SHINE: Serving Health Information Needs of Elders
SHINE
counselors provide free information, counseling and assistance to Medicare
beneficiaries and elders with questions about:
- Medicare (Parts A, B, C & D)
- Insurance claim forms, questions and appeals
- Medicare supplements ("Medigap")
- Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs)
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicaid & other public benefits
- Prescription Advantage
- Prescription Drug Options
- Other health insurance options
SHINE counselors are trained volunteers available to meet with elders and their families to discuss health care options. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities, or click here to download a fact sheet about becoming a SHINE counselor (Microsoft Word document).
There are SHINE counselors in 54 communities of Franklin County and parts of Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester counties. You can consult with them by phone or meet with them at your area senior center, in your home or at a location that is convenient to you.
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.
Print the Pamphlet (260K PDF)
SHINE Online
The SHINE newsletter, FLASH!, is available on our Resources and Links page. Information is geared to professionals but very helpful to consumers.
Western Regional SHINE Counselors for Franklin & the North Quabbin Area
| Town | Name(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Athol | Allen Lamb, Ruth Black | 978-249-8986 |
| Bernardston | Marian Holbrook, Mickey Paquette | 413-773-5555 |
| Elm Terrace, Greenfield | Jennifer Glover | 413-773-5555 |
| Franklin County Home Care Corp. | Mickey Paquette, Larry Bezio, Pete Rogers, Lucia Russom, Donna Randall Lacey, Cheryl Richardson, Mary Johnson, Marilyn Riechert | 413-773-5555 |
| Frontier Senior Center (Whately, So. Deerfield, Sunderland) | SHINE Staff | 413-773-5555 Ext. 2287 |
| Greenfield - Baystate Franklin Medical Center | Larry Bezio (Tuesdays only) | 413-773-2849 |
| Greenfield Senior Center | Betty Hodas and Mickey Paquette | 413-772-1517 |
| Leverett, Shutesbury, Montague | Cami Elbow, Sarah Boy | 413-773-5555 |
| North Quabbin Region | Tracy Gaudet | 978-544-3481 |
| Northfield | Marian Holbrook | 800-498-4232 |
| Orange | Tracy Gaudet | 978-544-3481 |
| Shelburne Falls Senior Center & West County | Larry Bezio | 413-625-2502 |
| Sunderland, South Deerfield, Montague | Curt Hudson | 413-773-5555 |
| Turners Falls, West County | 413-773-5555 |
Parts of Hampden & Hampshire County SHINE Counselors
| Town | Name(s) | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| All Town Russian Outreach | Lyuba Klurbanova | 413-726-1352 |
| Amherst | Cami Elbow, Council on Aging; Sarah Boy | 413-259-3060 |
| Cummington, Plainfield, Worthington | Lucille Temple Council on Aging |
413-634-2194 |
| Cummington, Plainfield, Worthington | John Bergeron | 413-667-2203 |
| Easthampton | Connie Rackliffe and Judy Imes | 413-527-6151 |
| Florence | Connie Rackliffe | 800-498-4232 |
| Granville, Chester, Tolland, Blandford, Russell & Montgomery | Marilyn Riddle | 800-498-4232 |
| Hadley | Connie Rackliffe, Gladys Kozera Council on Aging |
413-586-4023 |
| Hatfield | Connie Rackliffe Council on Aging |
413-247-9003 |
| Huntington, Chester, Middlefield | Lucille Temple | 800-498-4232 |
| Huntington Hilltown Health Center | John Bergeron | 413-667-2203 |
| Northampton | Lorraine York-Edberg, Lucile Temple, Michelle Dihlmann & Connie Rackliffe | 413-587-1228 |
| Southampton | Connie Rackliffe and Judy Imes | 413-529-2105 |
| Southwick | Marilyn Riddle | 413-569-5498 |
| STAVROS/Amherst | Linda Mason | 413-256-0473 |
| Westfield | Karen Noblit | 413-562-6435 |
| Westhampton | Bruce Callahan Lucille Temple Kerstin Liander |
800-498-4232 413-634-2194 413-268-8407 |
| Williamsburg | Kerstin Liander | 413-268-8407 |
12/4/09
Need SHINE help outside FCHCC service area? Click here for a list of SHINE contacts throughout Massachusetts.