SHINE

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.

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.

Medicare Open Enrollment During Covid-19

Since early March, the SHINE Program pivoted from providing face-to-face in-person counseling sessions to providing counseling remotely through phone and email. We strive to consistently provide quality one-to-one, personalized counseling through these new avenues while assuring that privacy and confidentiality is maintained. This change is state wide and will be in effect until further notice.

Medicare’s Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (Medicare Prescription) Open Enrollment Period begins on October 15th and ends December 7th for 2021 plan choices. The Cape and Islands Regional SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Program will be scheduling telephonic appointments to review the Medicare coverage options for 2021. Starting late September, you can contact your local COA or the Regional SHINE office to schedule a telephonic appointment.

SHINE Counselors are available via telephonic appointments to provide free and unbiased one on one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries, their family members, caregivers and representatives. The Barnstable County Regional SHINE office can be reached at 508-375-6762 or email SHINE@barnstablecounty.org.

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.