Massachusetts Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone Program (SHINE)

Massachusetts Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone Program or the SHINE program is administered by the state of Massachusetts and provides health care services to elderly people residing within the geographical boundaries of a SHINE care facility. The program consists of a highly trained network of doctors, nurses, and counselors. The SHINE members are recognized by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs who partners with various elder network agencies in the state of Massachusetts to provide healthcare services. The program is available to individuals who are the recipients of the Medicare benefit program or will be eligible soon. These individuals can go to a counselor who can guide them towards a more cost-efficient health care plan.

Whether you have questions about the Medicare program or are confused about making a decision that suits you the best, SHINE counselors can answer all your questions. They can help you find a coverage that is fit for your needs and falls under your insurance coverage. They can help you devise a plan that will help you save money on your medical expenses including health insurance money and drug prescriptions. The SHINE counselors customized your healthcare experience for you and help you to apply for programs that will help reduce your cost of health care for you. The SHINE counselors will also provide referrals where necessary and provide help to fill out the SHINE application forms. These counselors help as medical financial advisors and help you pay lower-cost coverage and help you keep track of your payments as well as prevent any double payments. They also provide you with a written healthcare plan and educate you about your Medicare rights as well as the program’s rules and regulations.

There are around 14 towns in the city of Barnstable, Massachusetts that come under the SHINE program. In the year 2016, around 7500 residents of the Cape Cod area and the nearby islands benefitted from the SHINE program. The residents were given Medicare services by 67 skilled volunteers and highly experienced SHINE counselors in around 25 locations.

The Cape and Islands Regional SHINE program is made possible with funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. In only Central Massachusetts, the SHINE program covers 63 cities and small towns. The SHINE counselors work in not only the hospitals but also in libraries as well as housing centers. You can also request a counselor for a patient who is homebound and unable to visit the counselor’s office. You can find a SHINE counselor in a Senior Centers and Aging Service Access Points (ASAP) office as well as in the Area Agencies on Aging, Councils on aging office in your locality.

The type of Medicare coverage you receive depends on certain factors like your age, income criteria, and health conditions. The Massachusetts SHINE program is available to individuals who are 65 years old or older and are need home-based health care services. The senior citizens who are not currently working or working more than 40 hours each month are eligible to apply for the SHINE program. If you are 65 years old or older with a physical or mental disability and are either in a love term health care facility or waiting to avail of a long-term care facility, then you can apply for the SHINE program.

To learn more about Massachusetts Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone Program (SHINE) you can visit the program’s official website. You can also locate a SHINE counselor or enroll in the program by calling at the following numbers – 1-800-243-4636, (800) 439-2370 (For TTY and ASCII users)

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