Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida HELPLINE: 866-413-5337
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Medicare Minute: Talking to Your Doctor

This month’s focus is on understanding how to communicate well with your health care provider, know your rights if a provider does not think your care will be covered, seek a second and third opinion if needed, and… Read More

Medicare and Home Health Care

This month’s focus is on understanding what home health care is, knowing when Medicare will cover home health care, understanding what it means to be homebound, and preventing, detect, and report potential Medicare home health fraud and abuse…. Read More

SHINE Medicare Webinars in February 2023

SHINE will be hosting virtual classes for anyone interested in learning more about Medicare. SHINE Webinar Schedule February 2023 (Public) To request SHINE counseling, call the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337 or visit www.floridashine.org to submit a contact request.

Preventive Services

If you’ve had Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit once every 12 months to develop or update a personalized prevention plan to help prevent disease and disability,… Read More

Medicare Enrollment Periods

You can only enroll in Medicare or make changes to your Medicare during certain times of the year. Click here to learn about these enrollment periods, so you can make the most of them. 

What’s New in 2023?

Your Medicare coverage and costs can change each year, so it is important to understand and review your benefits. Click here for an overview of what’s new in 2023 (pdf). If you have questions about changes in costs… Read More

Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplaces

If you are eligible for Medicare, you should not use Marketplace health and drug coverage with two exceptions. It is illegal for someone to try to sell you a Marketplace plan if they know you are eligible for… Read More

How Medicare Works with Military Benefits

Medicare works with other forms of insurance in different ways, depending on the other insurance. Some people are eligible for multiple types of health insurance, including Medicare and military benefits, so it is important to know how they… Read More

Assistance with Medicare Open Enrollment

  Not available on Tuesdays or Thursdays? SHINE counselors are available Monday – Friday to assist you with Medicare’s Open Enrollment and all matters related to Medicare including access to preventive services, cost-saving programs and identifying and reporting… Read More

Medicare Minute: Changing Your Part D Plan

Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, is the part of Medicare that covers most outpatient prescription drugs. Part D is offered through private companies either as a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) for those enrolled in Original… Read More