SHINE Medicare Counseling

Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders

If you’ve ever needed to choose a health insurance plan, you understand what a complicated process it can be.  SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) counselors help seniors navigate Medicare and make informed decisions about coverage.  SHINE offers free, personalized, unbiased, and confidential Medicare counseling for Florida’s Medicare beneficiaries, as well as their families and caregivers.

SHINE counselors are not affiliated with any insurance companies or agencies.  They neither sell nor recommend insurance of any type.

The Area Agency on Aging’s network of trained SHINE volunteers are available year-round. These counselors can:

• Offer guidance on important Medicare decisions
• Help evaluate Medicare coverage
• Screen for cost savings programs
• Problem-solve
• Assist with claims and appeals

In Southwest Florida, nearly 9,500 seniors took advantage of SHINE assistance last year. SHINE counselors are also available to make educational presentations and participate in community events.  SHINE is part of the federal SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) network.

Did you know that the Medicare and You handbook is now available in a paperless version?  Sign up today to get your digital version of Medicare and You.

Senior Medicare Patrol

SHINE is also part of the national Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program. The SMP is another federal program devoted to assisting Medicare beneficiaries by helping them to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, contact a SHINE counselor through the Elder Helpline.

Find a SHINE Event

Check our events calendar for a SHINE event near you, or visit the Florida SHINE website to find a SHINE counseling site

SHINE is a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs

Helpline Assistance

The AAASWFL Elder Helpline can provide you with more information about SHINE events in your area or assist you with counseling appointments.  You can reach the Helpline by calling 866-413-5337.

Thank you, Volunteers!

Our SHINE volunteers assisted nearly 9,500 Southwest Floridians in 2018.