Due to exceptionally high demand, the Cape Cod & Islands Regional SHINE Office is temporarily pausing new appointment requests. All available in-person and telephone counseling appointments through the Regional Office are currently booked.
Residents who still need assistance are encouraged to contact their local Council on Aging or Senior Center to inquire about appointment availability.
Additional free Medicare education resources remain available:
View the Presentation Schedule and Webinar Information
Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, 2026. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can review their current coverage, compare available health and prescription drug plans, and make changes for 2027.
Barnstable County’s SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to help residents understand their coverage, evaluate plan options, identify potential cost savings, and make informed decisions.
Demand for SHINE services remains exceptionally high across Cape Cod and the Islands. In 2025, more than 3,600 counseling appointments were recorded by December 31.
While Regional Office appointments are currently fully booked, SHINE continues to provide educational resources and presentations to help residents navigate Open Enrollment.
For information about SHINE services, call 508-375-6762. Please note that the Regional Office is not accepting new appointment requests at this time.
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).
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.
To make an appointment with a SHINE Counselor, contact your local Council on Aging, or contact the Regional SHINE Program: (508) 375-6762 or [email protected].
We will respond to all calls and emails in the order in which they are received. Please note that offices are closed on all holidays, and weekends. If this is a Medicare emergency, please call (800) 633-4227.
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:
[email protected]
508-375-6762
508-362-5885 TTY
Contact the Massachusetts SHINE office:
[email protected]
1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) and option 3
Contact your local site:
SHINE Cape & Islands Brochure
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.
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.
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