SHINE / MA Health Insurance



What is SHINE?

The SHINE Program (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers.   The SHINE Program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with elder service agencies, social service and community based agencies and Councils on Aging.
The program is partially funded by the federal agency Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
If you would like to volunteer for the SHINE Program, or are interested in recruiting a SHINE Counselor for your site, please contact your local regional SHINE Program Director at:   1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636).

The Beacon



MassHealth Eligibility Figures Update (2012 Jan 1)

Some of the MassHealth amounts have changed effective 1 January 2012

Can I still change my Medicare Plan [after December 7th]?

Courtesy Emmett Schmarsow, Prog. Mgr. COAs & Senior Centers, ELD   —   for....
Cynthia Phillips, State SHINE Director, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Suite 517, One Ashburton Place, Boston MA 02108   —   Email: Cynthia.Phillips@state.ma.us — Phone: 617-222-7416 — Fax: 617-727-9368

Medicare Enrollment/Choice — Oct 10 to Dec 7, 2011

Please find attached a brief(er), revised notice regarding the annual Medical Enrollment Period to enroll or CHANGE Medicare coverage for next year.   Kindly use this release in lieu of the memo distributed on July 1st.
Again, thank you for your support.
Courtesy Emmett Schmarsow, Prog. Mgr. COAs & Senior Centers, ELD
Does it matter which pharmacy you use?
For some Medicare plans, the pharmacy you use could make a difference in the cost of your drugs!
Here is a quick summary of Medicare changes we will see in 2012
Brand Name to Generic Cost (2011 August)
Medicare Plan Finder (2011 September)
Medicare Part D -- SEPs (2011 September)
Medicare Preventive Benefits (2011 September)
2012 Massachusetts Stand Alone Medicare Drug Plans
2012 Medicare Advantage and SNP — All Counties
2012 Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans


— 2010 —


SHINE Speaker Bookings for October 2010

Dear Colleagues:
    By way of clarification on the start date of upcoming presentations on SHINE related matters, the CLASS Act and the Affordable Care Act, please know that we seek to schedule these educational forums well in advance of the commencement of those programs on October 1st, The sooner you book the presenter, the better your odds are of obtaining the best time(s) for your site.
    You may start the process by calling 1-800-AGE-INFO (or 1-800-243-4636) or you can refer to the attached listing of communities along with the contact information for your SHINE regional office.
    Thank you for your support of SHINE!
Cynthia Phillips
State SHINE Director
Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Suite 517
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Phone:   617-222-7416
Fax:   617-727-9368
Email:   Cynthia.Phillips@state.ma.us



Download Adobe ReaderDocuments on this page require Adobe Reader for viewing.
You may download the program here or on the Reader icon at left.





MCOA Logo   Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging

    116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306, Easthampton MA 01027-2781
    Phone:   413-527-6425       Fax:   413-527-7138

    webmaster — peter@mcoaonline.com