SHINE: Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone

The SHINE Program is a State Health Insurance Program that provides free, one-on-one health insurance information, counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries of all ages.

The SHINE Program can assist you if you have questions about any of the following:

• Medicare
• Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare HMOs, PPOs)
• Insurance Claim Forms
• Medicare Supplements (“Medigap”)
• Medicaid/MassHealth
• Prescription Advantage
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
• One Care Plans
• Health Insurance Options
• Prescription Drug Options
• Long-Term Care Insurance

SHINE counselors provide assistance in the 54 communities of Franklin County and parts of Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester counties. Some of the services that SHINE counselors provide include:

• Reviewing your current coverage
• Reviewing your eligibility for financial assistance
• Providing health insurance plan comparisons
• Helping prepare health benefit claim forms and applications

You can consult with a SHINE counselor by phone, meet with them at your area senior center, or request that they visit you at home. Counselors are volunteers trained through the SHINE Program. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Please call 800-732-4636, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to find out more about SHINE and SHINE counselors serving your area.

Download the brochure (537 KB PDF)

SHINE Presentation by Lorraine York-Edberg, Western Mass. Regional SHINE Program Director, at the Hatfield Council on Aging, November 17, 2015

SHINE Training Session for Consumers at Greenfield Savings Bank in Turners Falls: I Am New to Medicare, What are My Options?

Western Regional SHINE Counselors for Franklin & the North Quabbin Area

Hampden & Hampshire County SHINE Counselors

Need SHINE help outside of LifePath's service area?

Click here for a list of SHINE contacts throughout Massachusetts.

State Medicare Patrol

Massachusetts SMP Program Success Story: Rita Viens (Word document)