescription Advantage , MassHealth, and other programs that help people with limited resources pay for health care costs.

  • SHINE Counselors help Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers navigate the complex health insurance system.
  • A SHINE Counselor can explain Medicare options and how Medicare works in everyday language.
  • A SHINE Counselor can help you compare the costs and benefits of Medicare and other health insurance options and help you enroll in a health insurance program that best fits your needs.
  • A SHINE Counselor can help people with limited resources enroll in programs that help pay health insurance costs.

SHINE appointments are free, confidential and available throughout the state at local Councils on Aging, senior centers, elder service agencies, hospitals and other community-based agencies.

Contact the Barnstable County Regional SHINE office:
SHINE@capecod.gov
508-375-6762
508-362-5885 TTY

Contact the Massachusetts SHINE office:
SHINE@state.ma.us
1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) and option 3

Contact your local site:
SHINE Cape & Islands Brochure

Calendar

A direct link to agendas for public meetings will be posted in the calendar event at least 48 hours before the meeting, not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. G.L. c. 30A, § 20(b).

Today

Common Questions for a SHINE Counselor

  • What does Medicare pay for?
  • When should I enroll?
  • How do I avoid a late enrollment penalty?
  • Which parts of Medicare do I need?
  • What is “Medigap” insurance?
  • What is a Medicare HMO or Medicare Advantage plan?
  • Is Medicare Advantage right for me?
  • Which Part D plan will cover my drugs?
  • Can I get help paying my Medicare costs?
  • Do I qualify for MassHealth/Medicaid?
  • Why did I receive a bill after seeing my doctor?
  • How do I appeal a Medicare denial?
  • Why wasn’t my drug paid for when I went to the pharmacy?
  • Will Medicare pay for my nursing home stay?
ship logo

Publications and Data

Barnstable County Department of Human Services provides critical documents, resources, and related links relating to substance use.

Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) provides free health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers.

Related Local Publications and Data

The Official Site for Medicare Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD).

United States Social Security Office Social Security is based on a simple concept: While you work, you pay taxes into the Social Security system, and when you retire or become disabled, you, your spouse and your dependent children receive monthly benefits that are based on your reported earnings. Also, your survivors can collect benefits if you die. For more information read A Snapshot (05-10006).

Click below to view the Cape and Islands Regional SHINE Program, July 2021 fact sheet.

Latest News

Learn More about Medicare: Join an Upcoming In-Person Seminar

Medicare Plan Options: In-Person Seminars Learn about your plan options and get answers to your questions and concerns. In-personseminars also give you the opportunity to hear about issues other people in similar situationsare having and how we respond to them. Past participants have told us they’ve learned a greatdeal by listening to the questions asked […]

Read More

Do you have Medicare? Open enrollment season is HERE! Here’s what you need to know.

SHINE Notice! Please be advised that as of October 25, 2024, the Barnstable County SHINE program has reached capacity, and we are unable to schedule appointments.   If you have questions about United Health Care, please find information here.  If you have questions about Blue Cross and Blue Shield, please find information here.  For Open Enrollment assistance please contact […]

Read More

“County Corner” at Barnstable’s Annual Community Safety Day for Residents Ages 55+ is a Success!

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the Town of Barnstable and the Barnstable Adult Community Center hosted the annual 55+ Community Safety Day, dedicated to bringing safety, educational, and wellness resources to our older adults. The day was a success! Participants enjoyed a fun-filled event packed with valuable information from organizations around the Cape. Barnstable County staff represented […]

Read More

Countdown to Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Should Know

Do you have Medicare? Are you a caregiver for someone who has Medicare? Maybe your health-care needs are evolving. Maybe your life circumstances have changed. Or maybe you just need to find out how Medicare has changed, either to your benefit or disadvantage. The bottom line: you may need to change Medicare plans in order […]

Read More

The Cape Cod Chronicle: Program Sets Sights on Youth, Young Adult Homelessness

BARNSTABLE – In researching the issue of homelessness and housing instability on the Cape and Islands, Barnstable County officials came upon what Dan Gray called a “hidden population,” namely teens and young adults in their early 20s. The county unveiled a new “coordinated community plan” in January that aims to find solutions to the issue […]

Read More

The Cape Cod Chronicle on SHINE: Shining a Light for Seniors

Ryan Bray | Cape Cod Chronicle When Ellenmarie Rhone retired full time to Chatham from New York City with her husband this past summer, one of the first things on her to-do list was to enroll in Medicare. But the process was complicated, even for Rhone, a seasoned human resources professional who dedicated her career […]

Read More
The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.