Assistance

SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) funded through the federal agency, Administration for Community Living and administered through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.  Certified counselors are available to assist you with questions about Medicare. Our services are free and unbiased: we are available to discuss all options related to Medicare and additional coverage, and we do not sell any plans.

To make an appointment; call the Senior Center at 508-841-8640, or in Central Mass call the Regional SHINE Office at 508-422-9931. If outside of Central Mass call 1-800-243-4636, press option 4.  A certified SHINE counselor will return your call. Counselors assist clients through in-person appointments, phone, video conferencing (such as Zoom or FaceTime), email, or postal mail. We also offer excellent resources online through our website at www.shinema.org, our Medicare 101 webinars, and our Facebook page: SHINE Central MA.

Counselors

SHINE counselors offer assistance over the phone, as well as in 1-on-1 appointments. To make an appointment to speak to a SHINE counselor, simply call the Council on Aging.

More Information

To learn more about the SHINE program across the state, call 1-800-AGE-INFO.

News from SHINE: March 2022

Prescription Advantage is a state-sponsored prescription drug program administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs for seniors and people with disabilities.  Joining this program can help with your prescription costs.

Prescription Advantage is available to Massachusetts residents who are:

• Age 65 or older, eligible for Medicare, and have a gross annual household income less $64,400 for a single person or $87,100 for a married couple.
• If your annual household income is below $38,640 for a single person and $52,260 for a married couple you get Prescription Advantage at NO COST.
• 65 years of age or older and not eligible for Medicare, or 
• Under age 65, work no more than 40 hours per month, earn no more than the maximum of $24,214 for a single person or $32,750 for a married couple. 

Individuals with comprehensive MassHealth programs or MassHealth Buy-In programs, also known as Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) are not eligible for Prescription Advantage.

Prescription Advantage members are entitled to a one-time Special Election Period (SEP) each year that allows members to join or switch their Medicare drug plan outside of Medicare’s open enrollment period. THIS WILL HELP IF YOU ARE ERRONOUSLY ENROLLED IN A PLAN OR YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR PLAN DURING THE YEAR FOR ANY REASON!

You may apply for Prescription Advantage online, by phone, or by mail. 
To apply online, go to www.prescriptionadvantagema.org 
To apply by phone, call 1-800-243-4636 and press 3 
To apply by mail, send the completed application and copies of your required documentation to: Prescription Advantage P.O. Box 15153 Worcester, MA 01615-0153 or fax to 508-793-1133