Medicare Counseling / SHINE
Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Medicare Counseling
SHINE assists older adults with health insurance claims, questions, prescription plans comparisons and assistance, and Long-Term Care options and planning.
What is SHINE?
Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE) is a volunteer-based program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) and is operated locally through the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc. SHINE volunteers are trained to offer free, unbiased, and confidential information and counseling concerning Medicare. They help Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to understand their health care options.
Specifically, SHINE volunteers can assist with things like Medicare complaints and appeals, Part D comparisons, providing resources on available financial assistance programs for those that are eligible, and more.
How Can Shine Help?
SHINE counselors provide information, counseling, and assistance on:
- Medicare Eligibility, Enrollment and Coverage Issues
- Medicare Health Plan Choices
- Medicare Appeal Rights
- Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) Policies
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Prescription Assistance Resources
- Benefits available for qualified Medicare beneficiaries to help save money
- Medicare Fraud
SHINE counseling services are provided free of charge by volunteers who uphold client confidentiality and provide information and unbiased advice.
To schedule a personal consultation with a SHINE counselor, contact our Helpline at 866.684.5885.
Unbiased Counseling
Unbiased counseling on Medicare, Medigap, HMO, Medicaid, Prescription Drug Plans, and Long-Term Care Insurance is available. All counseling is first-come, first-serve. Bring with you a list of all your medications, including the dosages of prescription bottles, insurance card, and your red, white & blue Medicare card.
If you are interested in becoming a SHINE volunteer, please visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
SHINE Presentations
SHINE is available to provide information and answer your questions about prescription drug plans and prescription assistance, as well as Medicare, Medigap, HMO, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance options. SHINE speakers are available to address condo and homeowner associations, clubs, civic groups, churches, synagogues, caregivers’ associations, or any other organizations that require guest speakers for their meetings. Some presentations feature video or other multimedia presentations.
SHINE Speaker’s Bureau topics include:
- SHINE Overview/Recruitment
- Medicare 101—An Update of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D
- Medicare Part D—An Introduction (for new enrollees)
- Medicare Part C—An Overview of Medicare Advantage Options
- Long Term Care Planning
- Medicare Fraud/Abuse
- AEP Outreach—Outlives Medicare paths and Election Options
- Financial Assistance
- Preventive Services
- Bridging the Coverage Gap
The speaking engagements are not sales oriented, nor does SHINE represent any commercial organizations or insurance companies.
To request a SHINE presentation, please contact 561-684-5885, ext. 59572 or email Bea Scafidi at bscafidi@aaapbtc.org.