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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
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
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.
Two lifelines for older adults reach important milestones in 2025 This summer marks major anniversaries for both federal programs. Ninety years ago, on Aug. 14, 1935, Roosevelt signed the Social […]
Read More
As Social Security continues to evolve, staying up to date is more important than ever—especially with major changes taking effect in 2025. Whether you’re currently receiving benefits, planning for retirement, […]
Read More
Join us for a FREE webinar training geared towards social workers and other professionals! This program has been approved for 2 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance […]
Read More
The following was written by Elizabeth Van Wye of the Cape Cod Chronicle. January 30, 2025 If you’ve ever been offshore when a fog bank rolls in, you have an […]
Read More
Did you received a letter from your healthcare provider notifying you that they will no longer be in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Medicare Advantage network next year? Is […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
