Due to extremely high demand, all Barnstable County SHINE Program appointments for Medicare Open Enrollment are now fully booked for the remainder of the season. We understand how important this time of year is and appreciate your patience.
If you were unable to secure an appointment, free assistance and educational resources are still available.
Missed the November 2 presentation? Watch the recording of SHINE Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know for 2027 to learn more about Medicare Open Enrollment and important considerations when reviewing your coverage.
Watch the November 2 SHINE Webinar Recording
The Massachusetts SHINE Program is offering free virtual Medicare Plan Finder webinars to help Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers compare plans, review prescription drug coverage, and learn how to use Medicare.gov.
English Webinars
Monday, November 9, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6_zl_muKSaSvsOH0zXnV1g
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KXvJF4MuSOegNbvr8sPbPA
Spanish Webinars
Thursday, November 12, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OcE1RnGrTfSvqEGZNI_oUA
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eeLbI9zfS-eVwG049h3b_Q
The SHINE Program has also developed free resources to help beneficiaries review their coverage and explore their options:
Medicare Open Enrollment Guide
A consumer-friendly guide developed by Medicare Interactive.
https://barnstablecounty.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/dept/hs/team/IQAeLGEbdj1ZS7cFyK4EVZqkASCVG0JYOmcIncMeRepgZr0?e=dqtfaC
Recorded Medicare Plan Finder Presentations:
https://youtu.be/RFgjEI3-SZ0
https://youtu.be/FdnHonqsWVQ
Note: Medicare.gov screenshots shown in recorded presentations may differ slightly due to website updates.
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.
Due to extremely high demand, all Open Enrollment appointments at the Barnstable County SHINE Program are now full for the remainder of the season. We understand how important this time […]
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Barnstable, MA — Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 7, giving Medicare beneficiaries an opportunity to review their current coverage and make changes for the coming […]
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