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 2013

SHINE Documents 2013

MassNAELA — News on New Long-Term Care Insurance Law

The letter below, from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA), is to inform seniors on the Long-Term Care Insurance bill signed by Governor Patrick on October 25, 2012 and going into effect now.   This new law is a huge victory for seniors, as it provides benefits to those who are consumers of long-term care insurance.   We hope you will help us in getting the word out to them.   Please feel free to use this letter or the info it contains in your newsletter or other communications to your members.   Many thanks.
Beth Bryant, APR, BBWrites Strategic Communications - For MassNAELA, (O) 508.786.3013

Health Insurance Marketplaces

PROGRESS CONTINUES IN SETTING UP HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACES
Six states who applied early to operate state-based Exchanges are being conditionally approved- meaning they are on track to meet all Exchange deadlines.   These early applicant, early approval states include:   Colorado -- Connecticut -- Massachusetts -- Maryland -- Oregon -- Washington
The Blueprint letters for the Region I state are here and posted online at http://www.healthcare.gov
Blueprint Letter (CT) - http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/ct-blueprint-exchange-letter-12-07-2012.pdf
Blueprint Letter (MA) - http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/ma-blueprint-exchange-letter-12-07-2012.pdf
Other relevant materials posted include:
HHS Secretary Blog - http://www.healthcare.gov/blog/2012/12/marketplaces121012.html
Exchanges/Medicaid FAQs - http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/exchanges-faqs-12-10-2012.pdf
Exchanges/Medicaid FAQs (same file as above but on Medicaid site) - http://medicaid.gov/State-Resource-Center/Frequently-Asked-Questions/CMCS-Ask-Questions.html
FAQ Cover Letter - http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/gov-letter-faqs-12-10-2012.pdf

Medicare's 2012 Open Enrollment Period — October 15 to December 7

HESSCO's SHINE Coordinator on Open Enrollment (Online Video)

Peggy McDonough, SHINE Program Administrator at HESSCO Area Agency on Aging presents information about the new Medicare Open Enrollment with questions and answers from a real audience.

SHINE's Medicare 2013 Updates

The Beacon 2012

MassHealth Eligibility Figures Update (2012 Jan 1)

Some of the MassHealth amounts have changed effective 1 January 2012

— 2011 —


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



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